Elementary Years
(Grades 2-7)
Building on Early Foundations
In the Elementary Years, students extend the skills, routines, and understandings developed in Kindergarten and Grade 1. Their learning deepens through authentic academic, social, and outdoor experiences that connect them meaningfully to the world around them.
Community Partnerships and Place-Based Learning
Students root themselves more deeply in the community through ongoing partnerships with local experts in history, arts, geology, biology, farming, paddling, climbing, biking, and nordic skiing.
- Grades 2–3: Seasonal outdoor learning at Mission Creek Park integrates academic skills with outdoor routines.
- Grades 4–7: Land-based learning continues at Mission Creek Park and Helen’s Acres Community Farm, where students engage in service-learning through farming and food systems in partnership with local farmers, Chef Scott, and Balsam educators.
Long-term relationships with local partners and places give students repeated opportunities to practice and grow, moving beyond introductory experiences to deep skill development.
Academic Routines and Inquiry-Based Learning
Robust academic practices in Literacy and Numeracy help students develop as readers, writers, and mathematical thinkers.
Resources include:
- Jolly Grammar & Heggerty
- Adrienne Gear’s Reading & Writing Power
- Singapore Math & Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics
Through concept-based inquiry, students create questions, investigate, and put their learning into action. This process helps them reflect on their growth and refine their understanding over time.
Social and Emotional Learning
Social-emotional Development Remains Central. Using the UN Rights of the Child as a guide, students and teachers ground conversations in empathy, respect, and responsibility. Balancing high expectations with daily mindfulness and rest supports students in stretching themselves socially, emotionally, mentally, and physically. The development of both school and classroom communities where norms are clearly communicated and upheld creates a safe and supportive environment for students to develop pro-social skills and continue to take risks in their learning.
The School Day
The school day for our early years students is a blend of structured learning, outdoor activities, community visits, and mindfulness practices. To learn more about our daily routines, see our Core Routines.
Preparing for the Future
By the end of the Elementary program, students carry with them:
- A strong sense of place and connection to community, with both the human and the more-than-human world.
- Awareness of how local actions influence global outcomes.
- A deep understanding of themselves as learners and leaders.
- The capacity to manage themselves and the seasons, fostering active, healthy living year-round.
- The lived experiences of an active lifestyle and recreation in all seasons.
- The resilience, confidence, and competencies to succeed in future education and beyond.
only learn behind a desk when 
you can
learn 
outside?