Curriculum Overview and Core Values

Curriculum is an intentional design for learning developed by faculty through their specialized knowledge and in the context of students' needs. It is both what one teaches and how one teaches. At PS1, how we teach is as important as what we teach. Our core values of Competence (What we know), Confidence (How we feel about what we know), and Connection (What we do with what we know) provide the foundation for our K-6^th students. These core values are what make our school unique. Our students develop relationships, strength of conviction, self-knowledge and empowerment. We foster academic learning in consort with interpersonal reasoning.

CLICK HERE to read our Curriculum Overview and Cluster Roadmap. This document provides an overview of PS1’s academic program (K-6^th), with specific bullet points related to each Cluster’s curriculum in each subject area.

PS1 has a history of sending balanced, resilient, successful students into the world. As our graduates move into secondary school they often become leaders. They think deeply about issues that matter and understand ideas from the inside out. They are motivated, engaged, confident, curious, and ready to take on new challenges. The ability to ask questions, express ideas, think critically, and maintain passion for learning distinguishes PS1 students.

We view elementary school as one seven-year experience, not seven one-year experiences, and these values are integrated into the daily lives of our students. At every age and stage of learning the children’s natural development is respected. Learning is organized around problems, projects, and questions and the teaching is typically interdisciplinary, in a context and for a purpose. There is an emphasis on collaborative problem-solving, where interdependence counts at least as much as independence. PS1 is truly a caring community of learners.