Our Curriculum

Our language arts program equips students with tools to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing. The curriculum provides the explicit, systematic instruction students need to develop foundational reading skills. We begin with a focus on phonemic awareness, phonics, and fluency through large and small group instruction. This instruction builds on oral language comprehension and increases in complexity to text reading comprehension. Our 6 + 1 Traits of Writing provides a framework for teaching children the craft of writing. This method focuses on ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation.

Our mathematics curriculum builds a strong foundation for Number Concept, Number Sense, Numeracy, and Proportional Reasoning. Students learn and practice these through the six levels of knowledge: Intuitive, Concrete, Pictorial, Abstract, Application, and Communication. Specific non-negotiables for each grade level outline expectations for mastering numerical relationships. Our emphasis on fluency, and the automatization of skills, facts, and procedures, equips students to apply their learning in mathematics, as well as other disciplines and life.

Students explore essential questions and thematic units at each grade level to form a foundation of historic, geographic, and cultural skill and understanding. In sequential order from grades 1-5 these units are: Our Place in the World; Exploring Who We Are; Our Communities; Regions of the United States; and Making a New Nation in the United States. Students develop important skills as they engage in rich opportunities to inspect, find evidence, and make connections using nonfiction articles, primary sources, maps, infographics, diagrams, illustrations, photographs, and other images.

To develop the whole child, students need a variety of scholastic experiences. In addition to our core curriculum, we offer a variety of high quality resource classes taught by a dedicated teacher: art, library, music, physical education, science, and Spanish.

Throughout the lower school years, our art curriculum emphasizes the study and use of line, color, shape, form, and visual composition. These elements of art are an important part of the creative process. The goal of the art program is to develop the creative abilities of each student through various methods and media.

Developing a love of reading in all students is essential to literacy and to lifelong learning. All grade levels participate in librarian-led instruction and “check-out” times on a weekly basis. The lower school has an extensive and diverse collection of classics and current, relevant, relatable materials. Our library promotes a culture that values the joy of reading and the importance of literacy.

Music is rich in choral, instrumental, and rhythmic experiences. Students sing varied literature, explore new music concepts, hone Orff instrument skills, and engage in developmentally appropriate movement. Annual grade level concerts showcase our students’ talents and provide an opportunity for students to be on stage, further building their confidence as public speakers and performers.

Kindergarten
Global Songs & Rhythms including multiple languages from different continents

1st
Voices of Values PHS Core Values Songs written by 5th grade students

2nd
Children of the World Children’s songs from around the world

3rd
Let the Whole World Shine Songs about Nature & Native American culture

4th
Coming to America Celebrations and festivals from around the world

5th
Lift Every Voice & Sing Songs about and for people regarding voice, compassion & empowerment

In addition to students’ physical development, our physical education program also focuses on students’ social, emotional, and cognitive development. Through a variety of activities, students learn motor skills and movement patterns, develop respect and sportsmanship, and build the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a healthy and physically active lifestyle.

Beginning in first grade, a dedicated science instructor teaches our students in a lab environment. The program embraces a curiosity-driven learning process in which students and teachers interact with and question the natural world. The curriculum builds a strong foundation in general science knowledge, the scientific method and real-world problem solving. Students learn to celebrate uncertainty, take risks, make connections, and work collaboratively.

Kindergarten
Seasons and Change, Animal Life Cycles

1st
Under Construction, Force & Motion, Animal Adventures

2nd
Chemistry, Sound and Light Physics, Land Formations and Bodies of Water

3rd
Living & Non-Living Needs, Habitats, Heat & Light Energy

4th
Human Body Systems, Simple Machines, Inventions, Electricity

5th
Physics, Chemical Properties and Changes, Cell Theory

We believe that quality second language acquisition requires students to be actively engaged in a learning environment with routine and intentional uses of the target language. Our teachers speak primarily in Spanish while connecting their instruction to our core curriculum. Teachers also incorporate culture as they highlight customs, holidays, and festivals around the world.

The counseling program at PHS is rooted in three pillars 1) Emotional Competency & Self-Compassion, 2) Neuroscience & Mental Health, 3) Balance & Boundaries. The counselor facilitates lessons related to these topics in each classroom, sparking thoughtful discussions while enhancing social-emotional development.