Teacher working with students writing on a piece of paper

Elementary
School

At Pine Street Elementary, students build a strong foundation for lifelong learning in an environment that sparks curiosity and celebrates discovery. With hands-on projects, student-led inquiry, and meaningful connections to the world around them, children grow into confident, capable learners—ready to think deeply, take initiative, and collaborate with purpose.

A Strong Foundation

At Pine Street School, our Kindergarten through 5th Grade program fosters curiosity, independence, and joy through a student-centered, inquiry-based approach. Rooted in the International Baccalaureate framework and our “City as a School” philosophy, students engage in hands-on projects that connect learning to the real world. Small class sizes allow for personalized instruction, encouraging intellectual rigor while nurturing each child’s confidence and creativity. Every step of the elementary journey is designed to help our students grow into thoughtful, engaged, and empowered learners.

Pine Street School’s Kindergarten is an exciting gateway into the Elementary School experience, following the full International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). In this vibrant year, students dive into dynamic, collaborative Units of Inquiry that spark creativity and innovation, setting the stage for a lifelong love of learning.

The IB PYP framework integrates multiple subjects, encouraging children to explore key concepts while developing critical thinking, reflection, and action skills. As students engage with the curriculum, they cultivate essential abilities such as communication, self-management, and social interaction — all vital for their future success.

With a holistic focus on academic, social, emotional, physical, and cultural development, our Kindergarteners grow into internationally-minded citizens through engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences. Subjects are explored in a connected, transdisciplinary manner, seamlessly weaving together language (both English and the Target Language), math, science, arts, and more. This rich integration fosters a deeper understanding of concepts, enhances retention, and makes learning relevant and engaging.

At Pine Street School, Kindergarten is not just about laying the academic foundation; it’s about nurturing curious, confident, and compassionate learners ready to embrace the world around them.

At Pine Street School, our Elementary Program for Grades 1 through 5 builds on the strong foundation established in Kindergarten, offering a rich and dynamic learning experience that nurtures each child's curiosity and love for learning. Our approach is built on several key pillars:

Transdisciplinary Learning: Core subjects are taught through a transdisciplinary approach, promoting interconnected thinking rooted in authentic experiences. This method encourages students to see the relationships between different areas of knowledge, enhancing their understanding and engagement.
1:1 Device Program: We embrace technology as a vital part of education. Our 1:1 device program ensures that every student has access to the tools they need, with technology integrated across all disciplines to enhance learning and foster digital literacy.
Inquiry and Collaboration: We intentionally plan for inquiry, collaboration, and communication in our lessons, helping students develop essential problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Our classrooms are designed to be interactive, allowing students to explore ideas together and learn from one another.
Target Language Immersion: For a third of the day, students engage in immersive language programming in either Spanish or Mandarin, strengthening their language skills and cultural awareness while enriching their overall educational experience.
Specialized Instruction in Arts and Physical Education: Our dedicated subject specialists teach PE, music, and arts, providing students with a well-rounded education that fosters creativity, self-expression, and physical well-being.

As students progress through Grades 1 to 5, they continue to build upon the strong foundations laid in their early years, developing a deeper understanding of concepts and honing their skills as thoughtful, engaged learners. At Pine Street School, we prepare our students not only for academic success but also for a lifetime of inquiry, creativity, and engaged citizenship in an ever-changing world.