DEVELOPING IN CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP, AND INDEPENDENCE
Transitioning into Independence
Grades 3-6 are pivotal years. Park Street School’s Upper Elementary student experience combines new content with applied knowledge. We develop the art of questioning and hone research skills using authentic resources. We solve problems and express ourselves in new and innovative ways through technology, fine arts, scientific experiment, mathematical discovery, and explicit writing genres. In preparation for Middle School, students have additional class time in Science and subject areas including Drama, Technology, and Design Learning.
Experiences connect learning in the upper grades. Students make deeper connections and see real-life application in a variety of ways. They construct instruments to understand sound, including the frequencies and intensities of sound waves, in third grade; build sets and perform Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in fifth grade; make their way out of a Math-themed escape room in fourth grade; and build water bottle rockets to launch at the Esplanade.
Science, Technology, Fine Arts & New Skills
What Makes Grades 3-6 Special
“Mini Middle School” — Grade 5-6
Grades 5 and 6 students engage in a “Mini Middle School” model that features teacher specialists for each subject, rotation of classes, homeroom clusters, daily recess, and meaningful integration of key themes and topics across disciplines. This model nurtures life skills such as organization, time management, and flexibility as well as collaboration and engaged interaction with teachers and peers.
Poised and Confident
Confidence is built over time and with opportunity. We start at a young age to engage students in public speaking. Opportunities abound to grow in poise and confidence. Fifth graders share pieces of poetry they’ve written with their peers at the “Poetry Cafe.” Boys and girls in Grade 4 perform monologues at the medieval banquet. Third graders winsomely enact Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the “Evening of the Arts” event for the whole Elementary School. Older students are paired with younger “reading buddies,” and grow in being a role model. And, our sixth graders emcee Chapel. By the time our sixth graders graduate, they are poised, confident, and resilient.
Growing a Love of Learning with Real-Life Application
The combination of our breadth of content with applied knowledge develops a love of learning in students. They learn the art of questioning, to hone their research skills based on authentic resources, to problem-solve, and express themselves creatively through technology, fine arts, scientific experiments, mathematical discovery, and explicit writing genres.
Holistic Nurturing of Character
The God-given gifts of each child are recognized and intentionally cultivated in our caring, yet challenging learning environment. We encourage students’ unique academic, spiritual, social-emotional, and physical development. This produces leaders of influence who exemplify character through responsible behavior, empathy, collaboration, and perseverance.
Core Subjects
Language Arts
Daily
Math
Daily
History
Three times a week; Integrated into lessons to enrich learning
Science
Twice a week (Grade 3); Three times a week (Grades 4-6)
Specials
Art
Once a Week
Music
Once a Week
Design Learning
Once a week (Grades 5-6) ; Integrated into lessons to enrich learning (Grades 3-6)
Technology Literacy
Once a week (Grades 5-6); Integrated into centers, and daily learning (Grades 3-6) (Twenty-first century skills and tools are used and taught more formally: research skills, laptop and iPad usage; Office365 instruction; digital ethics and e-mail and social media etiquette)
Drama
Once a week formal class (Grade 3); Incorporated into lessons to enrich learning (Grades 4-6) (Includes production of plays, monologues, and hosting Christmas and Spring concerts)
Gym
Twice a Week
Spanish
Twice a Week
Bible
Twice a week; Integrated into lessons to enrich learning
Choir
Once a Week ( Grades 4-6)
Questions about Upper Elementary
What is some of the curriculum you use at the Elementary School?
In addition to Core Knowledge and Everyday Mathematics, the Lower Elementary uses fun, research-based curriculum such as Wilson Language Basics' Fundations as our phonics program, Open Court, Handwriting Without Tears, Everyday Math, and Shurley Grammar. We use Responsive Classroom as the basis for our social and emotional learning curriculum throughout the school.
The Upper Elementary also uses Shurley Grammar, Fundations, and Keyboarding Without Tears. Third graders use Zaner-Bloser's Cursive Handwriting. Fourth through sixth grade students are introduced to classical literature and novels that enhance and integrate with Core Knowledge units as well as Vocabulary from Classical Roots. Students in Grade 5 and 6 begin instruction in Office365, the usage of iPads, and are taught how to be digital citizens of integrity.
Where do children go for recess?
Our immediate access to Boston’s best known wide open green spaces makes us a rare downtown school. Our students play in the Boston Common, the Public Garden, and/or at the Esplanade Playspace daily, weather permitting. When weather conditions prevent us from going outside, we utilize our onsite gyms or classrooms for recess.
As a Christian school, do you teach evolution in science class?
At Park Street School, we love science! In fact, our graduates have consistently won science fair awards in middle school. We confidently teach evolution, discuss creation, and talk about other views of the beginning and formation of life in order to offer a fair and balanced presentation of current research and evidence.
Do children take field trips?
Yes. We love field trips! Starting with our Toddler classes, we venture out into Boston to explore and learn. In order to take advantage of the rich cultural, historical, and educational opportunities of Boston and the surrounding areas, several field trips are scheduled during the school year. Our youngest learners visit the Cambridge Street Fire Station to meet some of our Community Helpers, stop in at the post office to see how letters get from one place to another, or walk to the "T" as we explore different types of transportation. Our older students visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Lung Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, Symphony Hall, the Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library, the Japanese House at the Children's Museum, or even the monuments that are steps away in the Boston Common and Public Garden. There are simply too many outings to list! We invite you to imagine the many ways Boston is our largest classroom.
Who will teach my child at Park Street School?
Park Street School hires qualified teachers who exhibit creativity, energy, and a nurturing spirit. All of our teachers and associate teachers hold Bachelor’s degrees, and many have completed or are in process of completing master's degrees. Our Administration and lead teachers at the Preschool meet or exceed the requirements laid out by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).