Elementary Program
The Elementary School Program
During the Elementary years at Harborlight, children in grades one through six discover and develop their unique talents and capabilities. Each individual learner builds upon his educational foundation, pursuing academic goals as learning becomes its own reward.
Elementary School Objective
Harborlight produces compassionate, considerate, and active classmates, citizens, and future leaders. Harborlight graduates maintain and foster:
- A life-long enthusiasm for learning
- A confidence in their ability to succeed
- Independence in their work, thoughts, and decisions
Guiding Academic Achievement
Elementary-age children have limitless intellectual curiosity and are capable of great effort, concentration, and academic achievement. The Harborlight elementary curriculum is designed to utilize and strengthen the child’s natural interests and energies. The child and teacher work together to create an environment that educates, inspires, and satisfies the desire to explore complex concepts.
The elementary classrooms at Harborlight are designed to complement both the intellectual and social strengths and needs of every child. The elementary child’s desire to explore, find connections, and answer questions make independent research and projects a critical part of learning. Capitalizing on the strength of the child’s reasoning mind, concrete materials lead to the understanding and mastery of abstract ideas. Inspiring and enlightening lessons are given to engage the intellectual imagination.
Independent and small group work is essential in the elementary classroom. Montessori children seek challenges, ask and answer questions, and solve problems. Early childhood exposure to academics, decision making, self-discipline, and social relationships, builds a foundation for self-directed learning, reasoning, abstract thinking, and developing leadership and interpersonal skills.
Establishing a Scholastic Atmosphere
Responsibility and independence are the principal attributes of the Harborlight elementary students. Challenged to be responsible for the social and physical components of the classroom, students create a welcoming and accepting atmosphere while developing considerate and cooperative relationships. Encouraged to take initiative, Harborlight students exhibit ingenuity, diligence, and self-expression in all aspects of their studies. Moving towards cognitive and personal organization, the students prioritize, plan, and manage their time in both their daily work and with long-term, independent projects.
Education as an “Aid to Life”
In teaching the whole child to become a responsible, independent, resourceful adult, a Harborlight education moves beyond the limitations of the classroom. This comprehensive and interdisciplinary curriculum compels the children to extend their knowledge by using libraries, visiting museums, attending lectures, conducting interviews, and exploring nature. Utilizing the knowledge learned in the classroom and community, the students embrace the possibility of applying academic lessons in authentic situations. In upper elementary, Harborlight incorporates traveling, outdoor education, internships, and community service.
