The Key Concepts of the ECP program naturally lead to the Academic Standards that form the structure and motivation for the elementary program. Each set of standards articulates what we want Trinity students to know and be able to do. The Academic Standards are six to eight overarching ideas in reading, writing, math, social studies, and science. These Academic Standards are downloads at the bottom of this page. The following statements summarize our Academic Standards and form a motivating through-line from grade to grade:

Reading: Love to read. Think, imagine. Gain knowledge, wisdom. Travel outside yourself.
Writing: Write well. Shape your thoughts to the written word. Tell, explain, persuade, inspire.
Math: Manage information quantitatively. Conceptualize using models. Analyze. Know how.
Science: Explore the known and unknown systematically. Steward humanity and our world.
Social Studies: Embrace the art of being a whole person in an interrelated world. Learn from the past.

Teaching Methods

The elementary teachers’ expertise is in knowing their students and gauging the academic program to students’ needs in light of the Academic Standards. Four strategies guide the teacher’s work:

Teacher-child relationship: Every child wants to know, “Do you know me? Do you like me?” The expertise and experience of the Trinity teachers ensures a resounding, “Yes!” Teachers bring different styles and talents to their work so that the ways of knowing the child, the ways of communicating trust and respect grow from grade to grade as the child grows and changes.

Core teaching: Teachers ensure the child is exposed to the right teaching at the right time within a classroom setting. Skills and basic knowledge are a necessary foundation for meaningful application and expansion of learning.

Integration: Teachers pose meaningful and motivating questions such as “What makes someone a hero?” Through these “essential questions” teachers help children make connections between disciplines and understand that learning and knowledge are holistic endeavors.

Differentiation: While teachers want each child to master Academic Standards, there is a range of child readiness within each class. Within the scope of group and small group instruction, teachers challenge those who are ready for more with meaningful learning while supporting and pacing learning for all children in the class.