THE CROSSROADS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
GRADES K-5: WHERE
CURIOSITY,COMMUNITY & CREATIVITY THRIVE
AtCrossroadsSchoolforArts&Sciences,theK-5Elementary divisionisdesignedtodomorethaneducate:It’sbuiltto inspire.Webelievethatatrulyexcellenteducationbeginswith deephumanconnection,isfueledbycuriosityandcreativity, andissustainedbyastrongsenseofpurposeandbelonging.
We are a community of THINKERS and FEELERS, ARTISTS and BUILDERS, QUESTIONERS and COLLABORATORS.
AtCrossroadsyou’llfindstudentswhoaredeeplyengaged: sketchingideas,debatingethics,plantingseeds,building robots,writingstoriesandlookinginwardtounderstand themselvesandoneanother.
Thecurriculumisdynamic,responsiveandjoyfullyrigorous.
Ourapproachhonorsthewholechild—intellectually,socially, emotionallyandphysically—andisgroundedinthebeliefthat childrenthrivewhentheyareseen,heardandchallengedin meaningfulways.
Everyclassroomisavibrantlearningcommunitywhere studentsexplorebigideas,askthoughtfulquestions,take creativerisksandgrowinconfidenceandcompassion.
Teachersknowtheirstudentsintimately anddesignlearningexperiencesthatstretchminds, centeridentityandmakespaceforjoy.
Withtwoleadteachersineveryclassroom,supportedbyanassociateteacher,weoffera rarekindofpersonalizationthatvaluesthewholechildandhonorseachlearner’space, passionandperspective.Ourteachersdesignexperiential,inquiry-drivenlessonsthat connectclassroomlearningtothewiderworld,encouragingstudentstoseethemselves asthinkers,creators,collaboratorsandchangemakers.
Ourcurriculumintegratesacademics,creativeexpression,social-emotional developmentandreal-worldrelevance.Whetherexploringwhatitmeanstobepartofa community,unpackingmediabiasorevensnorkelingoffCatalinaIsland,studentsbuild theskillsandvaluesthey’llcarryforlife:criticalthinking,empathy,courage,collaboration, curiosityandacommitmenttosocialjustice.
FamilieswhochooseCrossroadsjoinacommunitythatdeeplyvaluesprogressive education,diverseperspectivesandthecultivationofbothacademicstrengthand personalintegrity.Wedon’tjustpreparestudentsformiddleschool,wepreparethemto thriveandleadwithpassionandpurpose.Ourstudentsdon’tjustlearnfacts—theylearn towonder,connect,imagineboldlyandcaredeeply.
corevalues 6
AtCrossroadsElementarySchool,ourapproachto teachingandlearningisgroundedinsixcore valuesthatshapeeveryclassroomexperience. Theseprinciplesaremorethaneducationalideals, they’redailypracticesthatdefinewhoweareand howwesupporteverychild.
1 2 3
BELONGING JOYFUL LEARNING WHOLE-CHILD FOCUS
RelationshipsFirst, Always
Webelievechildren learnbestwhenthey feelsafe,knownand valued.That’swhywe prioritizestrong,trusting relationshipsbetween students,teachersand families.Frommorning greetingsand classroomritualstoour schoolwideCouncil program,wecultivatea culturewhereevery childfeelsseen,heard andcelebrated.
CuriosityIsOurCompass
WalkintoaCrossroads classroomandyou’llhear thehumofdiscovery,the buzzofcollaborationand thesparkofimagination. Wedesignhands-on, play-filledandpurposeful learningexperiencesthat makestudentseagerto cometoschooleachday, andexcitedtolearn outsideoftheclassroom.
AcademicRigorMeets EmotionalIntelligence
We’rejustasinvestedin eachchild’semotional wellbeingaswearein theiracademicprogress. Ourcurriculumnurtures intellectualgrowth alongsideself-awareness, empathyandresilience. Childrendeveloptheskills tothinkcritically,express themselvesclearlyand collaboratewith compassion.
4 5 6
REAL-WORLD CONNECTIONS
LearningThatMatters BeyondtheClassroom
Fromstudyingfood accessinkindergarten toexaminingmediabias infifthgrade,our studentsconnect classroomconceptsto theworldaroundthem. Fieldwork,service learningandinquirydrivenprojectsinvite childrentobecome curious,active participantsintheir communitiesand beyond.
DEPTH OVER BREADTH
ThinkingDeeply, NotJustWidely
Ratherthanrushing throughcontent,wegive studentstimetodigin—to question,exploreand createmeaning.Our teachersdesignrich, open-ended investigationsthatfoster deepunderstanding, ratherthansurface-level memorization.Wevalue qualityoverquantityand processoverperfection.
DIFFERENTIATION
MeetingEveryLearner, EveryDay
Notwolearnersarethe same,andweembrace that.Withtwolead teachersinevery classroom,flexible groupingsandalow student-to-teacherratio, wetailorinstructionto meeteachchildwhere theyare.Whethera studentneedssupport, extensionorafresh challenge,ourapproach ensuresthateverylearner isengaged,empowered andgrowing.
Language Arts
Ourliteracyprogramempowersstudentstoread,write,speakandlistenwithconfidence andpurpose.Ourapproachintegratesphonics,comprehensionandwritingcraft.Through personalizedconferencesandjoyfulworkshops,studentsexplorediversetexts,compose acrossgenresandengageinpurposefulpublishingexperiences.
K
Developearlyreading skillsthroughdaily instructioninphonemic awarenessandphonics
Strengthenvocabulary, literatureanalysisand comprehensionthrough sharedandguided reading
Beginwritingwitha focusonstorytelling, sequencingand descriptivedetail
Expressideasthrough illustrations,labelingand constructingsimple sentenceswithjoyand growingindependence
Curriculum:Mossflower, HandwritingWithoutTears, Fundations
1st
Transitionfromlearning toreadtoreadingto learn Continuesystematic instructioninphonics, decodingandfluency
Deepencomprehension andvocabularythrough guidedreadingandtexts
Write“smallmoment” narratives,opinionpieces andsimplenonfiction
Explorethepowerof wordsthrough discussionsabout kindness,truthand necessity
Curriculum:Mossflower, HandwritingWithoutTears, Fundations
2nd
Strengthenreading fluency,phrasingand expression
Analyzecharacter, structureandtheme throughliterature
Engageinthefullwriting process:planning, drafting,revisingand publishing
Writenarrative,opinion andinformationaltexts withincreasing organizationanddetail
Buildvocabulary,discover languagepatternsand meanings
Curriculum:Mossflower, HandwritingWithoutTears, Fundations
3rd 4th 5th
Deepenskillsin interpretation,analysisand reflection
Readcomplextextsand discusscharactertraits, themesandauthor’scraft
Usereadingnotebooksto recordideas,connections andinsights
Strengthenwritingthrough focusonorganization, paragraphingand descriptivelanguage
Participateincollaborative discussionsthatsupport evidence-basedthinking
Curriculum:Mossflower Phonics,HandwritingWithout Tears
Readarangeoffiction, nonfictionandpoetrytexts thatfosterempathyand criticalthought
Respondtotextsthrough literarydiscussions, reflectionsandwritten analyses
Refinewritingwith attentiontostructure, grammarand punctuation
Embracerevisionand creativitywhileexploring thebalancebetweentruth andimagination
Deepencomprehension andanalyticalthinking
Curriculum:Mossflower, HandwritingWithoutTears, ClassicalRoots
Prepareformiddleschool throughrigorousreading andwritingexperiences
Analyzetheme,character developmentand author’spurposein complextexts
Developstrongnarrative, opinionandresearch writingskillswithattention togrammarandsyntax
Expandacademic vocabularyand etymology
Engageinliterary discussionsthat encouragemultiple perspectivesand evidence-based reasoning
Emergeasconfident, empathetic communicatorsreadyto uselanguagewithcare andpurpose
Curriculum:Mossflower, HandwritingWithoutTears, ClassicalRoots
Mathematics
Weteachmathasalanguageoflogic,problemsolvingand collaboration.Instructionemphasizesconceptualunderstanding, strategicthinkingandreal-worldapplication.Studentsengagein hands-onmodeling,discussionandindependentpractice,with differentiationembeddedateverygradelevel.AcrossK-5, studentsareexpectedtomodeltheirthinking,perseverethrough challengesandcommunicatemathematicalreasoningclearly.
K-2nd
NumberSense&PlaceValue
Count,read,write,compareandrepresent numbersfrom0-100
Understandplacevaluewithintwo-and three-digitnumbers
Decomposenumbersusingmultiplestrategies
Operations&AlgebraicThinking
Addandsubtractwithin20
Addandsubtractwithin100usinggroupingand regrouping
Understandmultiplicationanddivisionasequal groups
Developfluencywithbasicaddition,subtraction andearlymultiplicationfacts
Fractions
Understandbasicfractionsasequalpartsofa whole
Workwithhalvesandfourthstoseehowequal partsmakeawhole
Measurement,Geometry,Money&Time
Comparelength,height,weightandcapacity
Recognizeandclassify2Dand3Dshapes
Measureusingstandardunits
Countmoneyandtelltimetothehalfhour
MathematicalPractices
Usemodelsandrepresentationsstrategically
Solvemulti-stepproblemswithaccuracyand perseverance
Communicatereasoningandanalyzethe thinkingofothers
Curriculum:
NumberSense&PlaceValue
Compare,representandroundwholenumbers uptoonebillion
Understandandoperatewithdecimalstothe thousandthsplace
Operations&AlgebraicThinking
Add,subtract,multiplyanddividemulti-digit numbersusingefficientstrategiesandstandard algorithms
Developfluencywithmultiplicationanddivision facts
Evaluatenumericalexpressionsusing parentheses,bracketsandbraces
Fractions&Decimals
Compare,simplifyandoperatewithfractions andmixednumbers
Multiplyanddividefractions
Add,subtract,multiplyanddividedecimals
Measurement&Geometry
Classifytwo-dimensionalfiguresbyproperties
Findtheareaandperimeterof2Dfigures
Measureandconvertunitsoflength,weightand capacity
Measureanglesandanalyzegeometric relationships
MathematicalPractices
3rd-5th Curriculum:
Usemodelsandrepresentationsstrategically
Solvemulti-stepproblemswithaccuracyand perseverance
Communicatereasoningandanalyzethe thinkingofothers
Social Studies
SocialStudiesinstructioncentersidentity,communityandsocialjustice throughage-appropriate,inquiry-basedlearningandcivicengagement.
Studentsexplorewhotheyare,howcommunitiesfunctionandhow individualscancontributetoamorejustandinclusiveworld.Learning progressesfrompersonalandlocalconnectionsintheearlygradesto historicalanalysis,civicresponsibilityandglobalawarenessinupper elementary.
AcrossK-5,studentsbuildempathy,criticalthinkingandrespectful dialoguewhilelearningtorecognizemultipleperspectivesandtake meaningfulaction.
BytheendofelementarySocialStudies,studentsareableto:
Understandidentityaspersonal,socialandhistorical Analyzecommunitiesandhistoricaleventsfrommultipleperspectives Recognizefairness,injusticeandsystemsofpower Engagerespectfullyindialogueandcollaboration
Seethemselvesasinformed,empatheticandresponsiblecitizens
K
SELF,COMMUNITYANDFAIRNESS
Kindergartenstudentsbegintheir SocialStudiesjourneyby exploringidentity,familystructure andclassroomcommunity. Learningemphasizeskindness, gratitudeandearly understandingsoffairnessand careforothers.
InquiryThemes
ExploringIdentity:WhoAmI?
Gratitude,NeedsandWants FamiliesandCelebrations
CommunityandJusticein Action
1st
BELONGING,RIGHTSANDVOICE
Firstgradersdeepentheir understandingofidentityand communitywhilelearningabout fairness,responsibilityand advocacy.Studentsexplorehow peoplecreatechangeandhow theirvoicesmatterwithingroups.
InquiryThemes
Identity,Traditionsand Belonging
Equality,EquityandJustice RightsandResponsibilities GenderandIdentity
2nd
EMPATHY,RESILIENCEAND CITIZENSHIP
Secondgradersexaminehow identityconnectstorelationships, communitylifeandthewider world.Studentsbuildempathy, perseveranceandanemerging understandingofcitizenshipand sharedresponsibility.
InquiryThemes
IdentityandBelonging
Empathy,Compassionand Gratitude
ResilienceandGrowth Community,Citizenshipand Justice
CuriosityandGlobal Awareness
3rd 4th
PLACE,HISTORYAND PERSPECTIVE
Thirdgradersstudygeography andhistorythroughaplacebasedexplorationofLosAngeles. StudentsexamineIndigenous histories,migration,cultural diversityandchangeovertime whilestrengtheningresearchand perspective-takingskills.
InquiryThemes
PlaceandIdentity:WhereDo WeLive?
IndigenousPeoplesandEarly LosAngeles
MigrationandtheMakingof Communities
HowLosAngelesHas Changed
Identity,DiversityandRespect
CALIFORNIAHISTORY,POWER ANDCIVICACTION
Fourthgradersinvestigate California’shistorythrough multipleperspectives,examining migration,labor,representation andcivicparticipation.Students learntoquestionnarrativesand connecthistorytocontemporary issues.
InquiryThemes
IdentityandBelonging: BuildingCommunity
IndigenousPerspectivesand EarlyCalifornia
Migration,Immigrationand Labor
Civics,ElectionsandCivic Action
ContributionsAcrossCultures
5th
U.S.HISTORY,JUSTICEAND RESPONSIBILITY
Fifthgradersanalyzeearly Americanhistorythroughthe lensesofidentity,powerand inclusion.Studentsexamine colonization,revolutionand foundationalcivicdocuments whilelearningtorecognizebias andconnectpaststrugglesto present-dayciviclife.
InquiryThemes
IdentityandPerspective:Who WritesHistory?
Exploration,Encounterand Colonization
NativeAmericanHistoriesand Resilience
ColonizationandtheRoadto Revolution
Revolution,Rightsand Responsibilities
Life Skills
Fromkindergartenthroughfifthgrade,studentsdevelopthe social-emotionalskillstocommunicatethoughtfully,resolve conflictsandbuildpositiverelationships.ThroughCouncil,guided discussion,reflectionandcollaborativeactivities,students practiceempathy,activelistening,self-advocacyandteamwork. Theyexploretheirownidentity,understandothers’perspectives, andstrengthenresilience,kindnessandresponsibility.
K
INQUIRYTHEMES:
Courtesyandclassroomnorms
Friendshipsandbelonging
Conflictresolutionandfairness
Boundaries,consentand safetouch
Growthmindsetandcharacter
Understandingemotionsand identity
KEYLIFESKILLS:
Activelisteningand expressingthoughtsclearly
Followingclassroomrulesand sharedcodesofconduct
Welcomingandcooperating withpeers
Resolvingconflicts respectfully
Practicingempathyandcare forothers
Recognizingandexpressing needsconstructively
1st 2nd
INQUIRYTHEMES:
Settingnormsandexpectations
Feelings,empathyand perspectivetaking
Gratitudeandresilience
Boundaries,consentand safetouch
Bullying,bystanderand upstanderbehavior
Celebratingdiversityand belonging
KEYLIFESKILLS:
Recognizingandrespecting others’feelingsand perspectives
Demonstratingempathyand gratitude
Followingclassroomrulesand codesofconduct
Takingresponsibilityfor actions
Communicatingneeds constructively
Workingcooperativelyand resolvingconflictspeacefully
INQUIRYTHEMES:
Identity,empathyand compassion
Conflictresolutionandstepsto respect
Gratitudeandresilience
GrowthmindsetandSMARTgoal setting
Familyandcommunity connections
KEYLIFESKILLS:
Respectingdifferencesand others’perspectives
Followingclassroomrules andcodesofconduct
Workingcooperativelyand managingconflicts respectfully
Demonstratingempathy, compassionand responsibility
Expressingneeds appropriatelyand constructively
3rd 4th 5th
INQUIRYTHEMES:
Identity,diversityandinclusion
Conflictresolutionandrespectful communication
Recognizingstereotypesand socialdifferences
Currenteventsandsocial awareness
Rolesofbystanders,targetsand upstanders
INQUIRYTHEMES:
Communitybuildingand teamwork
Respectfulcommunicationand activelistening
Personalvaluesanddecision making
Physicalandemotionalhealth, puberty,bodyimage
Genderidentity,neurodivergence andinclusion
INQUIRYTHEMES:
Belonging,identityandself expression
Growthmindset,risk-takingand reflection
Friendships,communicationand kindness
Gratitude,empathyandvaluing differences
Puberty,wellness,boundaries andconsent
KEYLIFESKILLS:
Respectingdifferencesand demonstratingempathy
Communicatingneedsclearly andconstructively
Workingcooperativelyand followingclassroomnorms
Resolvingconflicts respectfully
Resiliencewhenfacing challenges
KEYLIFESKILLS:
Respectingdifferencesand others’perspectives
Communicatingneeds effectivelyandresponsibly
Workingcollaborativelyand cooperatively
Resolvingconflicts respectfully Resilienceandselfawareness
KEYLIFESKILLS:
Respectingdifferencesand celebratingdiversity
Communicatingneedsclearly andresponsibly
Workingcollaborativelyand cooperatively
Resolvingconflicts respectfully
Resilience,self-awareness andempathy
SPECIALIST COURSES
Throughouttheweek,studentsengageinspecialistcoursesthatnurturecreativity, collaborationandcuriosityacrossdisciplines.
ART DANCE/DRAMA
Expression,critique andcultural explorationthrough diversemedia.
Movement, performanceand storytellingthat buildsconfidence andcommunity.
INNOVATION LAB
Designthinking, engineering,coding andcreativityin ourdynamic makerspace.
LIBRARY & RESEARCH
Aloveofreadingand researchstartshere, withweeklyvisits andlifelongskills.
MUSIC
OrffSchulwerk-based programintegrating voice,rhythmand ensemble collaboration.
PE
Physicalliteracy, teamworkand healthyhabits throughplayand structuredactivities.
SCIENCE
Inquiry-based, hands-ondiscovery acrossbiology, physics,chemistry andEarthscience.
Immersive languagelearning throughsongs, games,storytelling andconversation.
SPANISH
Instrumental Music Program (Grades 1-5)
Beginninginsecondgrade,studentshavetheopportunityto participateintheInstrumentalMusicProgram,structuredasafeebased,after-schoolenrichmentclasstolearnviolin,violaorcello. Thirdthroughfifthgradersintheprogramcanalsotakeclarinet, flute,saxophone,tromboneortrumpet.Wealsoofferaband optiontoincorporatekeyboard,bassandguitarintheafter-school program.Practicesareheldbothbeforeandafterschool.
Experiential and Outdoor Education
LearningatCrossroadsextendsfarbeyondtheclassroomwalls. Inadditiontofieldtripsinallgradelevels,fourthandfifthgraders participateinmulti-dayExperientialandOutdoorEducationtrips.
Grade4:AstroCamp
–Fourthgradersenjoyathree-day,two-night outdooreducationtriptoAstroCamp,amountainadventureand sciencecamp.SetamongthegorgeouspineforestsofCalifornia’s SanJacintoMountains,studentsexplorescienceandspaceinstateof-the-artfacilitiesandparticipateinmountainadventureactivities.
Grade5:CatalinaIslandMarineInstitute
–Forfivedays,fifthgraders studymarineenvironmentsatCatalinaIslandMarineInstituteat ToyonBay,participatinginmarinelifelabsandactivitiesincluding snorkeling,oceankayaking,hikingandrock-wallclimbing.
Co-Teaching, Differentiation & Student Support
AtCrossroads,differentiationisnotanadd-on.Itisthefoundationofhowwe teach.Wemeetstudentswheretheyare,honorwhotheyarebecomingand ensurethateverylearnergrowswithconfidence,curiosityandpurpose.
Withtwoleadteachersineveryclassroom,supportedbyadedicatedgradelevelassociateteacher,ourlowstudent-to-teacherratioallowsustoknoweach childacademically,sociallyandemotionally.
Ourcollaborativeco-teachingmodelenableseducatorstoplantogetherand respondinrealtimetostudentneeds,makingsmall-groupinstruction,targeted supportandmeaningfulextensionaseamlesspartoftheschoolday.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING APPROACH
Usingongoingassessment,observationandone-on-oneconferences,teachers continuouslyadjustinstruction.Whetherastudentisstrengtheningfoundationalskillsor readyforenrichment,theyreceivetherightlevelofchallengeandsupportattherighttime.
FLEXIBLE GROUPINGS
Studentsworkindynamicgroupingsthatshiftbasedonreadiness,interestandlearning goals.Thisapproachencouragescollaborationwithoutcomparisonandfosterspeer-topeerlearninginwaysthatfeelempoweringandinclusive.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Ourlearningspecialists,behaviorsupportspecialistandcounselorworkcloselywith teachersandfamiliestosupportstudentswithspecificneeds—academic,emotionalor behavioral—ensuringallstudentsfeelseenandsuccessful.
Vision Mission
Toignitethejoyoflearningandfosterthe mysteryofbecoming.
Crossroadschallengesstudentstoexpand theirminds,cultivateawholesenseofself, createfearlessly,questionboldlyandlead withpurposeandcouragetoshapea morejustandvibrantworld.
Ourvisionandmissiontakeinspirationfromthe fivefoundingcommitmentsestablishedintheSchool’s original1971StatementofPhilosophy:
to academic excellence to the arts
to the greater community to the development of a student population of social, economic and racial diversity
to the development of each student’s physical wellbeing and full human potential
ATCROSSROADSELEMENTARY SCHOOL,WECULTIVATE
CURIOUSTHINKERS,KIND
COLLABORATORSAND COURAGEOUSLEARNERS,
READYNOTONLYFORMIDDLE SCHOOL,BUTFORLIFE.
