Elementary school represents an exciting time of transition and development as students gain independence and see their responsibilities increase in preparation for the senior grades.  At Colegio Americano de San Carlos, education is exciting, fulfilling and broad. It is a school that challenges each student intellectually, artistically and athletically through a rigorous and creative curriculum and an extensive co-curricular program.

Students follow a coordinated curriculum that provides a solid grounding in the basics and promotes good study habits. Starting in Grade 1, homework is a daily activity. From the earliest age, students learn to express themselves and to develop self-reliance.

Elementary school is made up of one class of each grade and exposes students to a broad range of material, giving them the basic building blocks to support them throughout their academic careers. Class sizes are, on average, 25 students per class. In accordance with current best-practice educational research, a number of grades have been split into all-boy and all-girl classes. The curriculum is designed to foster personal as well as academic growth, and the supportive and nurturing environment helps students to develop self-confidence and openness to new activities.

In Elementary school, all students in Grades 1 through 6 have a half day of instruction in English that includes mathematics, science, spelling and English language arts.

Students in Grades 1 and 2 have instruction in Spanish that includes Spanish language arts, mathematics and science.

Students in Grades 3 through 6 have instruction in Spanish that includes Spanish language arts, mathematics, science, history, geography, and civics.

Music and Visual Art, Religious Studies and Values, Physical Education and Information Technology courses are integrated into the overall Elementary school curriculum. Lessons and projects in these courses have been designed to complement the themes studied in the other subjects. These classes are conducted in Spanish.

Beyond the classroom, a wide variety of clubs, athletic activities and field trips enhance the learning experience and provide additional opportunities for friendship, teamwork, and leadership.

At the successful completion of Grade 6, students receive a Certificado de Primaria issued by the Secretary of Education, and a certificate of completion from Colegio Americano de San Carlos.

Course Details

Languages: Language is central to students' intellectual, social and emotional growth and must be seen as a key element of the curriculum. Whether they are studying literature or history, or learning science, students need fundamental language skills to understand information and express their ideas. Through language learning, students acquire skills that are essential in the workplace; for example, they learn to analyze ideas and information and to communicate them clearly, both orally and in writing. Through a study of literature, they come to understand other people and themselves and to appreciate the power of words and the many different uses of language.

Mathematics: The program in all grades is designed to ensure that students build a solid foundation in mathematics; they should, for example, understand a range of mathematical concepts, memorize necessary mathematical facts (e.g., multiplication tables), learn and practice standard mathematical procedures and apply mathematics in complex real-world situations.

History/Social Studies: Social Studies focuses on various local and world cultures, both past and present and in both urban and rural communities. Students compare the communities’ cultural backgrounds, trade, transportation, design and technology, government, culture and beliefs. Elementary school social studies provides a background of history as students make connections with names, places and events. The students learn to appreciate the cultures of today as they explore the past which shaped them.

Science: Science is a form of knowledge that seeks to describe and explain the natural and physical world and its place in the universe. Occasionally, the fundamental theories, concepts and structures of science change but, for the most part, the basic ideas of science – ideas such as the cellular basis of life, the laws of energy, the particle theory of matter – have proven stable. The curriculum introduces students to many of these basic ideas.

Religious Studies and Values:  While the school’s curriculum imparts the required skills and knowledge to act, students also need to develop the will, confidence and passion to take action. Colegio Americano ensures that the necessary values of respect, responsibility, compassion, and honesty become embedded in students’ activities.

Arts: Art is an integral part of the school’s curriculum at all grades. Student artwork adorns all corners of the school.  The Arts program strives to help students build self-confidence and develop their creativity.

Physical Education: The Physical Education program at Colegio Americano teaches students about leading a healthy and active lifestyle. Students focus on fostering an understanding of sportsmanship and team spirit, while engaging in a variety of fitness activities. Students explore such activities as soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and track and field. Sports programs emphasize the learning of social skills and positive attitudes, and they also foster self-confidence.

Technology: The school has a new technology centre with state-of-the-art desktops, complete with flat-screen monitors, current software and access to high speed internet. All Elementary school students have hands-on experiences with this technology.