Elementary School

Learning. Laughter. Discovery. Kindergarten at ACDS encompasses the creative play of childhood and learning opportunities designed to enrich the whole child.

With a 15:1 student to teacher ratio, the ACDS Kindergarten program features small class sizes enabling our dedicated teachers to provide individualized attention. Kindergarten at ACDS features a wide range of activities that engage the spectrum of developmental skills critical to later academic success: pre-academic practice, self-care, focus and self-control, social interaction, sensory-motor progression — and fun! Outside of the classroom, kindergarten students attend field trips that connect to our current studies.

Our teachers create a joyful, safe learning environment that includes circle time, instructional centers and self-directed tasks. We also welcome guest speakers throughout the year to share their professional expertise, cultural knowledge, and other topics of interest to the children.

Curriculum

A Day in the Life of a Kindergarten Student 

Our Kindergarten students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a Kindergarten student at ACDS.

The transition to first grade is an exciting one for students — a move to the elementary school campus, a full day from 8 a.m. –  3:10 p.m., the children's first ACDS musical theater production, and other first grade traditions.

Our first grade homeroom teachers provide instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.

Curriculum

A Day in the Life of a 1st Grade Student 

Our 1st Grade students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a 1st Grade student at ACDS.

Second graders cultivate their curiosity and build autonomy in a safe, motivating environment.

Students study early innovators and demonstrate their knowledge through video and group presentations. Budding entrepreneurs collaborate to create math stores using learned math concepts. Books come to life in second grade through various hands-on projects and presentations. Second grade homeroom consists of instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies while adding several engaging enrichments throughout the week.

Curriculum

A Day in the Life of a 2nd Grade Student 

Our 2nd Grade students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a 2nd Grade student at ACDS.

Third graders bring increased attention spans and capacity for inquiry to new learning opportunities this year, featuring activities ranging from student-led hand-puppet book reports and an afternoon of kite-flying while learning of its origins.

Our third grade homeroom teachers provide instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.

Curriculum

A Day in the Life of a 3rd Grade Student 

Our 3rd Grade students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a 3rd Grade student at ACDS.

Around this time, students really begin to see and respect different points-of-view, understand cause and effect, show independence, and can view matters from a big-picture standpoint. Our robust curriculum is developmentally appropriate for this age and provides outlets for expression including project-based learning.

Our fourth grade homeroom teachers provide instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.

Curriculum

A Day in the Life of a 4th Grade Student 

Our 4th Grade students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a 4th Grade student at ACDS.

Fifth graders at ACDS bring their increased capacity for complex thought and problem-solving to this grade’s collaborative, project-based activities.

Students delve into reading and writing with purpose across the genres- realistic fiction, fantasy, non fiction, and argument and advocacy. In mathematics, they learn and apply a multitude of strategies to solve real-life problems. In social studies, students study and analyze the history of the United States and its origins. Fifth graders collaborate and partner for hands-on projects and investigations across the curriculum. Students experience a week of outdoor learning and cabin living at WOLF Science camp in Aptos, California.

Our fifth grade homeroom teachers provide instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.

Curriculum

A Day in the Life of a 5th Grade Student 

Our 5th Grade students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a 5th Grade student at ACDS.