Core Program 
At the Lower Schools, reading, mathematics, science, and social studies are taught by teachers within the structure of a traditional grade-level program. Newly written Curriculum Guides specify the goals and objectives to be achieved, but the teachers are encouraged to teach in unique and creative ways that reflect their own styles and strengths, meet the multifaceted needs of the students, and challenge them to excel. In this way, each school day is fresh and exciting, students enjoy learning, and basic subject matter becomes interesting and readily achievable. On any given day, handmade projects are being shared, students are presenting book reports in costumes that represent main characters, and others are singing a song about the states and capitals - all great ways to learn!
The Middle School students move from the self-contained classrooms at the Lower Schools to departmentalized instruction, rotating for each subject. The program is academically demanding and integrated across the curriculum to ensure depth of understanding of the hearty subject matter. English, history, and the arts come together in several strong and exciting units throughout the year. For example, in sixth grade, while studying ancient Egypt in history, students read The Golden Goblet in English, and create Egyptian art in Visual Art class. In seventh grade, students read The Samurai's Tale in English while studying Feudal Japan in History. This unit culminates in a formal Japanese Tea Ceremony. In eighth grade, students study W.W.II and the Holocaust while reading Elie Wiesel's Night.
Specialist Programs
Unique to Warren-Walker Schools are the seven specialist programs taught by highly qualified and dedicated professionals. Beginning in prekindergarten, students have regular music classes and drama for an extended period leading to a production involving singing, dancing, and role-playing in fine costumes. Each class play - prekindergarten through fifth - is performed twice: once for students and faculty, and again for family and friends. Middle School productions reflect a high level of competence and sophistication. Also in Middle School, each student plays an instrument in our concert band.
Instruction in computer and library skills begin in prekindergarten, as well. These two programs are connected by our strong Information Technology curriculum. In this "age of information", students must learn how to access resources efficiently and effectively. The computer teacher and the librarian work closely with the core curriculum teachers to help students find the information needed to complete projects and write well-developed reports. The librarian also shares wonderful books with the children, from all genres, which are available for check-out.
Beginning in kindergarten, Spanish is taught daily. Through direct instruction, dialogue, repetition, recitation, art, play, and song, students learn basic vocabulary, common phrases, and short dialogues leading to the completion of high school level Spanish by eighth grade. Of great importance, the students grow accustomed to regular instruction in a foreign language, develop excellent listening skills, and an appreciation of cultures other than their own.
Physical education is also taught daily beginning in kindergarten. The Lower School program is lively and interactive, the emphasis being on cooperative play, not competition. In Middle School, the daily physical education program is continued, and interscholastic sports are offered, as well. More than eighty percent of the students participate in at least one sport, with most competing all three seasons.
Formal art instruction begins in first grade. At the Lower Schools in the first quarter, the focus of study is on the basic elements of art - line, shape, color, texture, form, space, and value. Students are taught to look at things from an artist's perspective, and work on drawing skills. The principles of design are the emphasis during the second quarter. The students learn how balance, emphasis, pattern, rhythm, proportion, unity, and variety are used in a work of art, experimenting with them in various projects. "Art with the Masters" is the topic third quarter. Students look closely at the work of famous artists and carefully reproduce their famous paintings. Fourth quarter, "Careers in Art" is the main unit of instruction, and students are taught a variety of skills including graphic design and cartooning. The topics are re-taught each year at higher levels with projects of increased complexity. All aspects of art - artistic perception, creative expression, historical and cultural context, aesthetic valuing, and connections, relationships and applications - are addressed in Middle School, fostering higher levels of proficiency, confidence, and appreciation.
Grade Level Curriculum
with the Extra Razzle - Dazzle!
Warren-Walker School is proud of the well-balanced and carefully designed core program, and of the extra razzle-dazzle offered at every grade level.