Elementary School (K-5th)
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Our kindergarten through 5th grade program is designed to nurture the whole child as they grow in confidence and capability. With a strong emphasis on foundational skills in reading, writing and math, students are guided by caring, skillful teachers who help them build the tools needed for success. From handwriting and phonics to typing, coding, virtual reality and research skills, we rely on textbooks and curriculum-aligned resources as our primary tools for learning, complemented by thoughtful, supervised use of educational technology.
Each grade fosters increasing responsibility, with students gradually taking on more independent work, group projects and regular homework. Weekly tests in spelling and vocabulary as well as monthly book reports are commonplace across these grades. We spark excitement for learning through hands-on exploration, especially in our vibrant Mystery Science program that encourages curiosity, critical thinking and experimentation.
While students primarily learn under the care of one core teacher, our 5th grade students begin to experience a gentle transition to middle school by rotating between two teachers. All elementary students have weekly art, physical education (twice weekly for K-4th grade students), music and library classes taught by specialized faculty members. In addition, to enrich their experience and support global awareness, students in kindergarten through 4th grade enjoy world language instruction in both French and Spanish. This exposure lays the groundwork for dedicated language study in either French or Spanish beginning in 5th grade and continuing through 8th grade.
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Cursive
Teaching cursive goes beyond tradition at St. Thomas—it’s a research-supported tool for cognitive and academic growth. Studies show that learning cursive improves fine motor skills, reinforces reading and spelling, and helps improve memory and comprehension. It also gives children a sense of personal expression.
The 5th Grade Experience
Our 5th grade program is a thoughtfully designed bridge between the self-contained structure of elementary school and the departmental model of middle school. Students begin switching between two core teachers, gaining experience with multiple classroom routines and expectations. An intentional increase in homework, writing and long-term projects helps build time management skills and independence, allowing students to grow with confidence. At the same time, learning remains joyful and hands-on. In science, students become water warriors, meteorologists and inventors while in social studies students adopt a historical persona in their annual wax museum. A highlight of the experience is our weekly Magic Math class—a blend of arithmetic, multi-step problem solving and real-life applications.
Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning begins in kindergarten with creative building activities that lay the foundation for deeper learning. As students grow, these projects evolve into innovative book reports that provide fun and age-appropriate methods to refine the structure of writing as well as interactive presentations that engage classmates and build confidence. Through biographical presentations, science experiments and events like our Invention Convention and science fairs, students actively research and document ideas, from designing volcanoes to showcasing original inventions and developing critical thinking, creativity and communication skills every step of the way.