Elementary School | Almaden Country Day School | San Jose Elementary School San Jose Private Elementary School At Almaden Country Day School, we focus on each child as an individual who is accepted and valued. We offer continuity and consistency across a curriculum designed to develop and celebrate the whole child; from our early childhood Pre-Kindergarten classes through our Fifth Grade. Diverse Instructional Programs & Enrichment Classes In addition to English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, the instructional program for all elementary (K-5) students includes Art, Physical Education, Music and Theater Arts. All elementary students engage in project-based learning using a variety of technologies in our popular Makerspace. Enrichment classes are taught by specialist teachers. Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade Learning. Laughter. Discovery. Kindergarten at ACDS encompasses the creative play of childhood and learning opportunities designed to enrich the whole child. With a 15:1 student to teacher ratio, the ACDS Kindergarten program features small class sizes enabling our dedicated teachers to provide individualized attention. Kindergarten at ACDS features a wide range of activities that engage the spectrum of developmental skills critical to later academic success: pre-academic practice, self-care, focus and self-control, social interaction, sensory-motor progression — and fun! Outside of the classroom, kindergarten students attend field trips that connect to our current studies. Our teachers create a joyful, safe learning environment that includes circle time, instructional centers and self-directed tasks. We also welcome guest speakers throughout the year to share their professional expertise, cultural knowledge, and other topics of interest to the children. Curriculum Kindergarten English Language Arts Kindergarten Library Kindergarten Mathematics Kindergarten Music Kindergarten Physical Education Kindergarten Science Kindergarten Social Studies Kindergarten Spanish Kindergarten Technology A Day in the Life of a Kindergarten Student Our Kindergarten students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a Kindergarten student at ACDS. A Day in the Life of a Kindergarten Student Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 7:15 - 7:50 Complimentary Extended Day Program before school 7:50 - 8:10 Soft Start Morning Tubs Soft Start Morning Tubs Soft Start Morning Tubs Soft Start Morning Tubs Soft Start Morning Tubs 8:10 - 8:30 Morning Meeting / Number Corner Morning Meeting / Number Corner Morning Meeting / Number Corner Morning Meeting / Number Corner Morning Meeting / Number Corner 8:30 - 9:20 Reading/Phonics Reading/Phonics Reading/Phonics Reading/Phonics Reading/Phonics 9:20 - 10:05 Snack & Recess 10:05 - 10:45 Spanish Math Science Garden/Math Science 10:50 - 11:30 Math Writing PE Writing Math 11:30 - 12:10 Lunch & Recess 12:10 - 12:30 Quiet Time 12:30 - 1:20 Music PE Buddies/Assembly Library Writing 1:25 - 1:50 Writing Social Studies/Centers Math Social Studies/Centers Fun Friday! 1:50 - 2:00 Closing Circle & Dismissal 2:00 - 3:00 Kindergarten group play (optional hour of supervised, child-directed play) 3:00 Dismissal (or Extended Day Program 3:15 until 5:30 p.m. - registration required) Sample schedules are subject to change. The transition to first grade is an exciting one for students — a move to the elementary school campus, a full day from 8 a.m. –  3:10 p.m., the children's first ACDS musical theater production, and other first grade traditions. Our first grade homeroom teachers provide instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies. Curriculum 1st Grade Art 1st Grade English Language Arts 1st Grade Library 1st Grade Makerspace 1st Grade Mathematics 1st Grade Music 1st Grade Physical Education 1st Grade Science 1st Grade Social Studies 1st Grade Spanish 1st Grade Technology 1st Grade Theater Arts A Day in the Life of a 1st Grade Student Our 1st Grade students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a 1st Grade student at ACDS. A Day in the Life of a 1st Grade Student Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 7:15-7:50 Complimentary Before School Program before school 7:50-8:00 Arrival 8:00-8:15 Morning Meeting Morning Meeting Morning Meeting Morning Meeting Morning Meeting 8:15 - 9:00 Language Arts Language Arts Language Arts Language Arts Language Arts 9:05 - 9:50 PE/Library PE/ Makerspace Makerspace/ PE Garden PE/ Homeroom 9:50-10:05 RECESS RECESS RECESS RECESS RECESS 10:05-10:50 Library/PE Homeroom/ Pe PE/ Homeroom Big Buddies Homeroom/ PE 10:55-11:40 Math Math Math Math Math 11:45-12:30 LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH LUNCH 12:35-1:20 Language Arts Language Arts Math Math Language Arts 1:20-1:35 RECESS RECESS RECESS RECESS RECESS 1:35-2:20 Music/ Homeroom Science/Art Science/Art Art/Science Art/Science 2:25-3:10 Social Studies Language Arts Social Studies Language Arts Social Studies 2:55-3:10 Closing Meeting 3:10 Dismissal (or The Orchard: Extended Day Program until 5:30 p.m. - registration required) All sample schedules are subject to change. Field Trips First grade students generally take at least one annual offsite field trip. In recent years, they have spent a day exploring the Technology Museum of Innovation in downtown San Jose. Second graders cultivate their curiosity and build autonomy in a safe, motivating environment. Students study early innovators and demonstrate their knowledge through video and group presentations. Budding entrepreneurs collaborate to create math stores using learned math concepts. Books come to life in second grade through various hands-on projects and presentations. Second grade homeroom consists of instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies while adding several engaging enrichments throughout the week. Curriculum 2nd Grade Art 2nd Grade English Language Arts 2nd Grade French 2nd Grade Library 2nd Grade Makerspace 2nd Grade Mathematics 2nd Grade Music 2nd Grade Physical Education 2nd Grade Science 2nd Grade Social Studies 2nd Grade Technology 2nd Grade Theater Arts A Day in the Life of a 2nd Grade Student Our 2nd Grade students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a 2nd Grade student at ACDS. A Day in the Life of a 2nd Grade Student Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 7:15-7:50 Complimentary Before School Program before school 7:50-8:10 Arrival/Morning Stem/Tubs 8:15-8:30 Class Meeting - SEL French Morning Tubs Class Meeting - SEL Fine Arts Fine Arts 8:30 - 9:00 Number Corner Number Corner Number Corner 9:05 - 9:50 French / PE and 1st - 2nd Collaboration Number Corner Phonics Science Science 9:50 - 10:05 Recess 10:05 - 10:50 PE / French Fine Arts / TLC Collaboration Library/MS Big Buddies Garden / Phonics 10:55 - 11:40 Phonics Phonics Math / Reader's Workshop Phonics Number Corner 11:45 - 12:30 Lunch 12:35 - 1:20 Reader's Workshop Reader's Workshop Reader's Workshop / PE French / PE Math 1:20 - 1:35 Recess 1:35 - 2:20 Math Math PE/Math PE/NC/Math Social Studies 2:25 - 2:50 Writer's Workshop Social Studies Writer's Workshop Reader's Workshop Fun Friday 2:55 - 3:10 Closing Meeting - SEL Closing Meeting - SEL Closing Meeting - SEL Closing Meeting - SEL Closing Meeting - SEL 3:10 Dismissal (or The Orchard: Extended Day Program until 5:30 p.m. - registration required) All sample schedules are subject to change. Field Trips Second grade students have multiple offsite field trips during the year. In recent years, they trekked to the Seymour Discovery Center at Long's Marine Laboratory, picked apples at Casa de Fruta, and drank tea after their tour of the Campbell Historical Museum. Third graders bring increased attention spans and capacity for inquiry to new learning opportunities this year, featuring activities ranging from student-led hand-puppet book reports and an afternoon of kite-flying while learning of its origins. Our third grade homeroom teachers provide instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies. Curriculum 3rd Grade Art 3rd Grade English Language Arts 3rd Grade French 3rd Grade Library 3rd Grade Makerspace 3rd Grade Mathematics 3rd Grade Music 3rd Grade Physical Education 3rd Grade Science 3rd Grade Social Studies 3rd Grade Technology 3rd Grade Theater Arts A Day in the Life of a 3rd Grade Student Our 3rd Grade students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a 3rd Grade student at ACDS. A Day in the Life of a 3rd Grade Student Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 7:15-7:50 Complimentary Before School Program before school 7:50-8:00 Arrival 8:00-8:10 Class Meeting Class Meeting Class Meeting Class Meeting Class Meeting 8:15 - 9:00 Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom PE PE 9:05 - 9:50 Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom French Garden 9:50-10:05 Recess 10:05 - 10:50 Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom Library/Makerspace/ Art Library/Makerspace/ Art 10:55 - 11:50 Science/Art Science/Art Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom 11:45-12:30 Lunch 12:35 - 1:20 Science/Art Science/Art French Homeroom Homeroom 1:20 - 1:35 Recess 1:35 - 2:20 Homeroom PE Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom 2:25 - 3:05 Homeroom Homeroom Big Buddies Homeroom Homeroom 3:10 Dismissal (or The Orchard: Extended Day Program until 5:30 p.m. - registration required) All sample schedules are subject to change. Field Trips Project Based Learning: nonfiction unit conducting animal research, building animal habitats, ending the unit with Oakland Zoo. Around this time, students really begin to see and respect different points-of-view, understand cause and effect, show independence, and can view matters from a big-picture standpoint. Our robust curriculum is developmentally appropriate for this age and provides outlets for expression including project-based learning. Our fourth grade homeroom teachers provide instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies. Curriculum 4th Grade Art 4th Grade English Language Arts 4th Grade French 4th Grade Library 4th Grade Makerspace 4th Grade Mathematics 4th Grade Music 4th Grade Physical Education 4th Grade Science 4th Grade Social Studies 4th Grade Technology 4th Grade Theater Arts A Day in the Life of a 4th Grade Student Our 4th Grade students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a 4th Grade student at ACDS. A Day in the Life of a 4th Grade Student Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 7:15-7:50 Complimentary Before School Program before school 7:50-8:00 Arrival 8:00-8:10 Morning Meeting 1st Period 8:15-9:00 Science/Garden Fine Arts English Language Arts English Language Arts Science Fine Arts English Language Arts 2nd Period 9:05-9:50 Fine Arts Science/Garden French PE English Language Arts Fine Arts Science English Language Arts 9:50-10:05 Snack/Recess 3rd Period 10:10-10:55 Math PE French Math Math Math 4th Period 11:00-11:40 English Language Arts Math Math English Language Arts Fine Arts Science 11:40-12:30 Lunch 5th Period 12:35-1:15 Library PE English Language Arts French PE Number Corner Science Fine Arts 6th Period 1:20-2:05 PE Library English Language Arts PE French Social Studies Social Studies 7th Period 2:10-2:55 English Language Arts Number Corner Number Corner Social Studies English Language Arts Social Studies 2:55-3:10 Dismissal (or The Orchard: Extended Day Program until 5:30 p.m. - registration required) All sample schedules are subject to change. Field Trips Field trips that our fourth grade classes have embarked on include Quicksilver Mining Museum, and San Juan Bautista State Park & Mission. Fourth graders also go on their first overnight field trip as a class to Coloma Outdoor Discovery School to learn about the Gold Rush. Fifth graders at ACDS bring their increased capacity for complex thought and problem-solving to this grade’s collaborative, project-based activities. Students delve into reading and writing with purpose across the genres- realistic fiction, fantasy, non fiction, and argument and advocacy. In mathematics, they learn and apply a multitude of strategies to solve real-life problems. In social studies, students study and analyze the history of the United States and its origins. Fifth graders collaborate and partner for hands-on projects and investigations across the curriculum. Students experience a week of outdoor learning and cabin living at WOLF Science camp in Aptos, California. Our fifth grade homeroom teachers provide instruction in English Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies. Curriculum 5th Grade Art 5th Grade English Language Arts 5th Grade French 5th Grade Library 5th Grade Makerspace 5th Grade Mathematics 5th Grade Music 5th Grade Physical Education 5th Grade Science 5th Grade Social Studies 5th Grade Technology 5th Grade Theater Arts A Day in the Life of a 5th Grade Student Our 5th Grade students have exciting and fun days of learning each and every day of the school year. Expand the menu below to see a typical day in the life of a 5th Grade student at ACDS. A Day in the Life of a 5th Grade Student Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 7:15-7:50 Complimentary Before School Program before school 7:50-8:00 Arrival 8:00-8:10 Morning Meeting 1st Period 8:15-9:00 Number Corner PE Number Corner Library/ Makerspace PE 2nd Period 9:05-9:50 Math Math French Math Number Corner 9:50-10:05 Snack/Recess 3rd Period 10:05-10:50 English Language Arts French Math 1st Grade Buddies Math 4th Period 10:55-11:40 French Number Corner Enrichments: Science, Art, Music Enrichments: Science, Art, Music Enrichments: Science, Art, Music 5th Period 11:45-12:30 Play/Lunch 6th Period 12:35-1:20 PE Library/ Makerspace Enrichments: Science, Art, Music Enrichments: Science, Art, Music Enrichments: Science, Art, Music 1:20 - 1:35 Recess 7th Period 1:35-2:20 English Language Arts English Language Arts English Language Arts English Language Arts English Language Arts 8th Period 2:25-3:10 Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies Social Studies Fun Friday 3:10 Dismissal (or The Orchard: Extended Day Program until 5:30 p.m. - registration required) All sample schedules are subject to change. Field Trips Fifth grade students enjoy an extended overnight trip to science camp that offers the opportunity to enhance our on-campus science curriculum focusing on botany, zoology, inter-species relationships, and interdependence in nature. For five days and four nights, participants stay at beautiful Web of Life Field (WOLF) , Monte Toyon Campus, for a variety of learning and bonding adventures. Elementary School Essentials Bridges in Mathematics program as the foundation for teaching elementary math In an annual full-length musical theater production starting in first grade Columbia University's Teachers College Reading and Writing programs The Orchard: Extended Day Program We offer a complimentary supervised before-school program for children enrolled in grades Kindergarten through 8th Grade. ACDS also offers a fee-based after-school program, The Orchard, staffed by certified caregivers for Kindergarten through 8th grade students. Learn More about The Orchard: Extended Day Program