“The students’ ability to work in teams and in a collaborative fashion is unreal. They are so mature and nuanced for their age and have internalized these lessons so that when they get into the workforce these skills will be invaluable.” Parent of Primary, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary students.
The goal of the Elementary program at Mountain Shadows is to support children in deepening their interest in the earth and culture in which they live and to assist them in learning how to work gainfully with others. The children’s new ability to use reason and imagination allows them to explore and discover in a more abstract way. This allows the children to develop an appreciation for our world and encourages them to become a contributing member of their community.
The curriculum for this age group is both outlined and introduced to the children with five “Great Lessons” that address the creation of the universe, the evolution of life on earth, the beginnings and history of humans, mathematics, and languages. We give these presentations through stories that are meant to inspire the children to find out more for themselves through investigation and research.
The subjects of geography, mathematics, language, history, ecology, biology, zoology, music, and art are studied during these six years.
Experiential Education
Supervised “Going Outs”, or field studies, are student-inspired to pursue a study of deep interest to an individual or small group of children and expands opportunities for the developmental accomplishments of this age group.
Students in first through third grades visit nearby Cal-Wood Education Center for three days and two nights.
Rotating weeklong experiential education trips for students in fourth through sixth grades is the culmination of classroom studies. Recent trips have included Washington D.C., the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program, and Grand Tetons Science School.