Upper Elementary: 4th, 5th & 6th grades
What is the Upper Elementary program like?
Our Upper Elementary program supports academic experience, exploration, and individual progress, while providing for the social and imaginative development so vital to children 9–12 years old.
With guidance from teachers, students take ownership of their academic journey and play an important role in designing their own educational plan.
Learning takes place in varied ways, including direct instruction by the teacher, individual and group work with peers, and independent efforts by the students.
Students use concrete, hands-on math materials to work toward the abstraction of math concepts, naturally formulating rules and formulas themselves.
Students develop strong language skills through research, outlining, report writing, public speaking, and project work.
Cultural studies offer students a panoramic view of the universe and a sense of humanity across time.
The value of work is not so much determined by results as by the process the students has used to attain the result.
It is the journey, not the destination, that matters most.
Upper Elementary FAQ
How do parents see student progress?
At Inly, we value academic, social, and practical skills. While high standards are upheld in all areas, a love of learning for its own sake is essential to our school’s philosophy.
Our Elementary curriculum is not graded. Instead, academic progress is observed according to a specific sequence of skills in each subject area.
Twice per year, teachers complete very detailed progress reports on each student. These reports are sent home to parents and discussed at conference time. A verbal mini-conference is held mid-year.
Teachers will always arrange a time to talk with you if you have any concerns.
Parent meetings and seminars on Montessori education at each level of child development are an integral part of our school’s culture.
Each year, elementary students in grades 3–6, take nationally recognized standardized tests. We view test results as one assessment tool, to be considered in conjunction with all of a student’s school work.
What are the results of the Upper Elementary program?
Our Upper Elementary students...
- become confident, self-respecting individuals who possess a love of learning.
- learn to initiate and complete work independent of constant teacher direction.
- progress from concrete experiences to abstract awareness.
- seek real understanding, and study to learn, not just to get good grades.
- tend to be leaders, helpers, and creative thinkers, as well as problem solvers.
- take responsibility for themselves and for each other.
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are prepared for the rigor of Middle School.
• Strengthen language skills through research, report writing, public speaking and projects
• Focus on Spanish verb tenses, Spanish writing and conversation
• Act in a school play or musical once a year
• Study Ancient, World and American Civilizations through research projects and the arts
• Combine Montessori math with textbooks and worksheets
• Multiply and divide fractions and decimals
• Explore geometry
• Hone time-management and organizational skills
• Continue to find joy in learning every day