Elementary
Building on Early Education’s focus on discovery and social-emotional development, our Elementary program centers around exploration, problem-solving, and academic rigor. Students delve deep into the subject matter while developing individual critical thinking and collaborative skills.
Because we value learning over “grades,” student achievement is monitored throughout the school year. Students have time to master subjects through practice and learn that failure means growth. Our small class sizes ensure that students receive the personal attention they deserve. They partner with their teachers to set goals, incorporate valuable feedback, and evaluate their efforts. All of this gives students a sense of ownership over their personalized education.What sets our Elementary School program apart?
We take pride in being a small school where our faculty and staff know and appreciate each student. Our daily one-on-one feedback conferences between teachers and students are not just a routine but a vital part of guiding each student's learning journey and ensuring their academic progress.
Parents are not just observers but engaged partners in their child's education. They participate in numerous campus events and are encouraged to be integral to their student's educational experience in various ways.
We understand that education is not just about academics. Our commitment to social-emotional learning, as outlined in the Pilgrim values, ensures that our students not only excel in their studies but also grow into global citizens, strong collaborators, driven learners, and kind humans.
Free, open-world play allows students to make meaning for themselves. Teachers plan lessons that use interesting materials, encourage creativity, and challenge students to have fun while learning.
Lessons are hands-on, with a focus on collaboration and conversation-based assignments. This structure not only makes students comfortable communicating the steps of their thinking but also emphasizes the importance of these skills for their future academic and professional success.
While learning is robust inside our classrooms, outside of class, we offer programs and traditions that bring our community together in joyful ways. Our visiting author and artist programs, where renowned professionals in their fields share their experiences and insights, expose students to experts who inspire them to think big, while traditions like Outdoor Education Day, Science Night, Winter and Spring Sings, Elementary Sports, and the all-school musical inspire confidence, pride, and an absolute joy on our campus.
In a mastery-based learning program, students know what they are learning, they understand where they are in their learning journey, and they know how to ask for help along the way. Teaching students in this way ensures they become stewards of their own development, acceptors of critical feedback, innovators of creative ideas, and citizens responsible for their choices and behaviors.
The Elementary program includes Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science. Rounding out our academic program are specialist classes taught by expert teachers in these fields: World Language (Mandarin or Spanish), Art, Music, and Physical Education. Complementing these studies, we also offer Dance and weekly visits to our beautiful library.
We believe that strong emotional development during Elementary school is crucial to student success.
Our Amaze Program is a social-emotional program led by our warm and welcoming School Counselor. This story-based curriculum helps students explore issues of identity and difference in a safe and supportive environment. Through Amaze, students build a supportive community while discussing cultural topics through the lens of family.
The Elementary Division is proud to host several affinity groups where children with common identities gather to celebrate and discuss shared traditions, values, and ideas. These safe spaces are led by our dedicated and trained faculty and staff who are committed to creating circles of friendships based on common values and kindness.
We understand that parents are busy and may have varying schedules. Pilgrim offers an outstanding after-school program for all students in need of after-school care. The program includes time to visit with friends, time in a supervised home practice club, and then free play in our beautiful play spaces.
Additionally, we offer a diverse range of enrichment classes after school where children can explore new concepts like Lego robotics, gymnastics, ceramics, insects and reptiles, cooking, and more. These short, eight-week classes happen once a week and expose children to new and joyful activities that inspire collaboration and creativity—something we excel at!
We expose Panther Athletes to multiple sports during the school year. We believe in developing skills and exposing young athletes to various sports as we build muscles, endurance, and grit. Younger Panther athletes train alongside older students and practice new skills and good sportsmanship, culminating in the Orange v. Blue intrasquad game at the end of each season. Panthers in grades 3, 4, and 5 participate in a league and travel locally to play other elementary schools in our area. While the focus is on skill development, grit, and sportsmanship, the competition is real, and we have loads of fun cheering on our athletes. Our no-cut policy, which continues through 12th grade, ensures that young athletes build all muscle groups and learn many sports so that when they are older and stronger, they are ready to choose the sport or sports they want to play in a more competitive arena.
