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Child Centered Curriculum
Our curriculum grows out of meaningful relationships and a deep understanding of each child. Learning is guided by curiosity, hands-on exploration, and a joyful experience of growth. Students develop confidence through an approach that engages the whole child: body, feelings, will, and intellect.
Personalized Learning Through Small Classes
Playmakers (TK–K)
7 students on average
5:1 student–teacher ratio
Imagineers (Grades 1–2)
10 students on average
6:1 student–teacher ratio
Discoverers (Grade 3)
10 students on average
6:1 student–teacher ratio
Creators (Grades 4–5)
14 students on average
7:1 student–teacher ratio
Explorers (Grades 6–8)
16 students on average
8:1 student–teacher ratio
The Homeroom Teacher
Every teacher at Living Wisdom School knows every child, but the homeroom teacher stays closely connected with each student’s growth. They guide academic progress, support emotional development, build trust, and create the safe, uplifting environment that allows children to take on challenges with confidence.
Living Wisdom School offers a rare environment where academic growth and emotional well-being develop side by side. The teachers truly know each child and guide them with patience, insight, and joy. As an educator in early learning, I deeply value how LWS helps children build resilience, inner confidence, and a genuine love of learning.
Raju Parikh, Living Wisdom Parent
Director of Early Learning Programs, Stanford University
Curricular Overview
Understanding People
Children develop empathy, insight, and the ability to live harmoniously with others.
Children learn to recognize and name their feelings, understand what’s happening inside them, and use calming practices when emotions feel big. Through stories, friendship skills, and community routines, they begin to work with their energy in positive, caring ways.
Language Arts
Clear communication strengthens a child’s ability to understand and express their inner world with confidence and truth. Reading opens the mind to new ideas, strengthens concentration, and nurtures a lifelong love of learning.
Early literacy grows through phonics, letter formation, beginning decoding, and joyful read-alouds. One-on-one reading, home reading books, and daily exposure to print help children build confidence as emerging readers.
Science & Nature
Exploring the natural world awakens wonder, curiosity, and a deeper awareness of life’s unity.
Students explore the natural world through gardening, observation, and simple experiments. They learn how plants grow, what soil is made of, and how living things change over time, building curiosity and a sense of connection with nature.
Kinder Café
Children help prepare and taste foods connected to the garden, learning about seasonal eating, balanced flavors, and how whole foods nourish the body. They use math through measurements, science through cooking, and vocabulary through the ingredients. Creating their own recipe book helps them take pride in their discoveries.
Art
Children express themselves with freedom, imagination, and joyful creativity.
Art invites children to express themselves freely while developing fine and gross motor skills. They explore paint, nature materials, and creative “Beautiful Oops” projects that teach them to see mistakes as opportunities.
Math
The child trains their mind toward clarity, order, and steady, focused thinking.
Math concepts are introduced through hands-on materials, movement, and real-world tasks. Children develop early number sense, sort and identify shapes, and begin simple addition and subtraction in concrete, playful ways.
PE / Movement
Builds willpower, coordination, confidence, and a healthy, energetic sense of self.
Movement time helps children develop coordination, spatial awareness, and teamwork. Games emphasize cooperation, healthy competition, and cheering for one another.
Wholeness
Cultivates calmness, inner awareness, and the ability to act from a centered place within.
Children begin each day with yoga, singing, breathing, and quiet moments that help them feel centered and ready to learn. Practices of gratitude and calm reflection nurture inner peace from the very beginning.
Children learn through joyful exploration, movement, sensory experiences, and hands-on activities. Early academic foundations grow naturally from discovery and imaginative play.
Understanding People
Children develop empathy, insight, and the ability to live harmoniously with others.
Students explore friendship skills, community roles, and the difference between rules and agreements. Culture units, maps, and stories help them practice empathy, cooperation, and peaceful problem-solving.
Language Arts
Clear communication strengthens a child’s ability to understand and express their inner world with confidence and truth. Reading opens the mind to new ideas, strengthens concentration, and nurtures a lifelong love of learning.
Writing develops through narrative, creative, and early expository work with expectations matched to each grade. Grammar, spelling, and vocabulary practice strengthen clarity and confidence as students learn to express their ideas with purpose.
Phonics and decoding progress through Orton-Gillingham lessons, spelling patterns, and guided reading groups. First graders focus on fluency, while second graders deepen comprehension through literature studies, read-alouds, and independent reading.
Math
The child trains their mind toward clarity, order, and steady, focused thinking.
Singapore Math lessons build number sense, place value, and early problem-solving. First graders explore number bonds, addition families, and beginning geometry, while second graders work with regrouping, multiplication, division, fractions, time, and money. Hands-on tools and games make concepts concrete and engaging.
Science & Nature
Exploring the natural world awakens wonder, curiosity, and a deeper awareness of life’s unity.
Students explore physical, life, and earth science through experiments, observation, and field trips. Units include light, sound, plants, animals, weather, landforms, and simple investigations that build curiosity and scientific thinking.
Art
Children express themselves with freedom, imagination, and joyful creativity.
Students explore drawing, painting, and mixed media through seasonal projects and Art in Action lessons. They learn about symmetry, color, and technique while strengthening fine motor skills and creative confidence.
PE / Movement
Builds willpower, coordination, confidence, and a healthy, energetic sense of self.
Movement classes build coordination, awareness, and teamwork through games and early sports skills. Students practice cooperation, sportsmanship, and joyful physical challenge.
Wholeness
Cultivates calmness, inner awareness, and the ability to act from a centered place within.
Daily circle time includes yoga, breathing, singing, and quiet moments that help students feel centered and ready to learn. Gratitude, visualization, and classroom jobs build confidence, responsibility, and a sense of belonging.
These years deepen emotional awareness and imagination. Students build emerging academic skills through stories, collaborative projects, and the gentle practice of understanding their feelings.
Understanding People
Children develop empathy, insight, and the ability to live harmoniously with others.
Students explore how people live, adapt, and make choices. Map skills, California regions, natural forces, and the Immigrant Project help them build empathy, cultural awareness, and perspective.
Language Arts
Clear communication strengthens a child’s ability to understand and express their inner world with confidence and truth. Reading opens the mind to new ideas, strengthens concentration, and nurtures a lifelong love of learning.
Reading deepens through literature units, genre studies, independent reading, and comprehension work. Word of the Day gives students an exciting way to engage with challenging new words. Students develop paragraph writing, story structure, note-taking, grammar skills, and creative expression through journals, stories, and poetry.
Math
The child trains their mind toward clarity, order, and steady, focused thinking.
Students strengthen place value, rounding, multi-digit operations, fractions, time, geometry, and early division. Concepts are practiced through real-world problems, games, and hands-on materials that build confidence and clarity.
Science & Nature
Exploring the natural world awakens wonder, curiosity, and a deeper awareness of life’s unity.
Students study natural phenomena through experiments, observation, and documentary exploration. Topics include weather, earthquakes, volcanoes, and ecosystems connected to California geography.
Art
Children express themselves with freedom, imagination, and joyful creativity.
Each week children dive into the work of a single artist, learning their style and story. They create their own version of their style, building skill, confidence, and personal expression..
PE / Movement
Builds willpower, coordination, confidence, and a healthy, energetic sense of self.
Games and activities encourage cooperation, teamwork, and healthy challenge. Students practice sportsmanship, coordination, and positive competition.
Wholeness
Cultivates calmness, inner awareness, and the ability to act from a centered place within.
Singing, walks, gratitude, and short meditation help students center themselves and bring steadfastness to their growing independence.
Students expand their sense of self and begin taking on new responsibilities. Classroom work strengthens focus, thoughtful choices, and the joy of mastery through meaningful activities.
Understanding People
Children develop empathy, insight, and the ability to live harmoniously with others.
Students explore Native American cultures, early colonial life, westward expansion, and American history themes. Writing projects, discussions, and hands-on activities help them understand values, leadership, community, and resilience.
Language Arts
Clear communication strengthens a child’s ability to understand and express their inner world with confidence and truth. Reading opens the mind to new ideas, strengthens concentration, and nurtures a lifelong love of learning.
Students strengthen narrative, expository, and opinion writing. Literature units, grammar practice, vocabulary study, and Writer’s Studio refine their ability to think clearly, write with purpose, and express ideas with precision.
Math
The child trains their mind toward clarity, order, and steady, focused thinking.
Math builds through fractions, decimals, long division, ratios, geometry, and multi-step problem-solving. EnVision lessons, Mindset Math activities, and sacred geometry projects support confidence and mastery.
Science & Nature
Exploring the natural world awakens wonder, curiosity, and a deeper awareness of life’s unity.
Students investigate scientific ideas through experiments, models, and observation. Earth science, ecosystems, and energy concepts connect to hands-on inquiry and long-term investigations.
Art
Children express themselves with freedom, imagination, and joyful creativity.
Students study artists such as Faith Ringgold, Jacob Lawrence, Kehinde Wiley, and others. Projects explore storytelling, composition, color, and technique while connecting to history and Understanding People.
PE / Movement
Builds willpower, coordination, confidence, and a healthy, energetic sense of self.
Team games, conditioning, coordination drills, and movement activities build strength, confidence, and sportsmanship. Students learn to approach challenge with calmness and enthusiasm.
Wholeness
Cultivates calmness, inner awareness, and the ability to act from a centered place within.
Yoga, breathwork, meditation, and a special emphasis on group singing help students balance their growing willpower with inner strength and calm.
Growing willpower becomes a meaningful part of learning. Students work on projects that strengthen skill development, cooperation, and the satisfaction of accomplishing work with clarity and purpose.
Understanding People
Children develop empathy, insight, and the ability to live harmoniously with others.
Students study ancient civilizations, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, American history, and civics. Weekly current events discussions help them explore leadership, values, culture, and inform their perspective on modern global issues.
Language Arts
Clear communication strengthens a child’s ability to understand and express their inner world with confidence and truth. Reading opens the mind to new ideas, strengthens concentration, and nurtures a lifelong love of learning.
Students read shared novels and Shakespeare, engage in literary analysis, and write essays, poetry, reflections, and letters. Vocabulary work, grammar study, and public speaking strengthen clarity of thought and expression.
Math
The child trains their mind toward clarity, order, and steady, focused thinking.
Middle school math includes pre-algebra, geometry, ratios, percentages, and multi-step problem-solving. Partner work, Olympiad practice, and AMC preparation help students think flexibly and confidently. Individualized support allows students to rise to their highest potential.
Science & Nature
Exploring the natural world awakens wonder, curiosity, and a deeper awareness of life’s unity.
Students explore life science, earth science, and physical science through labs, models, and hands-on experiments that root scientific ideas in real-world applications, and inspire a sense of awe in the natural world.
Art
Children express themselves with freedom, imagination, and joyful creativity.
Students complete independent art projects, experiment with technique, and integrate art with their historical studies. Creative work supports personal expression and discipline
PE / Movement
Builds willpower, coordination, confidence, and a healthy, energetic sense of self.
Games, fitness, yoga, dance, teamwork, and skill-building support physical health and positive competition. Students practice cooperation, leadership, and resilience.
Wholeness
Cultivates calmness, inner awareness, and the ability to act from a centered place within.
Daily yoga, meditation, physical energization, singing, and reflective conversation help students grow into maturity with self-awareness and inner strength.
Students learn to think more deeply and with intention. Academic work becomes connected to real-world understanding, creative inquiry, and experiences that strengthen maturity and inner confidence.
Learning That Shapes Consciousness
What students learn matters — who they become matters more.
At Living Wisdom School, every class serves a deeper purpose: helping children grow in awareness, confidence, empathy, and inner strength. Whether they are learning math, reading, music, science, or yoga, students are practicing focus, resilience, creativity, and the ability to work with their own energy. These skills shape who they become. We honor the truth that what a child learns matters — and who they are becoming matters even more.
Specialty Classes & Enrichment
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Through weekly singing and instrument classes, students build both technical skill and a felt relationship with music.
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All students in TK–8 participate in choral singing, developing listening, harmony, and confidence through shared musical experience.
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TK–1, the focus is on rhythm and musical foundations.
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2nd–3rd grade, students learn recorder and begin reading music.
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4th–8th grade, students choose guitar, piano, or flute, deepening technique and musical expression through more sophisticated pieces.
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All students in TK–8 are immersed in Spanish, building familiarity with the language in a natural, engaging way.
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Alongside vocabulary and grammar, students experience Spanish through songs, dance, and cultural traditions, helping the language come alive beyond memorization.
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Throughout the year, students celebrate Día de los Muertos, Año Nuevo, and Día de los Reyes Magos, giving them meaningful entry points into Spanish-speaking cultures and customs.
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Students build confidence expressing themselves not only through their voices, but also through physical movement and dance.
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Yoga gives children the opportunity to relax consciously and restore, while strengthening inner awareness through positive affirmations paired with each pose. These practices support both physical coordination and emotional balance.
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Through theater, students step into the lives of great people and cultures, helping them develop empathy and a deeper understanding of perspectives beyond their own. (Learn More about our Theater Magic program)
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Concert performances build confidence by guiding students to shift their focus from themselves to the audience they are serving, strengthening presence, poise, and joy in shared expression.
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Student Life & Learning Support
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Assessment is used to support each child’s overall development and learning process.
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All students receive a narrative assessment that offers a clear, detailed picture of individual progress, growth, and effort. Rather than reducing learning to a letter or percentage, these reports help families understand how their child is developing academically, socially, and emotionally. (See Sample Report Card)
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Supporting each child’s growth is a shared partnership between families and the school.
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In addition to ongoing communication throughout the year, three parent–teacher conferences are held in October, January, and May. These meetings provide time to review the narrative assessment, set goals together, ask questions, and create a thoughtful plan to support the child’s continued development.
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Each May, Living Wisdom School publishes its annual Literary Magazine, featuring the poetry and reflections of every student in TK–8.
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Through this project, students engage in the full creative process—writing, editing, refining, and illustrating their work—while learning to share their ideas with care and confidence. Over time, a treasured tradition has grown: once the magazines are published, students eagerly sign copies for classmates and friends. (See example)
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A Joyful Foundation That Builds Emotional Strength
Children in TK–2nd grade learn in a warm, curious, hands-on environment. Early literacy, numeracy, and lessons in Understanding People help them understand their feelings, build friendships, and grow confident in their abilities. This nurturing start creates relaxed, engaged learners.
Academic Growth Paired with Inner Development
In 3rd–5th grade, students stretch into deeper academics while building focus, communication, and resilience. They receive individualized instruction in reading, writing, and math, along with meaningful projects in science, art, theater, and Understanding People. These years strengthen clarity of thought and personal responsibility.
A Confident Transition to High School and Beyond
Our middle school prepares students for the opportunities ahead with rigorous academics, close teacher support, leadership experiences, and weekly current event discussions. Students grow in maturity and self-knowledge, leaving Living Wisdom School ready to thrive in high school.