The elementary and middle grades at the Laurel Hill School offer a comprehensive student plan that correlates individual potential and readiness with clearly stated personal, social and academic goals. From kindergarten through eighth grade, the core of the student plan remains focused on the developing child as a valued, responsible and productive person capable of appreciating the complexity of the world and adding to its richness. Each child progresses at his/her own pace in order to achieve both personal and academic success. The curriculum is responsive to different levels of development in basic skills and to different student learning styles. A rich variety of teaching methods, techniques and resources are utilized.

READING & ENGLISH
The early grades focus on phonemic awareness, phonics and word knowledge as well as a strong emphasis on comprehension and inquiry skills. The reading program transforms to a full English program as study advances in the later grades. All grades enjoy a literature-rich environment that creates opportunities for the critical analysis of literature and its meaning for understanding human nature and society. We encourage a lifelong love of books. Student participation in the Headmaster’s Book Club and the Classic Classics literature program aids the achievement of this goal.

LANGUAGE ARTS
The writing process is emphasized at the Laurel Hill School. Integrated with the reading curriculum, students experience writing as a craft and as an art. Boys and girls learn to compose, edit, revise and publish. Students are introduced to all forms of creative writing, poetry and nonfiction. Students keep journals and anthologies and submit personal writing for school publication.