Intimate class sizes, gifted teachers, and an academic approach rooted in wonder, purpose, and belonging provide the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Nurturing Growth Through an Engaging, Intentional Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to meet students where they are and to help them develop skills and habits of mind that foster deep and lasting learning. While at Grace, students' education follows an arc, with skills and knowledge progressing and deepening over time. Our academic curricula are developmentally appropriate and aligned across grade levels. Students in the early elementary grades are introduced to structured literacy strategies and numeracy concepts with ample time to play and explore; in the middle and upper elementary grades, they learn to develop these skills more fully as they also apply their learning to in-depth and long-term projects. Students in Grades 4 and 5 also participate in specialized academic activities, presenting their science fair projects to the larger community and competing in the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal Schools Association (MAESA) fair.
A Place Where Each Child is Known and Valued
With just over 100 students and 25 teachers and staff, Grace is an intimate, vibrant learning community. Maximum class sizes of 16 ensure that teachers and staff are attuned to each child's strengths and challenges, differentiating instruction to suit individual needs.
At Grace, student agency and voice are valued, both within our student-centered curriculum and through extra-curricular activities such as Student Council, clubs, and athletics. Our students have many opportunities to try new things, expand their perspectives, and develop leadership skills.
Deeper Learning through Visible Classrooms
Our approach to deeper learning is embedded in three core pedagogical approaches: Project Based Learning, Reggio Emilia-inspired education, and Harvard’s Project Zero research and initiatives. Lying at the intersection of these pedagogical approaches is Making Learning Visible, a framework that values collaborative learning, documentation, and attuned, reflective teaching.
“Visible classrooms” are places where learning is purposeful, social, emotional, empowering, and representational (Krechevsky et. al., 2013). At the heart of this framework is the belief that learning to learn together is a democratic exercise that helps develop empathy and respect for others’ perspectives.
A Strong Foundation for a Lifetime of Learning
Our focus on early childhood and elementary education honors the foundational years of childhood. Grace faculty possess expertise in best practices for these important developmental stages, and our resources and attention are devoted to the unique needs of young learners.
Equipped with strong academic skills, self-knowledge, and a deep love of learning, Grace graduates are well-prepared to meet the social and academic challenges of middle school and beyond. The Head of School and Director of Outplacement guide students and families through a personalized outplacement process, ensuring graduates find the "best fit" schools for learning beyond Grace.