Elementary School

The elementary curriculum is designed to nurture the expanding interests of children, fueled by their natural curiosity, developing reasoning skills and desire to understand the world around them. Aligned with Dr. Montessori’s philosophy, this stage of development is characterized by the child’s insatiable thirst for knowledge. To satisfy this curiosity, we begin by offering the child a grand, holistic view of the universe, then delve deeper into its components, composition, and evolutionary processes. Subject areas such as Language Arts, Science, and Math are presented alongside supporting textbooks, while each student creates a personalized copybook for every subject. All academic disciplines are interconnected, with a strong emphasis on exploring the origins and chronology of each field of study.

Student Voices: My Elementary Experience

Our Elementary School offers a rich and well-rounded academic experience that blends the strengths of multiple educational cultures. In addition to our American curriculum, students also follow the Italian Ministerial Program, giving them the advantage of developing strong academic foundations in two systems and learning to navigate and appreciate two distinct cultural and educational approaches. This dual pathway broadens their perspectives, deepens their adaptability, and strengthens both their language and critical-thinking skills.

Starting in second grade, students add Spanish to their weekly schedule, allowing them to build proficiency in a third language from an early age. Our commitment to academic excellence is further supported by annual assessments and certifications, including the Cambridge Exams, Italian state exams in collaboration with the Italian school system, and the Iowa Tests, which offer a clear comparison of students’ grade-level achievements with peers in the United States.

Students also enjoy a variety of elective classes—art, music, and physical education—which help them discover new interests, express creativity, and develop healthy habits. The school day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with 4th and 5th graders staying once a week until 5:00 p.m. for extended learning and enrichment activities.

Together, these elements create a dynamic and multicultural elementary experience that prepares students to thrive academically, socially, and linguistically in an increasingly global world.

aischool icon

Curriculum Overview

The Language Arts curriculum is designed to foster and develop students’ skills in reading, writing, and speaking.

Reading: Students enhance their comprehension abilities through a variety of activities, including silent reading, reading aloud, engaging with booklets related to their academic subjects, and reading for pleasure.

Writing: Creative writing allows students to express their thoughts and ideas. As their skills progress, students move from simple sentences to more complex structures, improving both their spelling and story-writing capabilities. They write book reports, poetry, and journal entries, gradually learning to analyze sentences, build complexity, and refine their research skills.

Grammar: Students explore the parts of speech and their functions using classical Montessori materials, such as Grammar Boxes. Definitions and symbols are introduced and correlated with each part of speech. Grammar instruction is seamlessly integrated with previous learning to reinforce concepts students have already mastered.

Spelling: Students explore word families, create spelling lists, and study word origins and meanings. Regular spelling tests help solidify their skills, while sight words and nomenclature are practiced to enhance retention.

Handwriting: Both print and cursive handwriting are developed through consistent practice, journaling, and class activities. 

The History program at AIS offers students a unique opportunity to explore the past from an international perspective. Across the Elementary years, students engage with both primary and secondary sources, which help them broaden their knowledge of history and gain a deeper understanding of the world’s past. The curriculum starts with the Big Bang and systematically progresses through time, culminating in the emergence of humanity. Each civilization and historical group is studied in sequence, with the Need of Man Chart providing the structural framework for their exploration.

At AIS, we nurture a passion for the arts through a diverse range of music, performing arts, and creative arts programs. Children are exposed to a variety of artistic experiences, helping to cultivate both creativity and an appreciation for different artistic forms.

Our Science program is carefully designed to offer a comprehensive, sequential curriculum that integrates key areas such as physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, earth science, and electricity. Students develop essential scientific skills, including the use of scientific apparatus, fieldwork techniques, and inquiry-based methods of exploration.

Geography is a subject that focuses on the Earth and its diverse physical and cultural phenomena. As the child’s immediate environment, the study of geography begins with the nomenclature of continents, oceans, and various land and water forms. From there, students explore each country in detail, using globes, maps, atlases, and a Map Skills Workbook to deepen their understanding.

Geometry studies begin with the identification and nomenclature of plane figures and geometric solids. As students continue their exploration, they study angles, polygons, triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles, calculating area, volume, and perimeter along the way. The concepts of similarity, congruence, and equivalence are also explored. Students record their discoveries and nomenclature in their personal copybooks, creating a visual and written record of their learning journey.

Upon entering the elementary Montessori program, most students already have a solid math foundation. Montessori materials are then used to deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts while reinforcing the memorization of math facts. Students work at their own pace while progressing through the curriculum under the teacher’s guidance. A full set of math textbooks and workbooks supports each grade level.