Elementary School

“We are dedicated to the balanced development of all children in the Elementary School, with a belief that in addition to fostering strong academic achievement, we must also provide strong opportunities for positive social and emotional development. We strive daily to offer an active, engaging, and stimulating learning environment for all students in order to help them become their best selves for a better world.”
– Kristen VanOllefen, Principal

During the week, students have Art, Design, French, Library, Malagasy, Music, and Physical Education classes. Students who are non-native speakers of English or with specific learning needs will receive support from our Student Support Team. They may get support in class or be pulled out for individual or group instruction to develop their skills.

Classes in Elementary School are from 7:45am to 2:45pm, 5 days per week. Students may come on campus from 7:15am onwards, and are expected to leave the campus after 2.45pm unless they are in a supervised activity. A wide range of after-school activities are offered from 3pm to 3:45pm on a trimester basis.

Outside play is important. We have a fully equipped adventure play area that has ample space for students to run around, explore and play.

Field trips are organized by each ES grade level depending on the Unit of Inquiry (UOI) that the class is studying at the time. Some field trips may involve the support and assistance of parents.

Elementary students do not usually have regularly assigned homework. Unfinished class work may be assigned. Students are encouraged to read every night at home, and it can also be very beneficial when parents get involved with learning by asking their child what they did or what they have learned.

Students will study English language arts and mathematics daily with their Homeroom teacher. As part of the IB Primary Years Programme, much of the learning that takes place in the classrooms happens during Units of Inquiry (UOI):

• Multidisciplinary
• Inquiry-based
• Student-driven
• Carefully structured

Throughout the school year, each class will explore six Units of Inquiry (UOI) related to the following themes:

• Who We Are
• How We Organize Ourselves
• How We Express Ourselves
• How the World Works
• Sharing the Planet
• Where We Are in Place and Time

Through inquiry, students will be:

• actively involved in their own learning and take responsibility for that learning
• encouraged to think, challenge and extend their ideas
• prompted to reflect and to take action

Parents will receive two written semester reports during the year. In October and in April, parents will have the opportunity to meet individually with homeroom and specialist teachers during Parent-Teacher Conferences. These conferences provide a checkpoint for parents to see how their child is progressing, give an opportunity for students to discuss their learning goals with their teacher(s) and parents, and provide students with the opportunity to participate in the ‘conversation’ about their learning and their social/emotional development.