Grammar School - Special Programs

The art program is designed to provide our students with the opportunity to develop their own artistic sensibility. Small and highly personalized classes meet once a week in our well-equipped studios. Students are exposed to drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, and woodworking. In grades 5 and 6, students select semester-long studies in drama, photography, mixed media, or drawing and painting.

Students in grades 2-6 who want to study a foreign language may extend one school day a week by 75 minutes to learn either Spanish or French.

The Grammar School has two computer labs: one for Pre-K through 4th grade and one for the 5th and 6th grades. Curriculum related computer activities, coordinated by the classroom teachers and the computer specialist, take place in both the classrooms and the computer labs. Each classroom has two to three computers. Each computer lab is equipped with twelve to sixteen computers, one laser printer, one color ink-jet printer, and one scanner. The entire school is networked and has high-speed internet. A large selection of educational software is used to support the curriculum at each level. In Computer Class we emphasize learning Logo programming using MicroWorlds. We also reinforce basic word processing, Internet research, keyboarding, desktop publishing, and spreadsheet skills.

The music program helps to develop our students' ability to understand, enjoy, and perform music. In addition to musical literacy, singing and instruments are important components in their music education. In grade four, each student studies an instrument. Students participate in winter and spring concerts, which include both vocal and instrument selections.

The physical education program is designed to foster interest and enjoyment in movement and physical activities that will remain with our students throughout their lives. The goal of the physical education program is not to produce professional athletes, but rather to offer each child a wide variety of movement experiences and physical activities. We seek to promote a feeling of well-being and self-esteem.

The swimming program in kindergarten through second grade emphasizes small group instruction. Students develop skills in water adjustment, floatation, and the basic elements of swimming. Beginning in grade three, students are divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced level swimming groups. Instruction, drills, games, and free swim are incorporated into the program to create a varied and well-balanced experience for every student.

In addition to physical education classes, students in Pre-K and K participate in creative movement classes with a dance instructor. This instruction uses imagery and problem solving to teach children about their bodies. It provides students with opportunities for using movement as a vehicle for self-expression and developing coordination and balance.

Chess provides students in kindergarten and grade one with a challenging thinking activity that builds skills that can be transferred to other subjects. Chess classes consist of instruction and guided play. As students master the basics, they learn to solve problems and ask the right questions before making their moves. Children who want to pursue chess further can participate in morning and after-school groups.

The main goals of the Grammar School Library program are to instill the love of reading in our students and to help them become life-long, independent users of libraries for pleasure and information. Both Grammar School libraries have on-line catalogs, automated circulation systems, and Internet access.