Elementary School
AESA's elementary school is composed of children in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. Students engage in meaningful coursework in a nurturing environment that sparks their curiosity and desire to understand the world around them.
We believe in creating a developmental balance in a young child's life and employ a low-technology philosophy. All elementary students have abundant unstructured outdoor play incorporated into their day, as research shows this is crucial for a healthy development.
Classes are small and average a 10:1 teacher-to-student ratio. Core academics are based on National Standards, and all students participate in a variety of enriching special area subject classes.
Opening in the Fall of 2024, AESA's Elementary School will be in a beautiful new space built specifically for their community. It will include a Library, STEM Lab, Art & Music Studio, Learning Lab, Gardens, and Spacious new classrooms.
Lower Elementary
Kindergarten-1st Grade
Students in the lower elementary spend their day in self-contained classrooms specifically designed for the primary learner. They have one teacher dedicated to their core curriculum of ELAR, Math, World Explorers, and Science. They also have a variety of special area classes including Art & Music, Physical Education, and Library. Advanced prekindergarten students are eligible for enrollment in our lower elementary.
Upper Elementary
Second-Fifth Grade
Students in the upper elementary rotate through their day with course-specific teacher experts. These rotations include core curriculum classes; ELAR, Math, World Explorers, and Science. They also have a variety of special area classes including Art & Music, Physical Education, and Library. They end each day with an assembly, allowing them to connect to their Head of School and the entire elementary community.
Elementary Academics
English, Language Arts and Reading
Our elementary English, Language Arts, and Reading program embraces a structured literacy model to foster comprehensive literacy skills. Through explicit reading instruction, students engage in phonemic awareness, decoding strategies, and fluency development. Comprehension and Vocabulary skills are honed through scaffolded activities and guided discussions. Handwriting practice emphasizes proper letter formation and legibility, supporting foundational writing skills. Grammar instruction focuses on sentence structure, parts of speech, and language conventions, integrated seamlessly into writing activities that encourage creativity and clarity. We also foster a literacy-rich environment that nurtures a love for reading and writing while cultivating critical thinking and expression.
Science
Our elementary science program is rooted in inquiry-based learning aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), guiding students through a dynamic exploration of the natural world. Students actively engage in the scientific method, developing hypotheses, conducting experiments, and analyzing results to deepen their understanding of scientific concepts. Hands-on labs are a cornerstone, providing opportunities for practical application and discovery. Through maintaining science journals, students document their observations, reflections, and conclusions, fostering critical thinking and communication skills. By encouraging curiosity and exploration, our program not only cultivates a profound appreciation for science but also prepares students to become informed and empowered problem-solvers in an increasingly complex world.
Mathematics
Our elementary mathematics program is built upon the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' five content standards: Numbers and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis and Probability. Teachers employ a concrete, pictorial, and abstract teaching approach to ensure deep understanding. Hands-on materials and real-world applications are integral, enabling students to explore mathematical concepts through tactile experiences and visual representations. Emphasis is placed on developing strong number sense and problem-solving skills, empowering students to apply mathematical concepts in diverse contexts. By integrating these elements, our program not only equips students with foundational mathematical knowledge but also fosters a lifelong appreciation for the relevance and beauty of mathematics in their everyday lives.
Social Studies
Our elementary social studies program, World Explorers, embraces an inquiry-based approach rooted in the C3 Framework presented by the National Council of Social Studies. Students engage in immersive exploration of global cultures and histories, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and participatory skills essential for active global citizenship. Emphasizing the integration of global languages and cultures, our curriculum encourages students to appreciate and respect diversity while developing a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all the world's people. Through World Explorers, students not only gain knowledge of historical events but also cultivate empathy, perspective-taking, and a sense of responsibility as informed citizens of their city, state, nation, and world.
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Literacy Commitment:
Literacy is the gateway to all other academic subjects. As such, AESA's elementary program has a firm commitment to employing the most efficacy-based teaching methodology of the language arts. AESA's structured literacy model is explicit and direct and is based on the five key components outlined by the National Reading Panel; phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Our goal is for our students to leave elementary school with the reading and writing skills necessary to be successful at the highest level in middle and high school. We also provide dedicated support to students with literacy struggles, including students with dyslexia. Our classrooms and community are literacy-rich, creating inviting spaces for students as they grow and learn to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers.