Academics
Academics
Co-Curricular Classes
Our co-curricular classes provide wonder and joy for all our students on a daily basis. The 9 different subjects – Spanish, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Music, Art, Design & Technology, Social-Emotional Learning, Religion, and Library – complement the core subjects of Math, Language Arts/Writing, Social Studies, and Science taught in each homeroom.
Research consistently shows that children who participate in co-curricular subjects don’t just become more well-rounded – they become stronger learners across the board. Music builds mathematical reasoning. Movement consolidates memory and regulates attention. Visual art develops spatial thinking and the willingness to iterate through failure. Design and technology teaches children to think systematically and ask better questions. Together, these disciplines don’t supplement a child’s education – they amplify it.
Beyond the research, there is something harder to measure and equally important: joy. Co-curricular classes protect the wonder of childhood inside the school day. They are the moments when a child loses track of time because they are absorbed in a melody, a brushstroke, or a sprint toward the goal. That quality of engagement isn’t a luxury. It’s how children fall in love with learning itself.
Spanish
Performing Arts
Physical Education
Music
Art
Design & Technology
Social-Emotional Learning
Religion
Library
Co-Curricular Curriculum by Grade
Spanish
- Students begin learning the alphabet through a letter sound study.
- Basic vocabulary is taught by focusing on monthly themes, songs, games, books and hands-on activities.
- A lot of repetitive language is used to help build confidence and familiarity with the language.
Performing Arts
- Students learn to participate in appropriate dramatic play.
- Students act as part of a small ensemble.
- Students learn to use the “actor’s tools” – voice, face, body, and imagination – to create distinct characters in narrative play.
- Students create and use elements of technical theatre, such as props and costumes.
Physical Education
- Students build confidence and a positive relationship with movement through fun, age-appropriate activities.
- Foundational motor skills such as balance, coordination, and spatial awareness are developed.
- A love for physical activity is encouraged through play-based games and exploration.
Music
- Develop a steady beat through singing games, movement, and simple percussion.
- Explore high/low sounds and begin matching pitch with the singing voice.
- Learn to echo short rhythmic patterns using ta (quarter note) and ti-ti (eighth notes).
Art
- Students continue a broad study of elements of art and principles of design, and the color wheel.
- Projects include a series of works, multiple sessions of completion, skills and techniques to reinforce fine motor skills.
- Students begin working with wet modeling clay to learn how to make figures, pinch pots, and are introduced to scoring and slipping.
Design & Technology
- Learn how to responsibly use iPads, including basic functions and care.
- Explore sequencing and problem-solving through Tynker Jr. and Scratch Jr.
- Begin early digital design with Canva using simple templates and creative tools.
Religion
- Students engage in the Godly Play curriculum, an approach to religious education rooted in wonder and reflection.
- Stories from the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament are presented using beautifully crafted, natural materials made of wood, cloth, and stone.
- Well-known Judeo-Christian stories help all children, regardless of any religious affiliation, build their cultural literacy as they explore questions of ethics, values, and spirituality.
- Each lesson concludes with “I wonder” prompts that invite thoughtful reflection and personal connection to the stories.
Spanish
- Students get the opportunity to use vocabulary learned through hands-on activities that assists them with retaining information.
- Writing is facilitated and incorporated to help students see the beauty in Spanish words and connecting sounds to words.
- Classroom collaboration is expanded in order to practice using the language with each other.
Performing Arts
- Students learn the basic elements of dramaturgy and how to apply them to create a performance.
- Students begin learning formal rehearsal and performance techniques.
- Students explore the core elements of story structure.
- Students learn how a character participates in their story.
Physical Education
- Students build on kindergarten skills while learning to apply movement in new and varied activities.
- Motor skills are expanded with an emphasis on control, coordination, and confidence.
- Joyful participation and an understanding of staying active are reinforced through structured play.
Music
- Sing simple folk songs with accurate pitch and rhythm.
- Read and write basic rhythms using ta and ti-ti.
- Recognize and sing so and mi patterns in familiar songs.
Art
- Students begin refining their techniques with control of materials and tools: contour lines, blocking, positive/negative space, gradients, blending, shading, and mixing paint.
- Clay projects include muti-session coil handbuilding and slab building to create functional pottery.
Design & Technology
- Strengthen coding skills using Tynker and Scratch Jr. to create interactive stories and games.
- Practice safe online habits through age-appropriate lessons in digital citizenship.
- Explore design skills by creating projects in Canva with guidance.
Religion
- Students engage in the Godly Play curriculum, an approach to religious education rooted in wonder and reflection.
- Stories from the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament are presented using beautifully crafted, natural materials made of wood, cloth, and stone.
- Well-known Judeo-Christian stories help all children, regardless of any religious affiliation, build their cultural literacy as they explore questions of ethics, values, and spirituality.
- Each lesson concludes with “I wonder” prompts that invite thoughtful reflection and personal connection to the stories.
Spanish
- Lessons are geared towards students real-life experiences and exploration by using Spanish that is meaningful to their school and everyday lives.
- We begin using useful words and phrases to daily routines, such as greetings, colors, numbers, and family members.
- Students have back and forth conversations in Spanish to apply new vocabulary and phrases.
Performing Arts
- Students use the actor’s tools – Voice, Face, Body and Imagination – to transform into different characters.
- Students participate in Light And Shadow Play and create a puppet show.
- Students will understand and implement technical theatre elements into informal narrative performance.
Physical Education
- Movement skills and confidence continue to grow through increasingly dynamic activities.
- Students develop agility, coordination, and teamwork through cooperative games.
- Introduction to organized team sports allows students to explore rules, roles, and sportsmanship.
Music
- Expand rhythmic vocabulary to include rest (quarter rest).
- Sing and read melodies with la, so, mi.
- Play classroom instruments to accompany songs with steady beat and simple rhythms.
Art
- Students develop their drawing skills to refine perspective with still life drawing and landscapes, point of view, hatching, cross-hatching, blending and shading techniques.
- Clay projects continue to focus on functional pottery with the goal of refining skills to build confidence and consistency. Students will add texture with rollers, stamps, and etching.
Design & Technology
- Develop more advanced coding projects in Tynker and Scratch Jr.
- Learn the basics of digital safety and citizenship using Google’s Interland.
- Create digital posters and presentations in Canva to express ideas.
Religion
- Students engage in the Godly Play curriculum, an approach to religious education rooted in wonder and reflection.
- Stories from the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament are presented using beautifully crafted, natural materials made of wood, cloth, and stone.
- Well-known Judeo-Christian stories help all children, regardless of any religious affiliation, build their cultural literacy as they explore questions of ethics, values, and spirituality.
- Each lesson concludes with “I wonder” prompts that invite thoughtful reflection and personal connection to the stories.
Spanish
- Students read basic Spanish grade level books and we begin to make connections to our learned vocabulary.
- We apply our writing skills by writing book reviews, step by step instructions, and short sentences to get our main idea across.
- Speaking Spanish is also connected to a cultural component, so students start to learn and recognize cultural awareness such as foods, music, artists, costumes, and Latin American countries.
Performing Arts
- Students learn the tenets of Devised Theatre.
- Students build focus and ensemble skills through the practice of The Viewpoints Technique (Bogart/ Landau).
- Students create improvised movement stories.
- Students rehearse and informally perform original work created through formal devising practice.
Physical Education
- Students apply foundational skills in more challenging and connected ways.
- Teamwork, focus, and confidence are strengthened through structured group activities.
- Greater emphasis is placed on organized team sports and skill application.
Music
- Read and perform rhythms including half notes (ta-a).
- Sing and read melodies that include do, re, mi, so, la.
- Begin playing recorder and Orff instruments with simple accompaniments.
Art
- Students continue their study of still life drawings and painting.
- Students begin studying portraiture and figure drawing.
- Clay projects will focus on figures and busts.
Design & Technology
- Build foundational typing skills and keyboarding fluency.
- Learn responsible online communication and digital footprint awareness through Interland.
- Use Canva to design creative projects, including book covers and multimedia presentations.
Religion
- Students engage in the Godly Play curriculum, an approach to religious education rooted in wonder and reflection.
- Stories from the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament are presented using beautifully crafted, natural materials made of wood, cloth, and stone.
- Well-known Judeo-Christian stories help all children, regardless of any religious affiliation, build their cultural literacy as they explore questions of ethics, values, and spirituality.
- Each lesson concludes with “I wonder” prompts that invite thoughtful reflection and personal connection to the stories.
Spanish
- More complex grammar and vocabulary is incorporated into each lesson where students practice writing full sentences.
- Project-based learning is added to help students have a diverse learning experience where Spanish is practiced throughout the year with fun engaging activities that support students interests.
- Students actively participate in class activities where Spanish class happens three times a week for 30 minutes.
Performing Arts
- Students read, perform, and evaluate existing narrative dramas.
- Students participate in formalized rehearsal and performance.
- Students use their knowledge of narrative structure and story elements to adapt existing narrative works for performance.
Physical Education
- Students continue building strength, coordination, and teamwork through skill-focused activities.
- Sport-specific skills are refined while students deepen their understanding of personal fitness.
- Preparation for organized team sports becomes a key focus of the year.
Music
- Perform and notate more complex rhythms, including sixteenth notes (ti-ki-ti-ki).
- Sing in rounds, canons, and simple two-part harmony.
- Explore pentatonic scales on instruments and in singing.
- Continue playing recorder and Orff instruments with simple accompaniments.
Art
- Students continue their study of people, figure drawing and portraits.
- They begin to practice timed gestural drawing and figure drawing
- Acrylic portraiture focuses on mixing and color palette selection.
- Clay projects focus on figures and studying effigies.
Design & Technology
- Strengthen coding and problem-solving through Tynker and project-based challenges.
- Deepen understanding of digital citizenship, focusing on safe and respectful online interactions.
- Design and publish digital media projects in Canva to share learning.
Religion
- Students engage in the Godly Play curriculum, an approach to religious education rooted in wonder and reflection.
- Stories from the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament are presented using beautifully crafted, natural materials made of wood, cloth, and stone.
- Well-known Judeo-Christian stories help all children, regardless of any religious affiliation, build their cultural literacy as they explore questions of ethics, values, and spirituality.
- Each lesson concludes with “I wonder” prompts that invite thoughtful reflection and personal connection to the stories.
Spanish
- By fifth grade students are exposed to a comprehensive-based method of Spanish language that is oriented towards proficiency in comprehension. Through multiple assessments students are assessed to help monitor their learning and support learning acquisition.
- Learners engage in real-life communication on many different topics that help students develop language skills and intercultural awareness.
- Students start to make wider connections and apply their knowledge and use the language to speak to novice speakers.
Performing Arts
- Students explore gestures through pantomime.
- Students explore Stanislavski’s seven questions through improvisational exercises.
- Students receive formal acting training in Meisner technique and the Stanislavski System.
- Students apply their acting training to formal rehearsal and performance of short scenes.
Physical Education
- Students further develop strength, coordination, and teamwork in increasingly complex activities.
- Lessons include an introduction to human development and how the body relates to physical activity.
- Sports skills are refined while preparing students for more competitive team sports.
Music
- Read and perform syncopated rhythms and dotted notes.
- Sing and play music in major and minor tonalities.
- Perform ensemble pieces on Orff and percussion instruments with accuracy and expression.
Art
- Students study linear perspective to build cityscapes and landscapes in both drawing and painting.
- In painting, students explore impasto techniques to add texture and dimension.
- Sculpture expands to include mold-making with 2-part molds and slipcasting objects.
- Students begin printmaking with rubber blocks to create single block and multi block images.
Design & Technology
- Apply design thinking to collaborative projects in technology and Minecraft Education.
- Explore more complex aspects of digital safety, including group communication and positive online presence.
- Use Canva to create professional-quality media such as posters, infographics, and presentations.
Religion
- Students explore World Religions, learning about beliefs and practices beyond the Judeo-Christian tradition.
- As they come to understand these beliefs, they seek points of connection as well as unique perspectives amongst the religions.
Spanish
- Students connect prior knowledge with their lessons and we practice using the language outside of the classroom through project-based activities that are aimed for students to feel comfortable speaking and having a back and forth conversation.
- Spanish is provided four times a week and we incorporate meaningful activities that can be used outside of the classroom.
- Students learn to appreciate the language and its significance in different contexts.
Performing Arts
- Students read, perform, and evaluate existing narrative dramas.
- Students receive formal acting training in Meisner technique and the Stanislavski System.
- Students link their knowledge of drafting, design, acting, and performance to create and formally perform an original monologue.
Physical Education
- Students focus on mastery of fundamental movement and sport-specific skills.
- Strategy, leadership, and teamwork are emphasized through competitive team sports.
- Connections between human development, fitness, and lifelong physical activity are reinforced.
Music
- Demonstrate fluency with a wide range of rhythms and meters.
- Sing and read melodies using a full diatonic scale.
- Create and perform original arrangements on classroom instruments, showing musical independence.
Art
- Students continue to refine their skills in portraiture, landscape, and abstract drawing and painting in acrylic.
- Oil paint is introduced, and students will learn how to mix colors on the canvas.
- Sculpture includes 3-part molds for slipcasting.
- Students study printmaking with linoleum blocks with single and multi block printing.
- In their last year at St. James’, 6th graders write artist statements and build a series of work.
Design & Technology
- Engage in advanced coding, design thinking, and collaborative projects using Minecraft Education.
- Practice leadership in digital citizenship, emphasizing digital footprint, privacy, and empathy online.
- Create independent, polished digital projects in Canva that demonstrate creativity and technical skill.
Religion
- Help students synthesize what they have learned, focusing on questions they have about spirituality in general, specific religions, and ethics.
Spanish
Our Spanish program is designed to build a strong, joyful foundation in language learning while nurturing curiosity and cultural appreciation. Beginning in Kindergarten through 3rd Grade, students are introduced to Spanish in a fun, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate way through games, songs, movement, and multi-sensory activities that support the whole child. These early years focus on building essential sounds, vocabulary, and language structure. As students progress into 4th – 6th Grade, they expand their skills with greater confidence in speaking, writing, and comprehension, applying their learning in more meaningful, real-world contexts. Through collaboration with co-curricular teachers and connections to classroom themes, students deepen their understanding of the language while developing an appreciation for Latin American culture and becoming comfortable, capable Spanish learners.
Kindergarten
- Students begin learning the alphabet through a letter sound study.
- Basic vocabulary is taught by focusing on monthly themes, songs, games, books and hands-on activities.
- A lot of repetitive language is used to help build confidence and familiarity with the language.
1st Grade
- Students get the opportunity to use vocabulary learned through hands-on activities that assists them with retaining information.
- Writing is facilitated and incorporated to help students see the beauty in Spanish words and connecting sounds to words.
- Classroom collaboration is expanded in order to practice using the language with each other.
2nd Grade
- Lessons are geared towards students real-life experiences and exploration by using Spanish that is meaningful to their school and everyday lives.
- We begin using useful words and phrases to daily routines, such as greetings, colors, numbers, and family members.
- Students have back and forth conversations in Spanish to apply new vocabulary and phrases.
3rd Grade
- Students read basic Spanish grade level books and we begin to make connections to our learned vocabulary.
- We apply our writing skills by writing book reviews, step by step instructions, and short sentences to get our main idea across.
- Speaking Spanish is also connected to a cultural component, so students start to learn and recognize cultural awareness such as foods, music, artists, costumes, and Latin American countries.
4th Grade
- More complex grammar and vocabulary is incorporated into each lesson where students practice writing full sentences.
- Project-based learning is added to help students have a diverse learning experience where Spanish is practiced throughout the year with fun engaging activities that support students interests.
- Students actively participate in class activities where Spanish class happens three times a week for 30 minutes.
5th Grade
- By fifth grade students are exposed to a comprehensive-based method of Spanish language that is oriented towards proficiency in comprehension. Through multiple assessments students are assessed to help monitor their learning and support learning acquisition.
- Learners engage in real-life communication on many different topics that help students develop language skills and intercultural awareness.
- Students start to make wider connections and apply their knowledge and use the language to speak to novice speakers.
6th Grade
- Students connect prior knowledge with their lessons and we practice using the language outside of the classroom through project-based activities that are aimed for students to feel comfortable speaking and having a back and forth conversation.
- Spanish is provided four times a week and we incorporate meaningful activities that can be used outside of the classroom.
- Students learn to appreciate the language and its significance in different contexts.
Performing Arts
Rooted in real-world voice, movement, and acting techniques for young learners, our program builds creativity, confidence, and collaboration. Guided by Episcopal values, students explore identity and empathy through play and scene work, celebrating curiosity, compassion, and joyful discovery as they grow into storytellers and community-minded learners.
Kindergarten
- Students learn to participate in appropriate dramatic play.
- Students act as part of a small ensemble.
- Students learn to use the “actor’s tools” – voice, face, body, and imagination – to create distinct characters in narrative play.
- Students create and use elements of technical theatre, such as props and costumes.
1st Grade
- Students learn the basic elements of dramaturgy and how to apply them to create a performance.
- Students begin learning formal rehearsal and performance techniques.
- Students explore the core elements of story structure.
- Students learn how a character participates in their story.
2nd Grade
- Students use the actor’s tools – Voice, Face, Body and Imagination – to transform into different characters.
- Students participate in Light And Shadow Play and create a puppet show.
- Students will understand and implement technical theatre elements into informal narrative performance.
3rd Grade
- Students learn the tenets of Devised Theatre.
- Students build focus and ensemble skills through the practice of The Viewpoints Technique (Bogart/ Landau).
- Students create improvised movement stories.
- Students rehearse and informally perform original work created through formal devising practice.
4th Grade
- Students read, perform, and evaluate existing narrative dramas.
- Students participate in formalized rehearsal and performance.
- Students use their knowledge of narrative structure and story elements to adapt existing narrative works for performance.
5th Grade
- Students explore gestures through pantomime.
- Students explore Stanislavski’s seven questions through improvisational exercises.
- Students receive formal acting training in Meisner technique and the Stanislavski System.
- Students apply their acting training to formal rehearsal and performance of short scenes.
6th Grade
- Students read, perform, and evaluate existing narrative dramas.
- Students receive formal acting training in Meisner technique and the Stanislavski System.
- Students link their knowledge of drafting, design, acting, and performance to create and formally perform an original monologue.
Physical Education
Our K–6 physical education curriculum builds a foundation of motor skills, coordination, and fitness while fostering teamwork, confidence, and a love of movement through engaging activities and games. As students progress, they refine sport-specific skills, learn rules and strategies across a variety of sports, and develop the leadership and healthy habits that prepare them for lifelong physical activity.
Kindergarten
- Students build confidence and a positive relationship with movement through fun, age-appropriate activities.
- Foundational motor skills such as balance, coordination, and spatial awareness are developed.
- A love for physical activity is encouraged through play-based games and exploration.
1st Grade
- Students build on kindergarten skills while learning to apply movement in new and varied activities.
- Motor skills are expanded with an emphasis on control, coordination, and confidence.
- Joyful participation and an understanding of staying active are reinforced through structured play.
2nd Grade
- Movement skills and confidence continue to grow through increasingly dynamic activities.
- Students develop agility, coordination, and teamwork through cooperative games.
- Introduction to organized team sports allows students to explore rules, roles, and sportsmanship.
3rd Grade
- Students apply foundational skills in more challenging and connected ways.
- Teamwork, focus, and confidence are strengthened through structured group activities.
- Greater emphasis is placed on organized team sports and skill application.
4th Grade
- Students continue building strength, coordination, and teamwork through skill-focused activities.
- Sport-specific skills are refined while students deepen their understanding of personal fitness.
- Preparation for organized team sports becomes a key focus of the year.
5th Grade
- Students further develop strength, coordination, and teamwork in increasingly complex activities.
- Lessons include an introduction to human development and how the body relates to physical activity.
- Sports skills are refined while preparing students for more competitive team sports.
6th Grade
- Students focus on mastery of fundamental movement and sport-specific skills.
- Strategy, leadership, and teamwork are emphasized through competitive team sports.
- Connections between human development, fitness, and lifelong physical activity are reinforced.
Music
Our K–6 music curriculum is grounded in the Kodály method, giving students a strong foundation in rhythm, melody, and music literacy through singing, movement, and play. As students progress, they explore a variety of classroom instruments – including percussion, recorders, and Orff instruments – building both individual skills and ensemble experience while developing a lifelong love of music.
Kindergarten
- Develop a steady beat through singing games, movement, and simple percussion.
- Explore high/low sounds and begin matching pitch with the singing voice.
- Learn to echo short rhythmic patterns using ta (quarter note) and ti-ti (eighth notes).
1st Grade
- Sing simple folk songs with accurate pitch and rhythm.
- Read and write basic rhythms using ta and ti-ti.
- Recognize and sing so and mi patterns in familiar songs.
2nd Grade
- Expand rhythmic vocabulary to include rest (quarter rest).
- Sing and read melodies with la, so, mi.
- Play classroom instruments to accompany songs with steady beat and simple rhythms.
3rd Grade
- Read and perform rhythms including half notes (ta-a).
- Sing and read melodies that include do, re, mi, so, la.
- Begin playing recorder and Orff instruments with simple accompaniments.
4th Grade
- Perform and notate more complex rhythms, including sixteenth notes (ti-ki-ti-ki).
- Sing in rounds, canons, and simple two-part harmony.
- Explore pentatonic scales on instruments and in singing.
- Continue playing recorder and Orff instruments with simple accompaniments.
5th Grade
- Read and perform syncopated rhythms and dotted notes.
- Sing and play music in major and minor tonalities.
- Perform ensemble pieces on Orff and percussion instruments with accuracy and expression.
6th Grade
- Demonstrate fluency with a wide range of rhythms and meters.
- Sing and read melodies using a full diatonic scale.
- Create and perform original arrangements on classroom instruments, showing musical independence.
Art
Art at St. James’ is modeled after classical art training, which focuses on foundational skills in drawing, painting, and clay. Our classroom is a functional studio space equipped with standard tools and materials that will facilitate students’ growth and development as artists.
Kindergarten Readiness Program (KRP)
- Students are introduced to the elements of art and principles of design and the color wheel.
- Basic properties of clay are introduced with air dry clay, and using hands as tools.
Kindergarten
- Students continue a broad study of elements of art and principles of design, and the color wheel.
- Projects include a series of works, multiple sessions of completion, skills and techniques to reinforce fine motor skills.
- Students begin working with wet modeling clay to learn how to make figures, pinch pots, are introduced to scoring and slipping.
1st Grade
- Students begin refining their techniques with control of materials and tools: contour lines, blocking, positive/negative space, gradients, blending, shading, and mixing paint.
- Clay projects include muti-session coil handbuilding and slab building to create functional pottery.
2nd Grade
- Students develop their drawing skills to refine perspective with still life drawing and landscapes, point of view, hatching, cross-hatching, blending and shading techniques.
- Clay projects continue to focus on functional pottery with the goal of refining skills to build confidence and consistency. Students will add texture with rollers, stamps, and etching.
3rd Grade
- Students continue their study of still life drawings and painting.
- Students begin studying portraiture and figure drawing.
- Clay projects will focus on figures and busts.
4th Grade
- Students continue their study of people, figure drawing and portraits.
- They begin to practice timed gestural drawing and figure drawing
- Acrylic portraiture focuses on mixing and color palette selection.
- Clay projects focus on figures and studying effigies.
5th Grade
- Students study linear perspective to build cityscapes and landscapes in both drawing and painting.
- In painting, students explore impasto techniques to add texture and dimension.
- Sculpture expands to include mold-making with 2-part molds and slipcasting objects.
- Students begin printmaking with rubber blocks to create single block and multi block images
6th Grade
- Students continue to refine their skills in portraiture, landscape, and abstract drawing and painting in acrylic.
- Oil paint is introduced, and students will learn how to mix colors on the canvas.
- Sculpture includes 3-part molds for slipcasting.
- Students study printmaking with linoleum blocks with single and multi block printing.
- In their last year at St. James’, 6th graders write artist statements and build a series of work.
Design & Technology
Our Technology program empowers students to become confident creators, problem solvers, and responsible digital citizens. Beginning in Kindergarten, students explore foundational digital skills through play and creativity. As they grow, they engage with coding, digital design, and collaborative projects, applying design thinking to solve real-world challenges. By 6th grade, students are prepared to navigate digital environments with creativity, empathy, and responsibility.
Kindergarten
- Learn how to responsibly use iPads, including basic functions and care.
- Explore sequencing and problem-solving through Tynker Jr. and Scratch Jr.
Begin early digital design with Canva using simple templates and creative tools.
1st Grade
- Strengthen coding skills using Tynker and Scratch Jr to create interactive stories and games.
- Practice safe online habits through age-appropriate lessons in digital citizenship.
- Explore design skills by creating projects in Canva with guidance.
2nd Grade
- Develop more advanced coding projects in Tynker and Scratch Jr.
- Learn the basics of digital safety and citizenship using Google’s Interland.
- Create digital posters and presentations in Canva to express ideas.
3rd Grade
- Build foundational typing skills and keyboarding fluency.
- Learn responsible online communication and digital footprint awareness through Interland.
- Use Canva to design creative projects, including book covers and multimedia presentations.
4th Grade
- Strengthen coding and problem-solving through Tynker and project-based challenges.
- Deepen understanding of digital citizenship, focusing on safe and respectful online interactions.
- Design and publish digital media projects in Canva to share learning.
5th Grade
- Apply design thinking to collaborative projects in technology and Minecraft Education.
- Explore more complex aspects of digital safety, including group communication and positive online presence.
- Use Canva to create professional-quality media such as posters, infographics, and presentations.
6th Grade
- Engage in advanced coding, design thinking, and collaborative projects using Minecraft Education.
- Practice leadership in digital citizenship, emphasizing digital footprint, privacy, and empathy online.
- Create independent, polished digital projects in Canva that demonstrate creativity and technical skill.
Religion
Rooted in our Episcopal heritage, our Religion program emphasizes inclusivity, respect, and the celebration of all faith traditions as reflections of God’s love. Students in grades K–6 participate in religion class every other week, building cultural literacy, ethical understanding, and spiritual curiosity.
Kindergarten – 4th Grade
- Students engage in the Godly Play curriculum, an approach to religious education rooted in wonder and reflection.
- Stories from the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament are presented using beautifully crafted, natural materials made of wood, cloth, and stone.
- Well-known Judeo-Christian stories help all children, regardless of any religious affiliation, build their cultural literacy as they explore questions of ethics, values, and spirituality.
- Each lesson concludes with “I wonder” prompts that invite thoughtful reflection and personal connection to the stories.
5th Grade
Students explore World Religions, learning about beliefs and practices beyond the Judeo-Christian tradition.
As they come to understand these beliefs, they seek points of connection as well as unique perspectives amongst the religions.
6th Grade
Help students synthesize what they have learned, focusing on questions they have about spirituality in general, specific religions, and ethics.
Social-Emotional Learning
Social-emotional learning is woven throughout every part of the school day at St. James’, with intentional focus during touchpoints with our School Counselor. Our Counselor teaches dedicated SEL classes and oversees The Center for Belonging, a welcoming space where students can seek support for personal, academic, or social concerns. Through Lunch Bunch group sessions, students receive guidance navigating friendship dynamics and other developmental topics, while parents benefit from education and support around any challenges their children may be facing.
All Elementary grade teachers—both homeroom and co-curricular—are trained in Responsive Classroom, a research-based approach that emphasizes the development of social-emotional competencies including cooperation, advocacy, responsibility, empathy, and self-control. Each day begins with Morning Meeting, where students participate in a social-emotional check-in that sets the foundation for a positive and productive day ahead.
Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
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My Favorite Co-Curricular Class
