4th through 6th grade

Upper
Elementary

Becoming Independent Thinkers.

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Student holding a colorful paper art project

A time of ownership, inquiry, and meaningful challenge

Upper Elementary students are ready to stretch—and we meet them there. With a deepening sense of self, curiosity about the world, and increased social awareness, children in this stage crave more responsibility, choice, and challenge.

Our classrooms offer just that: complex, purposeful work; supportive teachers who guide rather than lecture; and a strong peer community that values effort, reflection, and personal growth.

Here, students do not just memorize answers—they explore the “why” and “how,” building the skills and confidence needed for success in middle school and beyond.

Why Families Choose Upper Elementary at St. Stephen’s

  • Challenging, individualized curriculum rooted in real-world application
  • Experienced teachers who balance high expectations with compassionate support
  • Emphasis on time management, planning, and personal accountability
  • Advanced work in writing, research, math, science, and humanities
  • Hands-on projects that develop critical thinking, leadership, and creativity
  • A safe, respectful classroom culture where students are encouraged to take risks and advocate for themselves
  • Conveniently located in Montrose

Inside the Classroom

Students-working-on-classroom-activities-with-a-teacher
Independence in Action

Students manage their time using personalized weekly calendars and work plans. They prioritize assignments, pace their progress, and take ownership of deadlines.

aThis structure prepares them for the future while allowing for natural consequences, growth in executive functioning, and meaningful reflection—all with teacher support.

The language curriculum includes grammar, word study, literature analysis, and writing across genres. Students express themselves through creative writing, reports, persuasive essays, and presentations.

Daily read-alouds and literature discussions expose them to high-quality texts and writing strategies they can apply to their own work.

Students build a deep, conceptual understanding of advanced math through hands-on materials. They explore operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, graphing, and early algebra before transitioning to abstraction and paper-pencil work.

Geometry focuses on area, volume, and equivalence, encouraging students to derive their own proofs and formulas through exploration.

Interdisciplinary projects in science, history, and geography allow students to connect the past to the present and develop their own research questions.

  • History: From the Big Bang to modern civilizations, students study humanity’s shared needs across time and place.
  • Geography: Students examine landforms, maps, cultures, and planetary systems—building global awareness and appreciation.
  • Science: Students conduct structured investigations that explore chemistry, physics, biology, and earth sciences—learning how to ask and answer their own questions.

Upper Elementary students care for their classroom and school environment, help organize materials and events, and develop interpersonal skills like collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution.

They work together on long-term research projects and presentations, learning how to give and receive feedback, lead discussions, and take pride in shared accomplishments.

In multi-age classrooms, students mentor and learn from one another. Older students guide younger peers and refine their own skills by teaching. Younger students look ahead and grow into leadership roles naturally.

Class meetings offer a structured space to build community, address challenges, and reinforce values like fairness, inclusion, and respect.

Day trips and overnight excursions deepen community bonds and expand learning into the world. Students spend time in nature, practice outdoor skills, and develop independence and environmental stewardship.