Primary students enjoy a challenging curriculum presented in a supportive and nurturing environment. The Primary House curriculum is structured to ensure that all students acquire solid foundational skills to prepare them for more sophisticated content learning in the Intermediate House and beyond.  Highlights of the Primary House curriculum are as follows.

Language Arts: The language arts program focuses on reading, writing, expressive language and listening skills. The curriculum provides a balanced literacy approach with direct phonics, grammar and spelling instruction combined with reading of quality literature in small groups. Students develop a literal understanding of text while increasing their exposure to the inferential and evaluative reading of literature. Each grade builds on increasingly sophisticated steps in the writing process. By the conclusion of Grade 3, it is expected that all students will write well-structured three-paragraph essays and have an initial understanding of a five-paragraph essay.  Primary House students receive at least ten hours of language arts instruction each week.

Mathematics: The purpose of the mathematics curriculum in the Primary House is to create mathematically capable students who use mathematical tools and techniques to think, communicate and solve problems. Upon completion of the program, Grade 3 students are expected to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers and appreciate and apply math in their daily lives and the world around them.  Manipulatives and interdisciplinary activities are frequently used to bridge the gap between the concrete and abstract.   Students are divided into small groups which allows for individual attention. At Stanwich, the mathematics curriculum is typically one grade ahead of that being taught in the public schools.   Primary House students receive mathematics instruction daily.

Social Studies: In Primary House social studies, students gain an understanding of themselves in relation to their home environment, community, country and world, and develop an appreciation for different lifestyles and cultures. Students learn to research and interpret information from a variety of sources including graphs, maps, globes, text and pictures. They learn to organize and use data for specific purposes and communicate orally, visually and in writing the results of a project. Field trips are frequently integrated into the social studies curriculum.   Students in Grades K-2 receive social studies instruction four times per week. Grade 3 students receive social studies instruction three times per week.

Science: Primary House science is taught through a multi-sensory thematic approach. Each student gains exposure to topics in the biological, chemical, physical and earth sciences.   Thematic units are taught using a hands-on approach, combining directed and self-discovery activities including individual and cooperative learning experiences. Units are supervised by a science specialist, who supplements science units with high-interest enrichment activities. The balanced curriculum of the physical, life, and earth sciences introduces students to science concepts and science process skills that build inquisitive minds. Kindergarten students receive science instruction four times per week. Students in Grades 1-3 receive science instruction three times per week.

Primary House students also receive instruction in fine arts, performing arts (music and drama), physical education, foreign language, library, values and community service.  Please click on any of these subjects for further information.