Elementary School

Philosophy

Throughout the period of Elementary School students will become highly motivated, independent life-long learners as well as caring and responsible members of their community.

• The goal at ASLP is to provide students with the learning opportunities to enable them to develop the necessary transferable skills in the areas of communication, social interaction and academic competency to be well prepared for middle school.
• Classroom activities are designed to be interactive, inquiry driven and theme centered. Through a wide variety of strategies, including differentiated learning, teachers focus on the specific needs of the child as a unique individual.
• The curriculum weaves together topics and skills providing students with opportunities to work collaboratively. Through this the students not only develop a sense of responsibility and academic growth, but also a sense of social understanding and sensitivity in areas such as respect and tolerance.

By the end of Elementary, students feel they are valued members of the school community and as successful learners are confident to take on the challenges of Middle School.

• Assessment is continuous and used in a formative sense to judge the effectiveness of both the learning and the teaching process (for identifying strengths and weaknesses). Both formative and cumulative assessment is consistent with the teaching methodology and curriculum.
• Emphasis is on the application of knowledge and skills rather than on the repetition of facts.
• Students are assessed against defined criteria of assessment and not against other students (the school aims for criterion-referenced and not norm-referenced assessment).
• The school uses Report Cards and Parent Conferences as the method of formally reporting student progress to parents.
• In Elementary School self-assessment is included as a means for students to analyze their own learning. Teacher analysis is also an important part in assessing.
• Grading begins in Middle School, so care is taken to explain assessment criteria and the formal ABC Grading System to the students and the parents.
• A variety of indicators of student performance are used, as well as a range of assessment activities.

General Information

The Elementary staff works closely as a team to create a family atmosphere. They promote a caring, stimulating environment so that your child can continue to grow with a healthy and happy attitude to learning. The Elementary section of the school is housed in the dome area of the campus.

Students are taught through an immersion program in English, working through units and themes. In addition to the core subjects (English, mathematics, social studies and science) taught by the class tutor, students also receive instruction from a variety of other specialist teachers: music, art, computers, physical education and a daily Spanish language class. Specialists liaise with tutors to reinforce the work going on in the regular class and create cross-curricular alignment.

As the Elementary School is on the main campus and adjoined to the Preschool and Secondary School this reinforces the feeling at ASLP of being part of an extended family. All students show great respect, love and care for fellow students no matter what age.

Attention is given on an individual basis and we try to reach all children according to their needs, whether academic, social or emotional. Students can receive additional support from an ESL or SFL teacher and we have a full time counselor.

During the school year there are special days and events when parents and families are invited to join the class for assemblies, plays, musicals or just to share in a particular class activity. Children at ASLP are encouraged not only academically but creatively to express themselves through these presentations and shows in order to gain confidence and independence.