Because our students graduate to both public and private schools, we make sure they have the academic skills to succeed on their grade level. We administer standardized tests in the upper grades (4-6); our students average 1.5 years above grade levels in math and 1 year above grade level in reading.

The elementary grades are multi-age, with a maximum of 12 students per teacher. Each class has a teaching team of two teachers who have different strengths and talents and who cooperate to provide each child the appropriate challenge. Primary class is made up of grades 1-3, and Intermediate by 4-6, and sometimes one or two seventh-graders. Third graders regularly join the intermediate class for drama and p.e., enjoying being with the older children, and smoothing their transition to the intermediate class in fourth grade.

Students receive twice-weekly Spanish instruction. They have either drama, yoga, art, or dance weekly. alternating during the year. Like Spanish, physical education is a continuous class during the year. The emphasis is on movement, fun, and fitness, rather than competitive sports. Students enjoy participating in skits and an occasional play or musical. Many of our students also compete in soccer, swimming, and other after-school sports.

One of the advantages of having a flexible curriculum is that we can adjust to the needs and interests of the students. Often a unit of study just happens; it is born out of a moment of inspiration when curiosity and interest are ignited and enthusiasm takes over. William Butler Yeats said, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."

For example, during the study of early civilizations, students became wildly interested in ancient Egypt, which culminated in our class planning and experiencing a day in the life of an Egyptian. Each student researched, dressed, and acted the part of a particular member of Egyptian society. We ate Egyptian food, played Egyptian games, made Egyptian art, and wrote in hieroglyphics.

Field Trips

The primary class enjoys at least one field trip a month. They go to plays at the Oregon and Northwest Children’s Theaters, attend the excellent Oregon Symphony’s Kinderkonzert series, and, of course, visit the zoo and OMSI when there is an exhibit that goes along with their studies, for example, dinosaurs.
The intermediate class also attends plays, and goes on overnight field trips. One of our favorite destinations has been Bend where we visit the John Day National Monument museum and the High Desert Museum. Overnight field trips provide an opportunity for children to work together and to enjoy nature together. Often children who do not excel in academics will excel on the cooperative and social skills needed for a successful trip experience.

Learning Compassion and Interconnectedness

Each day, class begins with a circle time when we engage in activities to open the heart, uplift the energy, and focus, centering the children within themselves and their hearts. Circle may include songs, concentration games, sharing, and/or yoga.

There is a great deal of both play and work among different ages. Older students are very fond of making things and leaving them anonymously for the younger kids to find, particularly at holiday times. For example, students made heart-shaped cookies and left them in the kindergarten on Valentine's Day.

The elementary classes have two outdoor recesses daily, one at mid-morning snack, and one at lunch time. Children of different ages often play together on the playground. The younger children benefit by getting respect and recognition from the elder; older children benefit by learning to be considerate of those more vulnerable and to use their power to be helpful.