Kindergarten through Grade 5
An academically purposeful elementary education, with daily General Studies, Hebrew, and Jewish Studies. Students learn to read closely, reason carefully, and express their ideas with confidence.
Visit K–5
Elementary School develops the knowledge and habits students need for sustained academic growth. Reading, writing, mathematics, science, Hebrew, and Jewish learning are taught as serious, connected disciplines.
General Studies, Hebrew, and Jewish Studies are taught each day. Specialist learning and a wider school experience round out a purposeful education.
Reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies build fluency, understanding, and habits of inquiry. Math in Focus, part of Singapore Math and aligned with the Common Core, builds number sense and problem solving through visual models and hands-on materials. Science uses Mystery Science in K–3 and the CIJE curriculum in grades 4–5.
Two tracks serve native Hebrew speakers and students learning Hebrew as an additional language. Materials from Israel connect language with culture.
Chumash and Navi text skills, Jewish knowledge, parashah, Shabbat, and holidays connect study with daily Jewish life.
Art, music, physical education, STEAM, and garden learning offer different ways to create, investigate, and develop skills. These experiences complement the daily academic program.
Hebrew, holidays, and the weekly Torah portion, along with specials, learning support, and enrichment, are shared with Middle School and described on the K–8 Programs page.
Reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies.
Reading is explicitly taught in kindergarten through second grade using the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) Foundations. The program is evidence-based and follows the science of reading. Students are taught to decode phonemes and blend them together into words. Lessons follow a routine and include visual, auditory, and blending skill practice. As lessons build on each other, students apply their skills to “decode” new words and texts.
Students learn to read and analyze text such that they can answer straightforward questions as well as think critically in order to draw conclusions, identify main ideas, give examples of cause and effect, make inferences, find and explain themes, and make connections. Using the CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) curriculum, students read engaging literature and nonfiction texts. Teachers differentiate lessons and materials in order to target students’ needs.
Students learn to write pieces addressing three genres: narrative, informational, and opinion writing. As grade levels rise, so do the expectations of each genre. For example, a first grade opinion writing piece may focus on stating an opinion and defending it with one or more reasons, whereas a fourth or fifth grade opinion writing piece will require a thesis statement, reasons with examples, as well as a foreseen counterpoint the writer will address.
Math in Focus, which is part of Singapore Math, is the core of our elementary math curriculum. It focuses on creating a strong foundation of number sense, math operations, geometry, measurement and data, and problem solving. Concepts are made concrete via visual modeling and hands-on manipulatives. Scaffolded materials provide added support or further extension, depending on the needs of the student. Our program is aligned with the Common Core Math Standards. Students who progress from kindergarten through fifth grade, with proficiency at or above grade-level expectations, are ready for sixth grade math or Pre-Algebra.
Kindergarten through third grade uses the Mystery Science curriculum. Fourth and fifth grades use the Center For Jewish Initiatives (CIJE) Science Curriculum, as it aligns with the CIJE middle school curriculum. Both programs provide highly engaging and hands-on explorations for each concept.
Text skills, Jewish knowledge, and Shabbat.
To ensure a broad foundation of Jewish concepts, we incorporate Chayeinu, a comprehensive program that reinforces essential facts about the Jewish calendar, halacha, and important people, places, & events from Tanach in a kid-friendly, engaging format.
In the lower grades, students celebrate “Oneg Shabbat” parties every Friday, with special songs, tefillot (prayers), and snacks. As students mature, they engage in more sophisticated study of Hilchot (the laws of) Shabbat, learning their practical applications and spiritual purpose.
Hebrew, Chagim, and Parashat HaShavua; music, art, STEAM, physical education, and garden; learning support and academic enrichment; SEL, assemblies, clubs, and sports.
How we support each child
Student Services works with teachers and families to understand learning needs and plan targeted support.
Children develop work habits, communication, and increasing independence as they move through the elementary years.
Hebrew, holiday learning, parashah, and school gatherings connect classroom knowledge to a shared community.
We’ll show you a real school day and answer your questions about placement.
Social Studies
Social Studies is taught with outside resources (e.g. student news publications) and teacher-created materials depending on the topic. Field trips bring the learning to life. For example, second graders may visit City Hall to present their persuasive and community-centered ideas to the mayor, while fourth graders will visit the California foothills to experience a Gold Rush settlement and pan for gold!