Our Preprimary program is designed to nurture the natural curiosity of three-year-olds, providing a hands-on, stimulating, and nurturing learning environment. Our emergent curriculum evolves organically based on the interests, questions, and needs of the students, ensuring a responsive and engaging educational experience. In this dynamic setting, children have continual opportunities to explore, try new things, and grow, building a strong social, emotional, and academic foundation. Through structured and unstructured play, students develop self-awareness, connect with each other, express their ideas, and problem-solve.

Math-readiness and pre-literacy activities are seamlessly integrated into the curriculum in developmentally appropriate ways. Each week, students also participate in specialist classes—Music, Art, Physical Education, STEM, and Spanish—that complement classroom activities. Our Preprimary program helps children develop independence and a beginning understanding of what it means to be part of a community, setting the stage for a lifelong love of learning.

The Primary curriculum at Concord Hill is designed around the interests of the students, allowing them to explore various subjects through short- and long-term projects, class discussions, small-group collaborations, and community experiences. This emergent curriculum supports children in becoming "experts" in an age-appropriate manner, fostering curiosity and encouraging them to share their own thoughts and ideas while listening, reflecting, and responding to others.

Unstructured play remains a key component, providing opportunities for cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development. As children grow, creative play also helps develop the executive function skills necessary for school success. Math-readiness and pre-literacy are seamlessly integrated throughout the day, with a greater focus on language development through both small- and large-group experiences. Each week, students participate in specialist classes—Art, STEM, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish—that further enrich their learning experience.

The Kindergarten program at Concord Hill strikes a balance between structured work time and plenty of play. Kindergarteners engage independently and collaboratively, developing deep knowledge, skills, and positive learning habits through individual, small-group, and whole-class activities. Throughout the year, students explore what it means to be a member of their class, their community, and the world at large.

Our literacy program focuses on building strong foundational skills and a deep understanding of language. Instruction emphasizes essential pillars such as phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency, helping students view themselves as capable readers and writers.

In mathematics, the Kindergarten program emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning. Students use concrete materials, drawings, literature, and games to explore mathematical concepts and begin recognizing math in their daily lives, expressing their ideas using mathematical language.

We continue to nurture a love of learning as students refine their academic and social skills and develop an understanding of what it means to be a successful student. Each week, Kindergarten students also participate in specialist classes—Art, STEM, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish—that further enhance their learning experience.

First-grade students embark on a journey of broader academic exploration and skill refinement, all while nurturing their social and emotional development.

Our literacy approach focuses on building strong foundational skills, exploring worthwhile and complex texts, fostering a reading culture to enhance knowledge and fluency, and engaging in evidence-based discussions and writing, During the Foundational Skills Block, the teacher-to-student ratio is reduced, with two dedicated classroom teachers working with half the class while the remaining students engage in Spanish, allowing for targeted, personalized instruction.

The mathematics program emphasizes problem-solving and conceptual understanding. Students develop a deep understanding of foundational math concepts through concrete materials, math games, and collaborative work, using pictures and symbols to communicate their reasoning.

Our social studies curriculum fosters a sense of belonging and social responsibility, encouraging care, social awareness, and empathy. Students explore American symbols and values, visiting The Star-Spangled Banner and the National Mall, and participating in a whole-school performance of the National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Each week, First Grade students also participate in Specialist classes—Art, STEM, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish—that further enrich their learning experience.

Throughout first grade students learn to think more flexibly, engage in collaborative learning, and persevere as they explore new material and challenges.

The Second Grade curriculum solidifies academic concepts and organizational skills introduced in previous years. Second graders become more independent, taking on increased responsibility for their learning and decision-making.

Our literacy approach focuses on building strong foundational skills, exploring worthwhile and complex texts, fostering a reading culture to enhance knowledge and fluency, engaging in evidence-based discussions and writing, and promoting student ownership of learning experiences. During the Foundational Skills Block, our two classroom teachers work with half the class while the other half participates in Spanish, providing targeted instruction tailored to individual needs.
Mathematics in Second Grade continues to emphasize problem-solving and deep conceptual understanding. Throughout the year, students extend their understanding of foundational concepts, including place value, addition and subtraction, geometric shapes, measurement, and data. Second Grade students develop more sophisticated models and equations to show their reasoning. Small group work and math games continue to encourage students to collaborate and consider new strategies.

Second Graders study the Indigenous Peoples of the Chesapeake using stories, replica artifacts, and images from the Maryland Center for History and Culture, and visit the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Their study culminates in a state research report, presented to the Concord Hill community during State Hats Day, a beloved Friday Community Meeting tradition. They also engage in a state research project that teaches research skills and essay structure, culminating in a speech shared with the school during State Hats Day, a beloved Concord Hill tradition.

Each week Second Grade students also participate in Specialist classes in half groups—Art, STEM, Music, Physical Education, Leadership, and Spanish—that further enrich the curriculum.

Throughout second grade students grow in their ability to take on challenges, think flexibly and appreciate the perspective of others, and work both independently and collaboratively.

In Third Grade, students have the opportunity to practice their leadership skills through regular responsibilities—including leading Friday Community Meetings, mentoring their Kindergarten buddies, and serving as a Morning Walker—which foster a sense of self-confidence and independence.

Academic, organizational, and study skills are solidified for life beyond Concord Hill. Our literacy program builds strong foundational skills, explores complex texts, engages in evidence-based discussions and writing, and promotes student ownership of learning. During the Foundational Skills Block, the teacher-to-student ratio is reduced, allowing for targeted, personalized instruction as students engage in Spanish class.

In mathematics, students tackle increasingly complex concepts through problem-solving, deepening their understanding of whole number operations, fractions, geometry, measurement, and data. They solve multi-step problems involving all four operations and identify efficient strategies through class discussions, small group work, games, and independent practice.

Social Studies features a unit on activism, exploring diverse stories of marginalized groups to highlight agency, empathy, and community. Students also analyze primary sources to understand the founding of the United States, culminating in a Living History performance that showcases their knowledge, leadership, and public speaking skills.

Each week, Third Grade students also participate in Specialist classes in half groups—Art, STEM, Music, Physical Education, Leadership and Spanish—that further enrich the curriculum.

In the culminating year of the Concord Hill program, third grade students engage in a variety of traditions, activities, and opportunities that solidify the social, emotional, and academic skills necessary for their next school setting, and the relationships they form doing so often last far beyond these foundational years at Concord Hill.