Primary Grades
Primary Grades

Primary Grades

From Kindergarten to Second Grade, learning is interactive, fun, and meaningful. By nurturing curiosity, we help children develop a love for learning. Through our advanced curriculum and hands-on exploration, they build essential foundational skills that spark a passion for their academic journey and future learning.

Our curriculum

Through our curriculum, which includes elements from Core Knowledge and The Art of Problem Solving, students build a strong academic foundation, helping them master essential skills through structured, meaningful content across various subjects.

Literacy

Learning through language exploration

Students engage with diverse genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, through hands-on activities and group work. Kindergarten focuses on building phonics skills and phonemic awareness, while First Grade deepens comprehension and grammar. Second Graders integrate their reading and writing with more complex texts, including novels and biographies.

The curriculum emphasizes interactive learning, including creative projects, presentations, and collaborative activities, fostering both a love for literacy and a strong foundation in language arts that supports lifelong learning and self-expression.

Literacy

Composition

Writing for expression and communication

Students learns and enjoy in our writing program, where the Write Now, Right Now curriculum offers a clear and effective framework for success. Learners begin by exploring various writing forms, from expository to narrative, while honing skills like sentence structure and organization. Kindergarteners focus on forming clear sentences and neat handwriting, while older students craft stories and learn cursive. 

Through engaging creative projects, including the Young Author Project, students refine their writing, express themselves and build a solid foundation for effective written communication.

Composition

Mathematics

Building a strong foundation in number sense

Students explore numbers through an experiential learning approach, starting with manipulatives in the concrete stage, moving to pictorial representation, and finally mastering abstract algorithms. This approach is all part of our focus on conceptual understanding before procedural fluency using Singapore Math.

Our approach includes hands-on activities, technology tools, and small group leveled learning. Each child’s needs are addressed through differentiated instruction, helping them develop strong math skills in an enjoyable, engaging environment that fosters curiosity, communication, and problem-solving.

Mathematics

Science

Discovering the world through inquiry

Students experiment and explore their world through hands-on activities in Science. Our Kindergarteners in Daly City observe plants, animals and weather. First Graders explore the properties of matter and conduct experiments. 

By Second Grade, students engage in deeper studies of life cycles and forces, conducting experiments and exploring these concepts through projects and field trips. Beginning in Kindergarten students participate in the all-school Science Fair which builds curiosity and critical thinking and develops a passion for science.

Science

Social Studies

Exploring our world and its people

Students explore History, Geography, and culture by studying historical figures like Ruby Bridges and learning about diverse world cultures, fostering empathy and critical thinking through our curriculum.

Kindergarteners and First Graders study the foundational concepts of community, Economy, History, and Geography. Cultural traditions are celebrated with parties and parent presentations. Second Graders dive into U.S. geography, researching states and creating presentations. Through interactive lessons, students learn about the world, fostering an appreciation for diversity and responsible citizenship.

Social Studies

Ethics

Growing with kindness and responsibility

From Kindergarten to Second Grade, children develop character and ethics through programs such as 7 Habits of Happy Kids and Soul Shoppe, while embracing Hilldale’s core habits. Kindergarten focuses on emotional intelligence and problem-solving through interactive activities, and First Grade emphasizes personal growth, kindness, and responsible citizenship.

By Second Grade, students explore friendship and social navigation, developing empathy and making responsible decisions. Our ethics curriculum lays the foundation for good citizenship and personal growth through collaborative activities and thoughtful lessons. Hilldale introduces Social Thinking curriculum, created by Michelle Garcia-Winner, to learn about "Being a Social Detective." The Soul Shoppe Organization comes in to teach the students how to identify and respond to big feelings.

Ethics

International Studies

A journey around the world

Learners embark on a cultural journey in our program, exploring countries and regions around the world. Kindergarteners explore Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and continents and oceans, while First Graders learn about Africa’s cultures, geography and animals.

Second Graders study India, China, and Japan, learning through books, national holidays, and even field trips like visiting the Japanese Tea Garden. At year-end, each grade presents their findings during the school’s International Fair, promoting global citizenship and empathy.

International Studies

Makers

Creativity meets problem-solving

Children engage in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) projects in Makers class, using everyday materials to design and create innovative solutions, from rocket ships to parks, promoting critical thinking and resourcefulness.

Students learn the value of teamwork, perseverance, and the creative process as they transform recycled items into functional, imaginative designs. This hands-on class encourages collaboration, fosters creativity, and builds essential problem-solving skills.

Makers

Spanish

Learning a new language and culture

Students start by learning basic vocabulary and phrases, such as greetings and family members, through songs, stories, and activities. First Graders expand their skills with simple sentence structures and translation exercises, while Second Graders gain cultural knowledge of festivals and customs from Spanish-speaking countries.

Through interactive lessons, students develop language proficiency, grammar, and writing skills and a deeper understanding of global cultures, helping them become global citizens.

Spanish

Art

Expressing creativity through visual arts

Children nurture creativity and self-expression as they explore fundamental elements including color, texture, and form while developing fine motor skills. They work with various mediums, including paint, pastels, and clay to bring their artistic visions to life.

Through guided projects and art history lessons, students learn about famous artists and cultural art movements. The program fosters a love for art and allows students to express themselves creatively while reinforcing connections across subjects.

Art

Music

Developing musicality and expression

Students learn to the basics of music, including note values, rhythm, and singing. Kindergarteners start with basic music theory, and First Graders explore percussion instruments like the glockenspiel. 

Second Graders have fun learning wind instruments including the flutophone. Through participatory music lessons, students develop rhythm, coordination, and a love for music, building a strong foundation for future musical exploration.

Music

Technology

Digital literacy for the future

Students begin learning computer literacy and digital citizenship through integrated lessons in literacy and math. By First Grade, students explore hardware and software, becoming familiar with tools like Google Suite. 

In Second Grade, students create projects using word processing and presentation programs, developing essential technology skills for the future. Our curriculum equips students with the skills they need to navigate the digital world safely and creatively.

Technology

Physical Education

Learning through movement

Children foster fitness and teamwork through activities like running, jumping, and team games. They develop essential motor skills, balance and coordination while participating in fun exercises and games.

Our program promotes health and wellness, teaching students the importance of physical activity and healthy habits. With a focus on inclusivity and fun, students build strength, flexibility, and endurance while learning valuable lessons in teamwork and perseverance.

Physical Education

A typical day at school in our Primary Grades

Each day at Hilldale School is filled with learning opportunities for growth and exploration. While schedules differ across age groups, here's a glimpse of what takes place between lessons in our Primary Grades.

Core pillars of learning

At Hilldale School, students grow in confidence as they become independent learners and thoughtful peers. Through our Primary Grades core learning pillars, they build strong academic foundations, express themselves with empathy, and explore new languages in a multilingual environment. These early experiences support their growth and prepare them to engage with the world with curiosity and care.

Academic achievement
Academic achievement

Experience a tailored learning journey that nurtures growth and enhances knowledge, skills, and understanding.

Life competencies
Life competencies

Build social-emotional intelligence with patient practice to thrive in academics and personal lives.

Multilingualism
Multilingualism

Students grow confidently in English and Spanish, while continuing to develop their home language.

International opportunities
International opportunities

Through global skill-building programs and local school trips, students cultivate critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills.

First Grade Student

Hilldale school is awesome. It's a really good learning community.

First Grade Student

When to enroll?

Students' unique learning needs are supported from the start. Begin a transformative journey with us, apply any time of the year. 

Inquire now

Grow, create, and succeed at Hilldale School. Apply today and start a journey in our Primary Grades that empowers bright, gifted, and 2e children.

Inquire now

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