ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (AGES 3-11)
Children in the Elementary School follow the IB Primary Years Programme framework as the first step in their journey through the International Baccalaureate Programme.
The PYP offers students an extraordinary opportunity to make choices and take the ownership over their own learning. The IB Learner Profile found here articulates who our learners strive to be.
The Elementary School is a warm and welcoming place to begin an education at the American School of Warsaw
Our Elementary students also have the opportunity to participate in After School Activities (ASAs), in Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL), in our Elementary Garden and with service work both in the school and in the community.
Our school offers 1:1 technology, small class sizes and Teaching Assistant support in every classroom. We prioritize student mental health and wellbeing and have 2 counselors dedicated to the Elementary school.
Please contact us at ESOffice@aswarsaw.org with any questions or for more information or inquire today and let’s get started!
Jay Fladager
Academic Program
At ASW we are an authorized IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) school. The PYP is a curriculum framework designed for students aged 3 to 12. The PYP focuses on the whole child as an inquirer, both at school and beyond. Learning is intentionally designed so subjects are all interwoven, just like they are in the real world. PYP learning experiences invite students to explore local and global issues through the lenses of their own interests and questions.
While inquiry-based learning is driven by the students, we have clear learning outcomes and progressions for all traditional subject areas, which frame the knowledge, skills and understandings students will build.
Our exceptional PYP teachers use their understanding of child development and the curriculum to respond to specific learner needs and ensure that all children make progress at the appropriate level.
The PYP programme focuses on thinking, research, social, communication and self-management skills that go far beyond subject leaning and as such, the programme sets our young learners up to be successful in the IB MYP, IB DP and in life beyond ASW.
Elementary Years (Grades 1 to 5):
Students in the Elementary grades 1 through 5 inquire deeply into the world around them. They are readers, writers, mathematicians and artists! They take ownership of their learning and express themselves through creative choice and confident voice.
The Grade 5 year culminates each spring with the celebration of the PYP Exhibition. The PYPx marks an important point in each student’s journey as an inquirer, reflective thinker, collaborator and problem solver.
Languages
ASW promotes language learning and the development of cultural identity. Many of our students are second, third or even fourth language learners. We offer Polish for native Polish speakers, Polish as an additional language, French as an additional language as well as language instruction in several home and family languages. As our host country, Polish cultural awareness and appreciation is embedded in the Units of Inquiry, cultural events held at the school and explicitly taught in connection to language.
After-School Activities
ES students are offered a variety of academic, athletic, social and games-based activities to choose from during four blocks of Elementary School activities.
All school sponsored activities occur after the formal school day, from 15:45 - 16:30. Over the course of the school year, ASW offers ES students the opportunity to participate in four blocks of activities; Fall Block One (September-October), Fall Block Two (November-December), Winter Block (January-March) and Spring Block (March-June).
Examples of ES activities offered at ASW:
Cooking Club, French, Swimming, Basketball, Jewellery Making, Indoor Games, American Football, Reading and Run Club, Drama Games, Table Tennis, Pierogi Bowl (House Games), Floor-ball, Heart Poetry Cafe, Math Club, Chess, Fun with Fabrics, Tennis, Soccer, Roots n Shoots, Outdoor Club, Robotics, Choir, String Ensemble and many more.
Early Years (Pre-K to Kindergarten)
Our Early Years program (grades Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten) offers every child the chance to discover the skills they will need to set out on their unique learning journey.
Children in the Early Years program will:
- learn to ‘be’ with others in our learning community
- have the space to wonder and discover the world through play
- share their ideas and undertake learning adventures
- grow as communicators
OPAL Play and the Garden
Play is essential for the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development of the child. We believe all students should have the opportunity to experience daily unstructured outdoor play in an environment full of materials and equipment that honors their interests and inspires imagination and curiosity. Our commitment to high quality Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) program supports academic achievement.
The PYP Garden is our in-school service zone for all elementary learners. Classes visit the garden to assist with maintenance including planting, weeding, compost stirring, and in the fall and spring, the harvesting of fruit and vegetables. As a service opportunity, children in the PYP work in our interactive and authentic garden space to learn about sustainable behavior while developing essential life skills and the Learner Profile attributes.
Support for Students
ASW offers an array of support to each child to best meet their growth and development. We believe that each child’s learning journey is unique and requires a personalized approach. Our programming aims to support student’s mental health and well-being.
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Our Teachers and Teaching Assistants work as partners in each classroom to differentiate the learning environment, subject content and instructional approaches according to each students’ needs.
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Our Learning Support, Highly Able Learner, and English as an Additional Language teams work collaboratively with classroom teachers to implement strategies and resources that promote the inclusion of all students in the homeroom classroom.
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Our Counselors ensure that each new student has a smooth transition to ASW and make certain that each student succeeds socially and academically. Counselors offer 1:1 and small group sessions to provide students with the tools to overcome academic challenges, maintain a positive self-image, and utilize problem solving strategies.
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Our Counselors work with teachers in the classroom on curriculum based upon the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) model and include lessons about academic, social, and career awareness.