Elementary School
Students in Elementary experience intense physical and intellectual growth and a great curiosity and need to discover. Our Elementary Program provides a warm, caring, family-like learning environment as students engage in diverse, rich learning.
Our curriculum builds on the cognitive and social skills students learn in our Early Childhood Program, adding to the foundation of knowledge and abilities essential to their success in higher grades. Our dual language program aims to develop students’ bilingualism and biliteracy, academic achievement, and cross-cultural competencies. They study subjects in Portuguese and English while developing academic proficiency in both languages.
Programs are developmental in nature and recognize individual differences in learning styles and the pace at which each student develops. Classes are limited to 25 students, and each class receives the support of a teacher’s aide.On a typical day, students study English, Portuguese, mathematics, science and social studies. Trained, bilingual, elementary mathematics teachers teach math in special classrooms. Students also enjoy classes in physical education, moral education, music, art and nutrition and visit the library regularly. All classes help cultivate respect, cooperation, friendship and other virtues, which we refer to as Virtues for Life. Carefully designed lessons and service projects provide students opportunities to work together and to learn from others within the local community. Projects focus on developing ethical, altruistic leaders during the formative years of elementary school.
Interdisciplinary projects help develop students’ talents and encourage cooperation, unity and appreciation for diversity by addressing a wide variety of themes, such as moral values, health, ecology, cultural pluralism, peace, and the physical, emotional and cognitive changes that are hallmarks of the elementary years.
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Grade 2
Grade 2 is a time of many changes – a new campus, new routine and new knowledge gained. Students take part in the Transition Project as they leave Early Childhood and enter Elementary School. The main focus in Grade 2 is to consolidate linguistic skills in both reading and writing. Students participate in all events in Elementary – Civics Hour, the Science Fair, Spirit Day, the Talent Show, etc. Click here to access a Map Road for Mathematics in this grade.
Grade Project: Antiques Exhibit
Grade 3
Students in Grade 3 improve skills learned – legibility, verb conjugation, reading rhythm, synonyms, use of paragraphs, etc. Grade 3 students take part in the school choir and take on more responsibility for their actions. They get involved in leadership projects and hands-on activities. Click here to access a Map Road for Mathematics in this grade.
Grade Project: Brazil and its Regions
Grade 4
Student success depends partly on study habits. At this age, gradually implementing healthy behaviours through systematic repetition help make such habits become part of the student's routine. In Grade 4, students are expected to think more deeply and demonstrate their critical thinking in the Science Fair and other projects. Click here to access a Map Road for Mathematics in this grade.
Grade Project: The Federal District Project
Grade 5
In Grade 5, students become fluent and are able to read and write in both languages. They become more independent, think critically, become more responsible and organized and engage in bigger projects such as creating a newspaper. Students also prepare to enter Middle School and, once again, are immersed in their new routine through the Transition Project. Click here to access a Map Road for Mathematics in this grade.
Grade Project: Water Project
The English/Portuguese as an additional or second language programs (EAL/ESL & PAL/PSL) for 2nd through 5th grade are designed for students who have limited or no language skills in either or both languages. When students enroll, they are evaluated by one of the school’s English and/or Portuguese coordinators after which EAL/ ESL and/or PAL/PSL classes are recommended.
The student remains in the Program until he or she can communicate successfully with teachers and classmates and has acquired functional reading and writing skills.