Curriculum Highlights

We believe education is more than reading, writing and arithmetic. It’s also about art, music, play, and the great outdoors. That’s why every week our students explore a variety of new ideas and activities

These experiences take many different forms.  From whole-school activities like Big Sing and pumpkin harvesting (over at neighboring Bramble Hill Farm) to smaller gatherings like daily class meetings, children develop a sense of belonging. We also create some opportunities to connect students across age groups. During choice time, older students rush to the Nursery/Primary wing of the School to join younger students who eagerly await their arrival. This beloved tradition is called ‘winging.’

  • nursery-age child standing in a spruce tree

    Forest Fridays

    In the forest, children connect to nature and let their imaginations run free. That’s why we set aside time each week for them to venture outdoors. On Fridays, they have free reign of the nearby forest—we make forts, play games, and enjoy the magic of the woods.

  • several children sitting on a rug surrounded by books drawing on papers with clipboards

    Books and nooks and so much more…

    Our library is the heart of our school, but it’s also home to a collection of almost 20,000 books, carefully curated for children ages three to twelve. The shelves are lined with books that reflect our students, our diverse community, and our social justice values. Each week, all classes visit the library. Younger children look forward to story time, while older students use the resources for in-depth research and report writing, critical literacy lessons, poetry cafes, and more.

  • Blue background with cutout shapes of sea creatures, yellow octopus, purple and white sea anemonae, blue fish, yellow puffer fish

    Everyone is an artist.

    At The Common School, you won’t see formal art classes, but that doesn’t mean we don’t do art. In fact, just the opposite. Art is part of everything we do. It’s an integral part of our in-depth studies and classroom activities and offered at choice time every morning. Because why limit art to once a week?

  • Adult with ukulele standing with one leg on a stool with mouth open in classroom, in front of kids with their backs to the camera

    Music is everywhere.

    All day long, you’ll hear music drifting throughout The Common School. It’s a joyful and uplifting part of who we are as a community. But did you know music can improve attention, behavior, and listening skills? Our music program doesn’t just invite kids to sit and listen closely, we inspire them to interact. Our call-and-response approach helps them appreciate music from a variety of cultures. All the while, students are learning about harmony, timing, cadence, and rhythm.

  • nursery-age children in purple rain suits holding stick standing next to pond in front of a field on a sunny day

    It’s time to play.

    Common School kids are active kids. Whether it’s during outside time, recess, or group classes, you’ll see them most days (snow, rain or shine) running, jumping, climbing, and exploring our BackYard playground and the many acres of nature trails that surround our school. They’re having fun, but they’re also learning about the importance of fitness and teamwork.

  • elementary-age student in a white hijab and blue shirt looking through a microscope

    Math & Science

    We use a research-based core program through which teachers establish strong foundational concepts then advance students to increasingly abstract and efficient strategies. Students measure while cooking, fit together loose parts to build structures of their own design, and collect data. Teachers also intentionally integrate mathematics into social and scientific in-depth studies, including an ecology study to reduce the School’s impact on the local landfill.