Elementary

K-1 is a traditional, developmentally appropriate kindergarten program designed to provide the child with a gift of time to facilitate growth in all aspects: academically, socially, emotionally, intellectually, physically, linguistically, and spiritually.

The goal of the program is for each child to increase confidence and independence in their abilities as they strengthen their skills in an activity-based academic classroom environment. Students are provided opportunities to participate in whole and small group learning as well as independent learning experiences.

Our year focuses on zoo-phonics instruction that leads to reading short vowel words and math which starts with number sense and progresses to basic addition and subtraction skills. Additionally, K1 students participate in music, library, and P.E. classes each week.

As a result, children who complete the K1 program are confident, independent, motivated learners who have matured authentically and are ready for success in the next level of kindergarten and their entire academic career.

To learn more about the K-1/K-2 program, please visit our Kindergarten at Grace webpage.

K-2 is a well-rounded academically accelerated kindergarten program.  Here, we bring together the emotional, social, academic, and physical dimensions of a child, while integrating the spiritual truths of God’s Word into all subjects. 

In language arts, the focus is on teaching each child to read.  Reading, vocabulary, sight words, and phonics are all learned and practiced, and students begin decoding consonant-vowel-consonant words within the first month or two of the school year.  By the end of K-2, students are decoding more complex sounds such as consonant blends and digraphs. 

Students learn about the Bible through memorizing verses, learning Godly character traits, and focusing on characters in both the Old and New Testaments. 

Math is practiced through a variety of modalities including worksheets, hands-on manipulatives, and group instruction.

Science, social studies, and art provide a monthly theme in which students can use their five senses, creativity, and hands-on learning to understand how these subjects relate to the world around them. 

The goals of K-2 are to help students to work independently and master these subject areas.  This will enhance each student’s confidence and provide that important foundation for their future academic success.

To learn more about the K-1/K-2 program, please visit our Kindergarten at Grace webpage.

First grade builds a strong academic foundation specifically in language and math. The language arts curriculum gives students a foundation for developing confidence and fluency in reading, phonics, and writing. In math, students build knowledge in the areas of number sense, basic computations, and problem-solving with hands-on manipulatives to enhance understanding. There is a daily emphasis on the importance of God’s truths through Bible stories, verse memorization, and prayer. Students begin to develop a Biblical worldview as they learn about important historical events and different communities around the world and see God's beauty in creation through observation and hands-on learning in science.

Second-grade students are nurtured in a loving environment to allow them to grow spiritually, academically, and socially. We aim to teach a solid foundation in the skills that are necessary for their future academic success, specifically in reading, writing, and arithmetic. We also introduce them to the world around them through science and social studies. However, it is our passion to educate the children in the understanding that true wisdom comes from the Lord. So while a strong academic base is our goal, we weave the fact that the hand of God is present in every area of learning.

Third grade, in many ways, is one of the most important years in elementary school education. First and foremost, it acts as a transitional year as the children move from lower to upper elementary academics. Third grade is the bridge that prepares the students academically and organizationally for their first step along their educational path, laying the groundwork for future habits. For example, in mathematics, we will learn multiplication and division which lay a foundation for algebra and geometry. In history, the students will learn about the amazing founding of our great country and its founding fathers so they understand where our country came from and the principles it was founded upon. In English, students learn foundational concepts about sentence and paragraph structure which leads them to be future writers. Alongside the expanded coursework, students are also presented with new responsibilities such as their desks to work at and organizing an agenda book to keep track of their assignments, and their own Bible to study God’s Word. 

Fourth grade is a year of adventure where the students grow within the classroom setting but experience what they learn in person with our exciting field trip to San Francisco and Sacramento. In this way, the students learn about the history of our great state but also get to experience it in person by panning for gold along the American river, touring the capitol building in Sacramento, and viewing the Golden Gate bridge on their way to Alcatraz Island. In language, we translate those experiences into our writing curriculum. Students are taught the fundamentals of writing but also how to expand their vocabulary to write creatively. Throughout the year our goal is to develop our students’ academic maturity by teaching them responsibility and good work habits to prepare them for upper elementary and begin to lay the foundation for Junior High.

Our fifth-grade curriculum is designed to prepare students to succeed and mature both socially and academically. Our students learn about concepts like grace, holiness, sin, and obedience in our Bible curriculum which helps them to grow in their knowledge of God’s Word and how to live character-filled lives. Our language arts program continues with the Excellence in Writing curriculum to continue to develop our students as great communicators and thinkers. In math, the students begin to work through algebraic concepts, training their minds to think logically and in a complex fashion developing their higher-level thinking skills.

The sixth-grade curriculum and schedule are designed to prepare students academically for Junior High. Students will begin the day in their homeroom and rotate classrooms throughout the day. The Bible curriculum concentrates on preparing students for God’s perfect plan for mankind. Students are taught that the Bible's accounts are fact and that the Bible is used as the final authority in all guided discussions. English is broken into two main components: grammar and writing. Literature, spelling, and vocabulary are cross-curricular being incorporated into English, history, science, and Bible. The Excellence in Writing program is utilized to help students develop skills to help them be able to express themselves more clearly and creatively. The math curriculum is designed to offer complete coverage of California’s grade 6 standards all while reviewing standards from previous skills. History will take students on an in-depth tour of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Israel, the Indus Valley, China, Greece, Rome, and the Byzantine Empire. The science curriculum will develop and use skills through conducting research, writing, and making oral presentations to understand the physical world around us according to how God planned it.

The goal of our school library is to ensure that all members of our school community have equitable access to books and reading, information, and to information technology. With over 10,000 titles in our library, we can supply all the needs of the students and their grade curriculum.

During the year there are several reading enrichment programs such as the "Million Word Club" and the "Top Reader" program to encourage reading. Book Fairs are conducted twice a year in conjunction with Grandparent's Day. The library is open before and after school for the children to check out books and take Accelerated Reading Tests.

All classes have Fine Arts each week. In music the children learn theory, experience ear training, do creative movement, and compose on rhythm instruments. Students will be introduced to master composers and their music. They will learn to sing in tune and understand stage presence through Christmas programs and the Spring concert.

In Art, students learn about elements of art and different mediums, and are introduced to a variety of famous artists.

In Computer Lab our students learn to master touch typing and are introduced to Google Suite so they understand how to use Google Classroom, docs and slides to complement what they are doing in the classroom.  Students are given time to take Accelerated Reading tests and to keep track of their own reading goals.  Fourth through sixth grade will use the computer lab to complete projects from their in-class curriculum.  Starting in 3rd-grade students are also introduced to basic coding skills.

The focus of our Physical Education curriculum is motor skill development, health fitness, play, physical movement concepts, and discipleship in a Christian lifestyle. Our program is built on the premise that Physical Education is an educational process that seeks to develop competency, understanding, and commitment in and to health fitness, motor proficiency, and physical movement.

The Physical Education department has a scope and sequence based on goals and objectives that are appropriate for all students. It includes a balance of skills, concepts, games, rhythms, and sports designed to improve their muscular strength and endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and to enhance the cognitive, motor, and physical fitness development of every student.