Welcome to Elementary!
At Trinity, children from Kindergarten through Grade 5 build strong academic foundations while learning to ask questions, work with others, reflect on their growth, and use their voice with confidence. We inspire students with care, offering the right balance of challenge, support, and independence as they move through each stage of development.
Families will see learning becoming more visible over time: through student reflection, clear next steps, conferences, classroom evidence, and the growing ability of children to explain what they are learning and why it matters.
Our goal is not to rush children toward what comes next. It is to prepare them deeply for it, with curious minds, discerning hearts, and a lasting sense of who they are as learners.
A K-5 journey to ownership
Trinity’s Elementary Program is designed around the way children grow. Each year brings new academic stretch, greater independence, and deeper responsibility, while preserving the warmth, playfulness, and curiosity children need to thrive.
Across Kindergarten to Grade 5, students build foundations in literacy, mathematics, science, humanities, the arts, and social-emotional learning. Just as importantly, they learn how to explain their thinking, reflect on progress, work with others, and take increasing ownership of learning.
Kindergarten
Wonder and belonging
At Trinity, Kindergarten is a time to ignite wonder. As children begin their academic journey, we prioritize emotional safety and belonging. Teachers provide warm reassurance and gentle scaffolding throughout the day. Students experience a blend of direct instruction and hands-on, play‑based exploration, building on what they already know while sparking curiosity.
Our classrooms are intentionally designed so children can take risks, make mistakes, and celebrate small successes across language, math, science, art, and social play.
What children do
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Explore foundational concepts through sensory, drawing, movement, and inquiry-based activities
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Engage in literacy and math through stories, manipulatives, and guided play
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Practice social-emotional skills—turn-taking, empathy, persistence—within a supportive community
Grade 1
Structure and confidence
In Grade 1, young learners begin a cognitive shift—from concrete to more logical thinking. We partner with students as they dive into foundational literacy skills (phonics, reading strategies, writing) and math concepts with increasing structure. This is also a time to introduce students to learning strategies such as planning, self-monitoring, and reflection.
Because first graders grow so fast physically, socially, and intellectually, we adapt instruction accordingly. Students steadily move from scaffolded support toward more independent thinking, while still feeling emotionally safe as they stretch.
What children do
- Strengthen reading and writing with phonics, storytelling, and sentence building
- Practice math through manipulatives, number stories, and early problem-solving
- Experience growing independence with classroom jobs and student-led choices
Grade 2
Difference, readiness, and growth
By Grade 2, students’ learning styles and needs are more varied. Classrooms welcome movement and choice. Whether it’s flexible workspaces, tactile tools, or partner work, students are empowered to engage with content in the way that helps them best. Our goal is to support students in reaching both small benchmarks and meaningful growth, instilling confidence in their progress.
What children do
- Build fluency in reading and writing across a wider range of genres
- Deepen math reasoning through games, real-world problems, and partner work
- Reflect on learning progress and set personal goals with teacher support
Grade 3
Collaboration and voice
In Grade 3, students begin valuing peer perspective as much as teacher feedback. Group projects, collaborative problem-solving, and peer review become central. We guide students to offer constructive feedback, deepen conversations about fairness, justice, and diversity, and strengthen their voice as engaged members of community. The curriculum increasingly invites them to co-create with teachers and classmates, asking deeper questions and taking shared ownership of learning.
What children do
- Take on group projects that require collaboration and peer feedback
- Explore fairness, community, and diversity through literature and discussion
- Design and carry out science experiments with increased independence
Grade 4
Independence and deeper inquiry
By Grade 4, many foundational skills are well-established. Students are ready to think more deeply, ask more complex questions, and begin making strategic choices in their learning. Instruction becomes more responsive: teachers differentiate, scaffold less, and encourage students to take more initiative. Curriculum shifts from “learning skills” to “using skills”—students dive into thoughtful discussion, debate, inquiry, and creative problem-solving.
What children do
- Engage in deeper inquiry using research, debate, and creative problem-solving
- Investigate historical and current events through multiple perspectives
- Practice written expression through essays, stories, and reflections
Grade 5
Integration, leadership and readiness
In Grade 5, students move toward synthesis. They connect prior learning with fresh concepts and increasingly integrate across disciplines (e.g. combining reading, science, social studies, math in project work). With strong foundations in place, they’re ready to pursue more ambitious, student-driven projects. We support them in taking ownership, making choices, and refining voice and agency—preparing them emotionally, socially, and academically for the transition to middle school.
What children do
- Mentor younger students and model Trinity’s values of care and integrity
- Publish writing, present learning to authentic audiences, and reflect on growth
- Travel to a capstone overnight field trip.
