Program overview

Joyful, purposeful learning

In Kindergarten through Grade 4, students build strong academic foundations while experiencing the joy of discovery. Our progressive Mandarin immersion program invites children to ask questions, investigate ideas, solve problems, create, and share their learning with others.

Learning is active and connected. Rather than encountering subjects only in isolation, students explore meaningful questions and ideas across disciplines, developing the knowledge and skills to think critically and apply their learning in new contexts.

Learning in two languages

Mandarin is the primary language of learning in Elementary School, giving students authentic opportunities to use the language as they communicate, collaborate, investigate, and reflect. Students also have a dedicated English class every day, where they build strong foundations in reading and writing, developing the literacy skills to become confident and sophisticated bilingual learners.

Inquiry, projects, and real world connections

Units of Exploration (UoEs) are at the heart of the Elementary School learning experience. Through these interdisciplinary units, students explore real world questions and problems across subject areas in both Mandarin and English, making connections rather than experiencing learning in isolated subjects.

Units of Exploration (UoEs) are at the heart of the Elementary School learning experience. Through these interdisciplinary units, students explore real world questions and problems across subject areas in both Mandarin and English, making connections rather than experiencing learning in isolated subjects.

Within each UoE, students investigate, collaborate, create, and apply their growing knowledge and skills in new contexts. Teachers guide and deepen these explorations while creating opportunities for students’ questions, interests, and perspectives to shape their learning.

This inquiry-based approach helps students see connections across disciplines, develop increasingly sophisticated ways of thinking, and understand that learning is something they actively participate in and make meaning from.

A rich and balanced school day

Learning extends beyond the core academic program. Arts, Maker, and Movement give students dedicated time to develop skills, experiment with new ideas, and engage their minds and bodies in different ways.

These specialist classes complement and connect with learning across the Elementary program, giving students opportunities to create, design, build, move, and bring ideas to life.

Outdoor recess and time for play and connection round out a school day designed to support children’s learning and well-being.

Growing as learners and people

Elementary School is a time of tremendous growth. Across these years, students develop greater independence and responsibility while learning how to collaborate, persevere through challenges, reflect on their choices, and contribute to a community.

By the end of Grade 4, students are prepared for the next stage of their PKS journey, when they enter Middle School in Grade 5 and take on new levels of independence, challenge, and responsibility.