K - 8

Lower School (K - 5th)

Lower School offers a well-balanced curriculum that both engages and challenges its students through inquiry, innovation, and project-based learning. Our youngest students learn through exploration of their world with hands-on and interactive activities. Developing students of character is an important component of the Lower School. Our curriculum seeks to develop good citizenship, global awareness, and faith, as well as a love of learning. Faculty collaborate to ensure effective scope and sequence of material, and each year builds and expands upon previous skills and knowledge. The basic subjects of reading, language arts, social studies, math, science, and religion provide the foundation for the curriculum. Reading and math programs are developmentally structured programs that consider the individual needs of the learners. TWS is committed to Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) initiatives, and integrates various forms of technology across the curriculum at every grade level. The course of study is further enriched by the addition of art instruction, music, and physical education. Field trips, presentations, and special visitors are also utilized to bring learning to life. All instruction is designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of learning styles. It is our goal to deliver a curriculum that fosters a love of learning at an early age. Student success relies on strong communication between parents and teachers, especially in the younger years of education. To that end, teachers work to regularly inform parents of their child’s progress and we welcome and encourage an ongoing dialogue regarding student growth.

Kindergarten

The Kindergarten experience is unique and exciting for our students. Not only is the setting different from that of a traditional classroom, but our hands-on approach combines those traditional attributes while both nurturing and stimulating each student’s creativity and reasoning skills. Students are actively engaged in our challenging academic routine and learn through exploration and collaboration. Students participate in many on-stage productions and public speaking opportunities within the classroom throughout the year, which aids in the development of self-esteem and social skills. Students enjoy the opportunity to take ownership of their learning, creating confident and innovative learners.

First Grade

The goal of the first grade curriculum is to provide each student with skills to be successful in today’s world. Students are taught critical thinking skills through project based learning in order to become problem solvers. The first grade curriculum enables each student to develop intellectually, socially, and spiritually. The emphasis of the first grade program is to develop confidence and independence. The core subjects are taught through an interdisciplinary Whole Language approach. The concepts of reading, writing, speaking, and listening are integrated within all subjects. Students learn the writing process of prewriting, drafting, proofreading, revising, and publishing as they compose journal entries, personal narratives, descriptive essays, and research reports. Mathematics includes concepts, computation, and problem solving. Mathematical skills are extended into the science curriculum as students observe, measure, experiment, record, and graph data. Science includes environmental studies, life science, earth science, and physical science. STEAM lessons enhance the core curriculum through activities such as conducting a weather hour glass experiment, modeling a clay volcano, and building a model igloo using one hundred sugar cubes. The subject of Social Studies includes map skills, American Colonial history, and the study of multicultural holidays and historical figures. Religion includes Christian values, family life, and Bible stories. Instruction integrates audio, visual, and tactile methods. Hands-on activities and projects engage the students in the learning process. The first grade curriculum strives to develop the whole student.

Second Grade

Second Grade content and curriculum is designed to bring students to a level of independence that will enable them to succeed academically while aiming to develop and build upon their skill sets. Through exploration, analysis, and application of knowledge, students will explore content in a manner that allows them to both enhance and apply their skills. Using an interdisciplinary approach, core subject matter is linked to help students see connections in content to real world problems and circumstances. Students are encouraged to be reflective in nature and take ownership of their learning in ways that enable them to be creative and innovative, while fostering confidence and risk taking. 

Third Grade

In the third grade, students begin to think more abstractly and begin to understand their connection to the world and their past. Developmentally, they are ready to make inferences and work more independently. Therefore, the curriculum is able to address more complex aspects of language arts, science, social studies and math. In preparation for Middle School and in keeping the instructional expertise, students in grades three switch classrooms for social studies and science.

Fourth Grade

The Reading curriculum is a literature-based incremental approach, with the goal of developing independent, fluent, and engaged readers who can acquire and evaluate information. The Language Arts curriculum sharpens and expands writing skills, developing successful and independent writers by utilizing the writing process effectively. The Social Studies curriculum explores the people and heritage of the United States, culminating with current trends and global connections, with an emphasis on using maps and geographic representations to acquire, process, and report information. The Math curriculum focuses on problem solving skills and mastery of a strong foundation in basic skill functions, while strengthening skills in estimation, fractions, decimals, and geometry. Science continues to explore the fields of earth, life, and physical science in greater depth than previous years, incorporating use of the scientific method and allowing students to design and conduct their own investigations. The Religion curriculum places emphasis on helping children develop a personal relationship with God. 

Fifth Grade

Fifth grade is a bridge year between the Lower and Middle School. Therefore, the focal point of this year is to provide students with the critical thinking, organizational, responsibility, time management, and study skills necessary for the challenges of the Middle School. The curriculum is designed to furnish students with the building blocks they will need for success in Middle School. In keeping with instructional expertise and preparation for Middle School. All fifth grade students study 5th grade math. STEAM and project-based initiatives as well as cross-curricular opportunities are integrated into the curriculum. The Reading curriculum is a literature-based incremental approach, with the goal of developing independent, fluent, and engaged readers who can acquire and evaluate information. The Language Arts curriculum sharpens and expands writing skills, developing successful and independent writers by utilizing the writing process effectively. The Social Studies curriculum explores the people and heritage of the United States, culminating with current trends and global connections, with an emphasis on using maps and geographic representations to acquire, process, and report information. The Math curriculum focuses on problem solving skills and mastery of a strong foundation in basic skill functions, while strengthening skills in estimation, fractions, decimals, and geometry. Science continues to explore the fields of earth, life, and physical science in greater depth than previous years, incorporating use of the scientific method and allowing students to design and conduct their own investigations. The Religion curriculum places emphasis on helping children develop a personal relationship with God. Throughout the year, students participate in a variety of performances to continue to foster confidence in public speaking.

Middle School (6th - 8th Grade)

The Middle School emphasizes meaningful engagement with the curriculum among faculty and students. Focusing on 21st century skills, students in the middle school collaborate with one another, engage in critical thinking, and are challenged to problem solve. Our teachers provide a personalized environment where students are encouraged to take risks, supported in doing so, and reflective of the results. Along the way, our curriculum prepares students for the next phase through an adherence to faith, character, and academics. Students demonstrate the ability to think creatively, present effectively, and show compassion toward others. Developing life-long learners, The Wright School supplements academics with purposeful field trips, hands-on learning, access to clubs, team sports and a strong performing arts program.

Assessments take many forms, including projects, presentations, essays, and tests. In every class, students learn organizational and study skills required for academic success. Reading, writing, and public speaking skills are taught across the curriculum. Creativity and imagination are valued and used to teach high level thinking and collaboration.

Language Arts

The language arts program encourages students to express themselves confidently and effectively, to make connections between their world and what they read, and to develop a personal style and voice in their writing. The goal of this curriculum is to advance reading ability while developing strong writing skills. Each language arts class has five components: literature, writing, vocabulary, oral recitations, and grammar. Although the structure of each grade is similar, the curriculum advances in terms of level of difficulty and content, as well as expectation for independent work as the grades progress. Novel study involves project and inquiry-based learning, and many of the units are interdisciplinary in nature.

Reading/Literature

Emphasis is placed on refining critical thinking and analytical skills through an intense study of the elements of a novel, the author’s purpose, and figurative language. Students apply these skills to various pieces of literature, ranging from myths and legends, folk tales, poetry, and short stories through novels. As a supplement to this process, the reading program works in tandem with the language arts program.

Mathematics

The Middle School math curriculum emphasizes the basic mathematical skills of numeration, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Concepts are taught through the study of measurement, geometry, statistics, probability, number theory, functions, and relationships. Particular attention is given to balancing procedural fluency and conceptual understanding. Students develop stronger number sense and more ability to apply math in real-world situations. This is further reinforced with the instruction of daily mental math exercises.

All students begin a study of Pre-Algebra in grade 6. All courses have online texts and study resources.

Bible

Our religion curriculum includes the Old and New Testament of the Bible, structure and role of the Church in the contemporary global community, and the responsibility of the individual. Students explore different parts of the Bible and share their individual faith traditions with the class. Praise and Worship prayer services are prepared and led by students that celebrated with the entire school community.

Social Studies

Middle School social studies teaches history, geography, economics, and sociology in an experienced-based program. In addition to learning facts, students use texts, novels, videos, and projects to explore the life and issues of various historical periods. In addition to exploring the past, students explore contemporary issues, such as immigration, newly formed governments, evolving countries, and global societal concerns. Sixth grades explore ancient civilizations.

Foreign Language: Spanish

Spanish class introduce students to conversational Spanish vocabulary and grammar. Students learn to conjugate verbs in simple tenses, to pose and answer questions, and to hold conversations about weather, dress, restaurants, travel, and sports. Additionally, they become familiar with the culture and customs. Spanish curriculum covers topics normally taught at most high schools. The classes are project-based and students learn to communicate in the target language by presenting video projects, fashion shows, and cafes.