Academics

At The Stanwich School, the academic program is organized to support the understanding that students learn in a variety of ways and that learning is influenced by developmental stages. Academic subjects reflect a spiral curriculum so that new understandings are built on previously learned foundations. Attention is also given to auditory, visual, tactile and kinesthetic instruction. Individual, small group and whole class instruction is varied to create the best learning environment for the student.

The Stanwich School's Pre-K Cottage offers a unique curriculum designed to nurture mind, body and spirit in the school's youngest students. At the heart of this program are the features Stanwich is known for: daily assemblies, superlative academic, art, music, library and foreign language programs, a strong family-school community; and a distinct commitment to character education in the form of weekly values lessons.

The Primary House curriculum supports the belief that basic skills are acquired in Grades K-3, while process and basic study skills are emphasized in Intermediate House in Grades 4-6, and in Junior House in Grades 7-9. Content learning is expanded and individualized in the Junior and Senior House curriculums. In addition, The Stanwich School believes that students maximize their potential when held to high standards. The curriculum is designed to be rigorous and challenging, but presented in a supportive and nurturing environment.

Students are instructed in appropriate groupings where their needs can be met. In the Primary House and Intermediate House, there are two teachers in each classroom to help students have the necessary reinforcement and enrichment. Students are in contained classrooms from Kindergarten through Grade 4.

In Grades 5 and 6, students change classes for some academic subjects. With focused attention on acquiring strong basic skills through teaching, reteaching and expansion, and specific instructional study halls in Grades 4 through 6, students are prepared for successful, independent learning in the Junior and Senior House years.

A departmentalized program is introduced in Grade 7 and continues through the Junior House and Senior House. The departmentalized program is comprised of core subjects and a variety of offerings to meet the requirements of college entrance, expand interests and develop talents.