Elementary•Middle School

All students participate in physical education classes on an every-other-day schedule. These classes are designed to support the development of the whole child, providing opportunities for students to build physical literacy through skill development, fitness, cooperative activities, and personal and social growth.

Aligned with the SHAPE America National Standards, our program emphasizes:

• Standard 1: Students demonstrate competence in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.
  Each class includes structured opportunities to practice both basic and advanced motor skills through fitness activities, games, and sport-based units. Students engage in skill development for a range of team and individual sports, including soccer, rugby, and racquet sports.
• Standard 2: Students apply knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics related to movement and performance.
  Students learn movement strategies and techniques to improve performance and participate effectively in different game environments. They are encouraged to reflect on how to move efficiently, apply offensive and defensive strategies, and adapt to changing conditions during gameplay.
• Standard 3: Students exhibit responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.
  Through participation in Project Adventure activities, cooperative games, and team-building challenges, students practice communication, collaboration, and leadership. Emphasis is placed on respectful participation, following directions, resolving conflict, and contributing to a positive class environment.
• Standard 4: Students recognize the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.
  The curriculum fosters a positive attitude toward movement and play. Students are exposed to a variety of physical activities that promote enjoyment and personal achievement, encouraging them to find meaningful and motivating ways to be active both inside and outside of class.

By aligning with national standards, our physical education program not only builds physical competence, but also promotes confidence, cooperation, and a lifelong appreciation for physical activity.

Art of the imagination is an elective class exploring the ways artists see, interpret, and create the world around them using their imagination. Students are asked to draw upon their imaginations with guided prompts and technical drawing support in order to create original works of art. Likewise, students are encouraged to write about their inspirations to reference later. A typical class schedule involves a review of the agenda and a short art demonstration, followed by independent studio time with one-on-one teacher support. Throughout the semester, students will be introduced and taught a variety of artistic mediums including sketching, pen-and-ink drawing, collage, and watercolor.

Artful Woodworking emphasizes the mastery of hand tools, offering students comprehensive instruction on using hand saws, block planes, and carving chisels with precision. In an environment where respect and safety are paramount, the course engages students in innovative woodworking projects. Each project is discussed in detail, covering every phase from conception to completion, ensuring a thorough understanding of the craftsmanship involved. Students develop an artistic eye for design and craftsmanship. Through hands-on projects, they gain an understanding of wood as a medium, including its properties, textures, and potential for creative expression. 

Students learn the fundamentals of computer repair, including practical skills to troubleshoot and resolve common computer issues. Students will learn about hardware and software components, basic networking concepts, and customer service skills required for a help desk environment. Through hands-on activities and projects, students will develop problem-solving and critical thinking abilities in the context of computer repair.

The Let’s Play: Board Games elective promotes teamwork, patience, and sportsmanship. Classic games, such as Monopoly, Life, and Dominoes, help students with executive function skills (e.g., planning, organizing, making decisions). Collaborative games encourage players to team up and work together. Students learn to play by the rules and use coping skills when faced with losing. Students are encouraged to use strategy while taking turns, following directions, and recognizing social cues. 

Students in makers’ studio design a project of their choosing within the realm of art, technology, or building. After following the design process, students develop their projects and problem solve issues along the way. Students can design and create jewelry, woodworking projects, computer code, and more. The makers’ studio is a space where students can turn their imaginations into reality.

Students in the music elective actively engage in playing familiar, accessible songs using instruments such as the drums, guitar, and bass, and they often add vocals to enhance their performance. The class practices collaboratively, with an emphasis on rhythm patterns, accurate timing, and ensemble coordination. As students progress, they expand their musical understanding through the increased use of chords, an introduction to scales, and exploration of major and minor chord structures, often using the piano as a foundational tool.

To deepen their musical appreciation and context, students also engage in brief explorations of diverse genres and traditions—such as jazz, blues, and traditional Celtic music. 

In this hands-on, exploratory elective, students will deepen their understanding of the natural world—starting with the plants all around them. Through indoor planting projects and outdoor investigations, students will learn how different plant species grow, survive, and support ecosystems. They'll dig into the science (and the mess!) of composting, discovering how food waste can become rich soil and why that matters for the planet.

Students will expand their sense of what a "classroom" can be. By stepping outside and engaging with their environment, they’ll develop a greater appreciation for nature and their role in caring for it.

Students will explore how to use a camera (digital and SLR) or phone to take photos which are well composed and utilize different techniques (macro, perspectives, rule of thirds, portrait). Students will understand ISO, shoot in manual and auto, and create uniquely composed photos based on a technique. Our goal will be to publish and showcase several photos taken by the students each semester.

In the pottery elective, students use a low-fire, earthenware clay to learn the steps necessary to hand build coil pots, slab pots, and use clay molds. They also have the opportunity to “throw” on the potter's wheel. Students use various colors and consistencies of glaze to coat and add texture to their pots. Students learn how the kiln works to first bisque fire their pottery and then glaze fire their final pieces. Emphasis is placed on learning when to self-advocate for help with a specific technique, using pottery-specific vocabulary for materials and tools, supporting classmates through their own artistic successes and failures, and enjoying the time to be creative.

STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. This elective class explores a wide range of topics that are designed to stimulate discussion and problem-solving. Lessons may include exploring the chemical reactions, engineering challenges, and hands-on learning. Topics are presented orally and supported with visuals to provide students with examples and illustrations. The class is given time to share their knowledge and collaborate on each project and activity.

Yoga is an elective class where students are introduced to the many benefits that a consistent yoga practice provides. Students practice a combination of breathing, relaxation, positive thinking, and poses called asanas. They learn and practice the basic foundations of a yoga practice that can help support balance, strength, and body awareness. Students are introduced to a variety of poses to establish a firm foundation. They also participate in guided meditations and are introduced to mindfulness practices to promote self-awareness and positive thinking.