Academics
Program & Curriculum
Literacy & Language Arts
A Love of Language for Life
Literacy is more than reading and writing—it’s about discovering new worlds, sharing ideas, and finding your voice. Our Language Arts program nurtures a lifelong love of language, helping students grow into confident communicators, curious thinkers, and joyful readers and writers.
From the earliest years, children are immersed in storytelling, conversation, and creative expression. They build strong foundations in phonemic awareness, phonics, word study, spelling, and handwriting through authentic reading and writing experiences. As they grow, so do their skills in literary analysis, perspective-taking, and crafting a distinct writing voice.
In Lower and Middle School, students deepen their mastery of vocabulary, grammar, and literary conventions across a range of genres. They learn to read critically and write in multiple forms—narrative, informative, persuasive, and poetic. Whether publishing original books, leading discussions, or sharing ideas with an audience, students learn to think deeply, express themselves clearly, and connect with others through language.
Our curriculum follows best practices and trusted frameworks, including the Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. With consistent Units of Study in Reading, Writing, Phonics, and Grammar from K-8, students benefit from a cohesive, research-backed approach. Programs like Learning Without Tears support handwriting and cursive development in the early years.
From the earliest years, children are immersed in storytelling, conversation, and creative expression. They build strong foundations in phonemic awareness, phonics, word study, spelling, and handwriting through authentic reading and writing experiences. As they grow, so do their skills in literary analysis, perspective-taking, and crafting a distinct writing voice.
In Lower and Middle School, students deepen their mastery of vocabulary, grammar, and literary conventions across a range of genres. They learn to read critically and write in multiple forms—narrative, informative, persuasive, and poetic. Whether publishing original books, leading discussions, or sharing ideas with an audience, students learn to think deeply, express themselves clearly, and connect with others through language.
Our curriculum follows best practices and trusted frameworks, including the Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. With consistent Units of Study in Reading, Writing, Phonics, and Grammar from K-8, students benefit from a cohesive, research-backed approach. Programs like Learning Without Tears support handwriting and cursive development in the early years.
The Workshop Model: A Personalized Approach to Literacy
Our K-8 literacy program is anchored in the Columbia Teachers College Reading and Writing Project and delivered through the workshop model. Whole-group lessons, small-group instruction, and one-on-one coaching provide personalized support while encouraging independence in reading and writing.
In Writer’s Workshop, students explore the writing process—generating ideas, drafting, revising, and publishing—across three primary genres:
Reader’s Workshop builds reading stamina, comprehension, and an appreciation for diverse voices. Units include fiction and nonfiction, with opportunities for:
In Writer’s Workshop, students explore the writing process—generating ideas, drafting, revising, and publishing—across three primary genres:
- Narrative: Personal stories, realistic fiction, historical fiction
- Opinion: Arguments and persuasive essays backed by evidence
- Informational: Research-based reports, explanatory texts, and memoirs
Reader’s Workshop builds reading stamina, comprehension, and an appreciation for diverse voices. Units include fiction and nonfiction, with opportunities for:
- Independent reading and book choice
- Skill-building in decoding, fluency, and comprehension
- Small-group discussions and partner work
- Literary analysis through book clubs and Socratic seminars
Curriculum by Grade
List of 4 items.
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Early Childhood
In our ECE program, literacy is embedded in meaningful, play-based experiences rooted in children’s interests. Students explore language by writing signs for block structures, dictating stories to accompany their drawings, and playing with letters and sounds through sensory materials.Read More -
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
In the early grades, literacy learning is multi-faceted and integrated throughout the day. Students develop phonemic awareness, phonics skills, spelling patterns, and knowledge of high-frequency words. During writing workshop, they generate ideas, plan across pages, and elaborate using pictures, labels, and early sentences—progressing to structured narratives, opinion pieces, and informational writing based on their own experiences.Read More -
3rd - 5th Grade
Read MoreAs students progress, they strengthen their comprehension and analytical skills. Reading centers introduce fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and primary sources. Socratic seminars encourage critical thinking, while writing workshops help students articulate opinions, construct persuasive arguments, and synthesize information into polished essays and reports. -
6th - 8th Grade
In Middle School, students refine their reading, writing, and speaking skills in preparation for high school and beyond. Writing assignments include:Read More- Narrative storytelling
- Research-based informative writing
- Persuasive and argumentative essays
975 North San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
The School admits students of any race, color, and national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and ethnic origin, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.
