Welcome to Elementary School
WNS is a warm, safe, and nurturing environment, energized by a spirit of collaboration and shared purpose. From the very beginning—starting in DK and Kindergarten—our students are immersed in a Reggio-inspired, social-constructivist approach that honors their natural curiosity and love of learning. Through discovery, academics, and project-based exploration, they begin building a strong foundation that will support a lifetime of intellectual growth.
As they move through their WNS journey, our students show compassion, empathy, and kindness—not just in their friendships, but in how they engage with the world around them. They understand they are growing up in a beautifully diverse, pluralistic society, and they embrace that responsibility with open hearts and minds. I’m continually inspired by the curiosity, joy, and thoughtfulness they bring through our doors each day.
Meet Our Division Directors
Kelly Massey
Director of Preschool-Kindergarten
Director of Preschool-Kindergarten
Tasha Jackson-Jones
Director of 1st-4th Grade
Kaitlin Rodriguez
Director of 5th-8th Grade
The DK & Kindergarten Experience
Where Curiosity Takes Flight
DK and kindergarten at WNS are grounded in evidence-based pedagogy and guided by a constructivist approach that honors children as active participants in their learning.
We believe that young learners make meaning by asking questions, exploring their surroundings, and solving real-world problems. Our program fosters intellectual curiosity, independence, and collaboration through hands-on experiences that reflect how children naturally learn.
In our spacious, thoughtfully designed classrooms—and in our dynamic outdoor learning centers—students engage with rich materials that invite investigation, creation, and purposeful play.
The academic curriculum is rooted in research, with a strong emphasis on the science of reading and foundational numeracy.
Through systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, our students build the critical skills needed for lifelong literacy and academic success.
At WNS, DK and kindergarten are joyful, rigorous, and developmentally attuned entry points into a lifetime of learning.
DK & Kindergarten Program Highlights
Inquiry-Based Learning
Rooted in scientific research and evidence-based pedagogy, our DK & kindergarten programs combine academic rigor with joyful, inquiry-based learning.
Through a strong foundation in literacy, math, and critical thinking, students develop essential skills in a nurturing, intellectually rich environment.
Specialist
Classes
In addition to core academics, WNS DK students enjoy Social Thinking™, music and movement, and Spanish.
Meanwhile, WNS kindergarten students partake in robust specialist classes in Spanish, PE, science, music, Social Thinking™, and art.
Project-Based Learning
Project Time allows students to engage in hands-on, long-term investigations that spark curiosity and deepen understanding.
Through playful exploration—like building with recycled materials or creating animal habitats—students develop stamina, creativity, and problem-solving skills, all while experiencing the joy of active, purposeful learning.
Small
Class Sizes
Small class sizes and teacher to student ratios allow for personalized instruction, flexible groupings, and differentiated teaching. Our teachers meet each and every student where they're at.
State-of-the-Art Facility
In our spacious classrooms and vibrant outdoor learning center, students engage with open-ended materials that encourage creativity and collaboration. These environments are intentionally designed to spark curiosity, support hands-on learning, and nurture independence. Through purposeful play, children build foundational academic and social-emotional skills in joyful, meaningful ways.
Kindergarten-8
Buddy Program
Kindergarten students are paired with an 8th grade buddy, with whom they spend scheduled time throughout the school year.
These friendships become so valuable to both the older and younger students, and heartwarming to watch, as kindergarteners quickly begin to look up to their buddy as a role model.
The Elementary School Experience
Every Child Known,
Every Mind Challenged
At WNS, we nurture the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of every student. Academic rigor is thoughtfully woven into the fabric of the elementary experience, where each day students are makers, thinkers, entrepreneurs, interpreters, observers, and investigators. They engage in a rich, interdisciplinary curriculum that challenges them to think critically, solve problems, and collaborate meaningfully.
Core academics are integrated with specialized subjects, fostering a love of learning across disciplines. Through our custom social learning curriculum—alongside Responsive Classroom and Developmental Designs—students develop the confidence, empathy, and resilience they need to thrive in school and beyond.
Elementary School Curriculum
Projects That Come To Life
Elementary studies at WNS are grounded in a project-based learning approach that empowers students to apply academic concepts in meaningful, real-world contexts. Driven by their own ideas and experiences, students develop a deep, intrinsic motivation to master core skills.
In first grade, mathematical reasoning and persuasive communication come to life as students launch their own businesses during WNSville. Second graders sharpen their narrative and persuasive writing as they explore the qualities of effective leadership in their Changemaker unit.
By third grade, students apply close reading, analytical writing, and research skills to study the westward expansion of the United States.
In fourth grade, they broaden their global awareness through in-depth research projects that explore world cultures, geography, and current events.
Through these interdisciplinary experiences, students grow as critical thinkers, collaborators, and confident communicators—laying a strong foundation for continued academic success.
Curriculum Explorer
Specialist Subjects
Visual Arts
The visual arts program values process, exploration, and problem-solving. Students learn through experimentation and discovery, and we encourage critical thinking and decision making. Projects include drawing, painting, weaving, ceramics, sewing, and much more. At WNS we love what goes up on our walls, but we value the process, learning new techniques, and diversity of thought when it comes to creating art.
The visual arts program values process, exploration, and problem-solving. Students learn through experimentation and discovery, and we encourage critical thinking and decision making. Projects include drawing, painting, weaving, ceramics, sewing, and much more. At WNS we love what goes up on our walls, but we value the process, learning new techniques, and diversity of thought when it comes to creating art.
Science
In the early elementary years, students begin visiting the science lab, where they practice the skills needed to help them to make sense of the world around them and become literate in science, engineering, and technology. The science curriculum is inquiry and problem-based and includes planning and carrying out investigations, obtaining, evaluating, communicating information, and designing solutions for real-life problems.
The upper elementary science program continues to build on science and engineering skills. Students visit the science lab regularly to participate in authentic, project-based learning. Students develop and use models, engage in argument from evidence, and use mathematical and computational thinking.
In the early elementary years, students begin visiting the science lab, where they practice the skills needed to help them to make sense of the world around them and become literate in science, engineering, and technology. The science curriculum is inquiry and problem-based and includes planning and carrying out investigations, obtaining, evaluating, communicating information, and designing solutions for real-life problems.
The upper elementary science program continues to build on science and engineering skills. Students visit the science lab regularly to participate in authentic, project-based learning. Students develop and use models, engage in argument from evidence, and use mathematical and computational thinking.
Dance at WNS is joyful, expressive, and rooted in community. Students participate in creative movement classes, developing coordination, rhythm, and confidence through performance and play. Whether practicing choreography or moving freely to music, students strengthen their bodies, build resilience, and celebrate the joy of movement.
Music
Elementary students experience a rich and varied music program designed to build both skill and appreciation. They explore world music, music theory, and the families of the orchestra, while learning to identify instruments and understand rhythm. Students practice proper singing technique, develop stage presence, and study great composers and musicians. There are many performance opportunities at WNS where you can where every student gets a chance to shine on stage!
Elementary students experience a rich and varied music program designed to build both skill and appreciation. They explore world music, music theory, and the families of the orchestra, while learning to identify instruments and understand rhythm. Students practice proper singing technique, develop stage presence, and study great composers and musicians. There are many performance opportunities at WNS where you can where every student gets a chance to shine on stage!
Design-Code-Make
Beginning in 1st grade, students participate in DCM (Design-Code-Make). DCM introduces young learners to the principles of design thinking, computational thinking, and the maker mindset—empowering them to become creative problem-solvers and thoughtful digital citizens. Students engage in hands-on building projects while exploring foundational programming concepts, developing essential research skills, and learning the fundamentals of internet safety. This innovative program nurtures curiosity, resilience, and technical fluency from an early age.
Beginning in 1st grade, students participate in DCM (Design-Code-Make). DCM introduces young learners to the principles of design thinking, computational thinking, and the maker mindset—empowering them to become creative problem-solvers and thoughtful digital citizens. Students engage in hands-on building projects while exploring foundational programming concepts, developing essential research skills, and learning the fundamentals of internet safety. This innovative program nurtures curiosity, resilience, and technical fluency from an early age.
Physical Education
The elementary P.E. program places emphasis on learning skills sequentially while maintaining a safe, orderly atmosphere. The ultimate goal of the physical education curriculum throughout all grades is to introduce enjoyable activities and healthy concepts to promote lifelong fitness and optimal health.
Elementary grades develop locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative skills as well as body and space awareness through a variety of applications and activities. Students also learn the form and function of their bodies through elementary anatomy and physiology units. In addition, sports skills and cooperative games are covered where teamwork and cooperation are emphasized.
Spanish
The objective of the elementary Spanish program is to develop students’ awareness of the importance of the Spanish language and the richness and diversity of the Spanish culture around the world. Based on previous learning experiences, students reinforce and extend their foundation of the Spanish language and its culture. Units of study include greetings, introductions, engaging in conversations, colors, numbers, weather, family, clothing, and animals.
The Spanish curriculum includes playful, fun, and engaging activities that develop four fundamental skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Library
In Library classes from Kindergarten through 4th grade, students develop a lifelong love of reading while building foundational literacy and research skills. Through rich read-alouds, engaging book exploration, and thoughtful discussions, they learn to navigate fiction and nonfiction, understand story elements, and make meaningful text-to-self and text-to-world connections. As they grow, students are introduced to digital citizenship, basic research techniques, and how to responsibly access and evaluate information—laying the groundwork for future academic success and a deep appreciation for literature.
In Library classes from Kindergarten through 4th grade, students develop a lifelong love of reading while building foundational literacy and research skills. Through rich read-alouds, engaging book exploration, and thoughtful discussions, they learn to navigate fiction and nonfiction, understand story elements, and make meaningful text-to-self and text-to-world connections. As they grow, students are introduced to digital citizenship, basic research techniques, and how to responsibly access and evaluate information—laying the groundwork for future academic success and a deep appreciation for literature.
Life at Elementary School
