Elementary Program
The Multi-Grade Experience
At Lesley Ellis School, a progressive preschool through eighth-grade independent school in Arlington, MA, our elementary program for kindergarten through fourth grade nurtures curious, confident learners within small class sizes and a close-knit school community. Families seeking a small, independent elementary school in the Boston area find a program where each child is known, valued, and supported through personalized attention and hands-on learning.
Beginning in first grade, students learn in thoughtfully designed multi-grade classrooms, where first and second graders and third and fourth graders learn together in collaborative two-year learning communities. Kindergarten students continue to learn in a dedicated classroom before joining this dynamic structure. This innovative model reflects our belief that learning should not be limited by rigid grade labels. Rather than teaching “first graders” or “third graders,” our teachers focus on the individual learners in front of them, supporting each child’s development through flexible instruction and responsive teaching.
With two teachers in every elementary classroom, students benefit from strong academic guidance and meaningful relationships with educators who truly know them. Having the same teachers for two consecutive years allows for deeper understanding of each child’s strengths, interests, and learning style. Within this environment, younger students gain inspiration from older peers, while older students grow into mentors and leaders, developing the collaboration, empathy, and social-emotional skills that are essential to a thriving community.
Our elementary curriculum is thoughtfully designed in two-year cycles, introducing new topics each year while reinforcing essential academic skills. Through hands-on, inquiry-based learning, students develop strong critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Teachers spark imagination, encourage exploration, and support both independent and collaborative learning, helping children discover connections across subjects and experiences.
As students progress through our independent elementary school in Arlington, MA, they gradually move from concrete understanding toward more abstract thinking, learning to analyze ideas, ask meaningful questions, and approach challenges with confidence. Within our inclusive independent school, academic growth is balanced with character development, creativity, and compassion.
Elementary school days offer a thoughtful balance of structure and flexibility. Teachers design engaging lessons while remaining responsive to students’ curiosity and discoveries, allowing time to explore ideas more deeply when inspiration strikes. In this way, learning becomes meaningful, relevant, and joyful—preparing students not only for middle school, but for a lifetime of thoughtful engagement with the world.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten
Every year is a big year in the elementary grades, but in many ways, kindergarten is an especially pivotal year in a child’s educational journey. Building on their earliest childhood experiences, kindergartners continue to learn through meaningful, hands-on projects, as they are introduced to a more structured day with regularly scheduled learning activities.
Grades 1 and 2
Grades 1 and 2
First and second graders at Lesley Ellis School are energized by the process of becoming competent, engaged readers and writers. Their developing understanding of the value of money becomes concrete when they open a virtual restaurant in their classroom. Growing plants for the school garden, singing in the lower elementary chorus, cooking empanadas in Spanish class, designing and testing a robotic vehicle…our first and second grade classrooms become microcosms of the real world and make learning engaging, meaningful, and fun.
Grades 3 and 4
Grades 3 and 4
Third and fourth grade students are beginning to assert their independence and leadership skills. Students play an important role in creating stimulating and respectful classroom communities by sharing ideas and opinions, learning mediation skills, and working collaboratively on research projects. Students perfect their reading and writing skills through writing workshops, poetry studies, and small reading groups. The curriculum offers increasing opportunities for self-discovery and expression, evident in the weekly dedicated arts block.