Lower School Experience (Grades K-4)

A TIME TO INQUIRE.

As students enter our Lower School, the journey shifts from discovery to inquiry. Children have developed the foundational skills that allow them to investigate increasingly complex ideas. Reading, writing, and mathematics become powerful tools for understanding the world.

Our transdisciplinary curriculum reflects the way real problems exist outside of school.

Students continue to build deep knowledge in mathematics, science, literacy, and social studies, while concepts and skills intentionally flow across disciplines. A study of the Marin Headlands might require scientific investigation, mathematical analysis, historical understanding, persuasive writing, artistic observation, and environmental stewardship. Students learn not simply the content and required skills of each discipline, but how each discipline contributes to understanding a larger question.

Equally important, students develop the confidence to embrace meaningful challenges because they are deeply known by their teachers.

Small class sizes and enduring relationships allow educators to understand how each child learns best - when to encourage, when to challenge, and when to provide support. Students feel safe asking difficult questions, sharing original ideas, taking intellectual risks, and learning from mistakes because they know they are seen, valued, and encouraged to grow. That sense of belonging becomes the foundation for genuine confidence.

A kind and compassionate community.

Outdoor Education, buddy relationships, collaborative projects, leadership opportunities, and increasingly independent inquiry help children grow as kind and compassionate community members. By the end of fourth grade, they have developed the academic habits, confidence, and sense of responsibility that allow them to step into Middle School with excitement, knowing they are ready for new opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow.

Victoria Huerta-Miller

Director, Lower School

80% of Marin Horizon students are performing at or above grade level among independent schools.

90-100% of our Lower School students are reading at or above grade level.

any text

Curriculum At-A-Glance

Mathematics

Marin Horizon’s math curriculum provides students with an exceptionally strong mathematical foundation ranging from developing number fluency in the lower grades to solving complex equations in the upper grades.

Challenges are viewed as learning opportunities, and students are guided to develop a growth mindset, learning from mistakes and developing the perseverance to seek solutions. Students are encouraged to find the joy in solving for the unknown as well as to make connections between concepts and see their application in the world around them. Through differentiated experiences, collaborative projects, and inspiring explorations, students emerge confident and enthusiastic math learners.

In the Lower School, we follow the Bridges Math curriculum which emphasizes the importance of the students gaining a conceptual understanding of math. When students are taught algorithms and procedures before they get the chance to explore the underlying principles of mathematics, you might lose a few. By giving them the opportunity to experiment with how numbers work, students come up with multiple strategies to approach new problems.

Sequenced Mathematics Trajectory

Social Studies

Designed for students to understand cultures and history and establish relevance to present times, the curriculum focuses on in-depth, project-based learning, framed around essential questions.

Social Studies classes are taught in mixed grade groupings, opening up opportunities for academic interactions with a larger number of students and providing deeper levels of collaborative learning experiences.

In the Lower School, our focus is on developing cultural competence and understanding interconnections between humans, animals, and the earth. Learners reflect on their own lives, of others in their community, and the world at large.

Sequenced Social Studies Trajectory

Language Arts

The literacy curriculum is designed to develop in students the foundation needed to become successful and independent readers and writers. Using evidence-based practices, teachers focus on cultivating the joy of reading and the art of expression.

In the Lower School, students experience a systematic and explicit word study program with elements of word recognition: phonics, morphology, orthographic mapping, phonemic awareness, and syllabication. The curriculum incorporates a wealth of reading materials from a diverse range of genres, providing children with an opportunity to utilize their newly honed skills in tangible contexts. This methodology underscores the hands-on application of their learning and cultivates a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance in the students.

Sequenced Language Arts Trajectory

Science & Engineering

Marin Horizon’s science curriculum promotes scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while engaging students with experiments, simulations, and real-world scenarios to make meaningful connections to the world around them.

Science classes are taught in mixed grade groupings, opening up opportunities for academic interactions with a larger number of students and providing deeper levels of collaborative learning experiences.

Lower School students gain foundational knowledge in life, earth, and physical sciences through hands-on experiments and observation.

Sequenced Science & Engineering Trajectory

Spanish

The Spanish Program is centered on fostering linguistic proficiency while also deepening students' cultural awareness and appreciation of Spanish culture. Lessons focus on developing the four core language skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking,—through developmentally appropriate and engaging activities.

In the Lower School, the Spanish program lays a foundation for language learning, with a primary focus on oral proficiency.

Sequenced Spanish Trajectory

Arts

Marin Horizon’s Visual Arts, Music and Drama curriculum fosters creativity, self-expression, and collaboration. It immerses students in an array of artistic pursuits, including drawing, painting, music, and various theater genres.

Our Visual Arts program encompasses activities such as drawing, painting, clay, and fabric arts. It marries structured techniques with free expression and incorporates explorative field trips to exhibits that align with units of study.

In the Music Program, students are introduced to a wide variety of instruments, learn about rhythm, melody, and harmony, and are encouraged to participate in school ensembles.

The Drama Program emphasizes creative expression and self-confidence through classes in dance, acting, technical theater production, and musical theater. Students engage in our highly anticipated end-of-semester musicals and dramas from Sondheim to Shakespeare allowing them to showcase their diverse talents.

Physical Education

Our goal in Physical Education and Athletics is to continually provide challenging ways for our students to be leaders and strong team members, to help develop their sense of self, and to bolster their confidence.

During sports activities, outdoor education excursions, and problem solving exercises, students are encouraged to focus on health, fitness, and the joy of being physically active, as well as positive communication and supporting one another. We value our diverse student population, and we create classes that recognize the different levels of our students' social, emotional, and physical development.

Our program benefits from our amazing location at the foot of Mount Tamalpais, between the ocean and the Bay. We take advantage of our access to unique outdoor spaces by partnering with our school transportation department. This mobility allows our physical education classes to provide enriching, eye opening experiences to all of our students.

any text

Parent Perspective

"A school can be viewed from many perspectives but none more powerful than from the perspective of a child. Children are investigators, truth-seekers, connectors, and emanate the vibration of the environment in which they exist. The students at Marin Horizon thrive every day. They are deeply supported by the faculty and staff and the culture of connection here. Our son has been a part of the MHS family for four years and it's one of his favorite places to spend his time. If you are interested in Marin Horizon I encourage you to take a tour. Be sure to ask questions and truly observe the environment. Connect with families and ask about their personal experiences. You will find so much joy."

menu-container

mobile-top-container

menu-trigger-container

header-portals-nav

mobile-search

mobile-main-nav

header-container

logo-container

logo-image

logo-image-interior

menu-trigger-container

right-container

right-top-container

header-portals-nav

search-container

trigger-search

right-bottom-container

nav-main

Horizontal Nav

In This Section