Academics
Special Curriculum Areas
Specials give students a chance to immerse themselves in a practice or subject with a specialist teacher. These include Music, Movement, Creative Making, and Science. In each subject, we focus on inspiring and diverse role models from under-represented groups.
Movement
Movement Special is a joyful, high-energy experience designed for different age groups that builds confidence, cooperation, gross motor skills, and body awareness. Students participate in both traditional activities – like soccer and races – and creative, invented games, learning important values such as safety, respect, and teamwork along the way. Classes take place in our multipurpose room, equipped with mats, climbing apparatus, and fitness equipment, or at nearby Raymond Bush Park, depending on the weather. In addition to choreographed movement, students explore instructional language and movement concepts, gaining knowledge about health, muscles, and the importance of staying active and engaged.
Music
Music classes differ across Preschool, Lower, and Middle School. In Preschool, music is woven into daily routines, with teachers – musicians and singers themselves – bringing rhythm and melody that foster body awareness, language, social interaction, coordination, and self-expression through singing and dancing. In Lower and Middle School, students receive structured instruction twice a week, exploring folk, contemporary, and classic songs alongside movement activities. They also unleash creativity by composing songs, crafting instruments, and aligning music with class projects, sometimes co-creating selections with classmates.
Arts and Creative Making
Fostering self-expression and creativity is a significant aspect of our ethos, and each classroom utilizes various mediums such as painting, drawing, clay, collage, construction, block building, cooking, and woodworking. Through these experiences, we encourage every child to actively engage in the creative process. We instill qualities like perseverance and problem-solving by urging them to explore alternatives and approach creation in novel ways. Most importantly, we emphasize to them that many ideas yield outcomes different from their initial expectations. Ultimately, the products of our creative efforts reflect the dedication and ongoing process involved.
Science
Science at The Co-op School excites even our youngest learners, encouraging curiosity, experimentation, and exploration. Pre-K students are introduced to earth, life, and physical sciences through hands-on investigations, practicing the scientific method and thinking like real scientists as they observe, inquire, test, and analyze. In Lower and Middle School, our standards-based curriculum, incorporating Amplify Science, builds on this foundation through discovery, research, and experimentation. Students strengthen reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills by analyzing data, forming hypotheses, and constructing evidence-based explanations.
Technology (Lower and Middle School Programs)
Technology is an essential tool for learning, research, and communication at The Co-op School. It enhances education through curated resources, virtual field trips, and differentiated instruction. Starting in Second Grade, students use Chromebooks to learn keyboarding, create videos, and write stories on Google Docs. As they advance through the grades, they refine skills in research, evaluating reliable sources, coding, and peer editing, while also learning about digital citizenship and cyberbullying. Classroom projectors further enrich projects by displaying visuals, videos, and documents, supporting collaborative and engaging learning experiences.
Spanish
The goal of our Spanish Program is to expose children to a second language and diverse cultures while fostering an appreciation for Spanish and its role in the world. Beginning in the early years, students build vocabulary and confidence through conversation, storytelling, music, and games that make learning fun and interactive. As they progress, they explore reading, writing, and cultural traditions from Spanish-speaking countries, deepening both language skills and global awareness. The program emphasizes communication, creativity, and cultural connection, helping students gain a strong foundation in language learning that supports them in Middle School and beyond.
