Curriculum Guide

The Center's academic programs are designed with the developmental stages of children from toddlers through grade six in mind. The curriculum integrates core subjects with specialist classes in areas like art, science, library, and music, providing a well-rounded experience alongside social-emotional learning and community service programs.

Our Educational Philosophy and Mission Statement guide the ongoing development and refinement of curricular programs.

In EC1, children begin developing a sense of identity, self-esteem, and autonomy through sensory-rich, play-based experiences that support motor skills, creativity, and self-awareness. Teachers introduce foundational social-emotional and cognitive skills through engaging activities that encourage parallel play, turn-taking, and emotional recognition of self and others. Exploration and play are at the center of all hands-on sensory activities, dramatic play, and work with open-ended materials that build early problem-solving skills and foster creativity. Language and emergent literacy skills are fostered through stories, songs, rhymes, and content-driven discussion that supports expressive and receptive language development. Daily routines help children gain confidence in motor and self-care skills, such as hand washing, dressing, and working with a variety of materials, while strengthening both fine and gross motor coordination. Thematic learning experiences introduce early science, art, math, and literature concepts in a way that is concrete and relevant to their real-world experiences.

EC2 builds on the foundations of EC1 by fostering greater independence, self-regulation, and deeper engagement with language, literacy, math, and critical thinking within our primarily play-based model. Children are encouraged to take an active role in their learning through project-based, hands-on experiences that support curiosity and problem-solving. Through thematic units in social studies, science, art, and literature, children ask questions, make predictions, and test ideas through hands-on experimentation and discovery. Emergent literacy and mathematical thinking skills grow through unique programming that utilizes Sounds in Motion and manipulative-based math. As social relationships develop, children engage in collaboration and expression through group discussions, role-play, and storytelling, allowing them to share ideas, negotiate, and problem-solve together. Creative and critical thinking are encouraged through open-ended art, building projects, and science experiments that promote deeper exploration and independent thought. As they prepare for the next stage of learning, children gain confidence in autonomy and growth, taking on greater responsibility for their learning and decision-making.

At CEE, we know that five-and six-year-olds thrive in environments where play, exploration, and choice take center stage. Our kindergarten teachers create vibrant, nurturing settings that spark curiosity and hands-on discovery, guiding children as they build essential literacy, math, and social skills—all while nurturing a lifelong passion for learning. From day one, our classrooms are filled with engaging routines, structured play, learning centers, and plenty of opportunities for movement and social connection, ensuring each child’s academic and social growth aligns with their developmental needs.

CEE’s first grade program is designed to cultivate learning environments for six- and seven-year-olds to reach their full potential. Our skilled teachers lay the foundation with clear routines and a strong sense of belonging, making sure every child feels valued and seen. First graders are naturally eager to please, and our teachers expertly channel this energy through positive encouragement—celebrating effort and providing meaningful feedback. With a deep understanding of how first graders learn best, our teachers design short, focused lessons combined with movement breaks and social interaction, helping students grasp new concepts while steadily building their focus and stamina.

CEE’s second grade program is a structured, nurturing, and engaging environment in which students can flourish. Teachers set clear expectations and consistent routines while fostering a sense of curiosity and encouraging students to try new things. At seven- and eight-years-old, children are highly social, and our teachers design lessons that support collaboration and communication through small group work. With a deep understanding that second graders learn best through hands-on activities and play, our teachers create highly interactive learning experiences that engage students in meaningful and impactful ways. By incorporating movement breaks and positive reinforcement throughout the day, they ensure students remain focused and enthusiastic about learning.

CEE's third grade program is designed to provide structured yet flexible learning environments that promote hands-on exploration, creativity, and collaboration. At this stage, students are eager to explore new ideas, and our program offers interactive lessons that connect learning to real-world scenarios. Recognizing the importance of building a strong sense of unity, group work is a central part of the third grade experience. Teachers frequently rotate group dynamics, encouraging students to collaborate with a diverse range of classmates. The program incorporates focused minilessons and well-timed movement breaks, ensuring students stay engaged and focused throughout the day.

The fourth grade program at CEE is thoughtfully designed to foster independence and critical thinking in students. Understanding that students at this developmental stage are eager to engage with more abstract concepts and challenges, teachers prioritize these elements as they plan lessons and units of study. Recognizing the growing social skills of fourth graders and their enthusiasm for collaboration, the program offers many opportunities for class discussions and group work. With thoughtfully crafted lessons that offer avenues for academic choice, teachers expertly guide students toward independence, ensuring continuous growth throughout the school year.

Fifth graders learn best in structured yet flexible learning environments that nurture independence, collaboration, and critical thinking. At this stage, ten and eleven year-olds benefit from engaging tasks that challenge their reasoning and problem-solving skills while still requiring clear guidance and support from teachers. Our teachers recognize the social nature of this age group and skillfully design lessons that strike a balance between independent work and collaborative projects. By fostering a classroom atmosphere where students feel confident to explore new ideas, our teachers create the ideal blend of structure and choice, ensuring that each student remains engaged and motivated.

CEE’s sixth grade program is designed around a middle school model with departmentalized subjects, offering students an authentic middle school experience within their Elementary community. To facilitate their transition to secondary school, we ensure students navigate this structure with teacher guidance and support, helping them adapt effectively along the way. Academically, sixth graders are prepared to tackle increasingly complex concepts and thrive in collaborative group work, which our teachers prioritize throughout the year. The team meets regularly to create interdisciplinary connections, integrating subjects across the curriculum. Sixth graders participate in Advisory groups, study hall periods, campus-wide Work Service programming, and utilize lockers, all of which are intended to provide experiences in building independence at school. A primary goal of the program is to give students numerous opportunities to practice self-advocacy, take responsibility for their own learning, and further develop their intrinsic motivation. Sixth graders also take an overnight trip that features rich cultural and learning experiences that are connected to their academic experience as students in sixth grade.