3/4/5: Where curiosity becomes independence
Built on a strong foundation, students deepen their thinking, pursue their interests and take increasing ownership of their learning.
Three years to explore, stretch, and lead
The 3/4/5 years are a time of remarkable growth. Students arrive ready to build on the confidence and curiosity developed in K/1/2 and begin taking greater ownership of how they learn, think and contribute.
In vibrant multi-age classrooms, teachers balance strong academic expectations with choice, creativity and hands-on exploration. Students tackle increasingly complex ideas, sustain their attention through longer projects, collaborate with peers and discover the satisfaction of pursuing questions deeply.
Meeting each child where they are
Differentiation is woven throughout the 3/4/5 experience. Each homeroom is supported by a collaborative three-teacher team, including two classroom teachers and a Learning Resource Teacher, allowing instruction to respond closely to students’ strengths, needs and readiness.
Through small-group teaching, individual conferring, ongoing observation and formal assessment, teachers continually adjust instruction, providing both targeted support and meaningful extension.
~5:1
student-to-teacher ratio during small-group math and literacy
Three-Teacher Team
Two classroom teachers and an embedded Learning Resource Teacher collaborate to support each homeroom.
Targeted Small Groups
Flexible groups allow instruction to respond to students’ current strengths, needs and readiness.
Ongoing Assessment
Daily observation, individual conferring and benchmark assessments help teachers understand growth and adjust instruction.
Stephanie Collins
Head of 3/4/5
Learning Through Connection
Ideas connect here.
At Stanley, subjects don't exist in isolation. A science investigation might inspire movement in dance. A history study might become a research project, book club, work of art or digital story. Spanish, music, technology and the arts create new ways to explore classroom learning.
By encountering ideas across disciplines, students learn to recognize patterns, make connections and apply what they know in new ways.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The world is part of the classroom.
Field trips, outdoor experiences and community partnerships give students opportunities to apply their learning in the wider world.
Each year, 3/4/5 students hike together and travel overnight to Cal-Wood Education Center, where environmental education, community building and new challenges invite students to stretch beyond their comfort zones.
In fifth grade, students take another step into leadership through a high ropes experience focused on confidence, trust and perseverance.
Classroom Hikes
Cal-Wood Overnights
5th Grade Leadership
Curricular Components
3/4/5 students deepen foundational skills while learning to think critically, investigate complex questions and make connections across disciplines. Small-group instruction, integrated studies and specialist classes create a rich academic experience that balances challenge with exploration.
Reading
Students grow as thoughtful, independent readers through whole-group instruction, book clubs, independent reading and individual conferring, developing strategies for understanding increasingly complex texts.
Writing
Through Writer’s Workshop, students develop authentic voices across narrative, fiction, nonfiction, poetry and opinion writing while practicing the full process of planning, drafting, revising, editing and publishing.
Spelling & Word Study
Small, differentiated groups use the Orton-Gillingham approach to move from foundational spelling patterns into morphology, including prefixes, suffixes and Greek and Latin roots.
Mathematics
In small groups averaging approximately 5:1, students build conceptual understanding through Illustrative Mathematics, meaningful problem-solving and mathematical discussion.
Science
Hands-on investigation drives a three-year rotation through Earth, Life and Physical Sciences as students ask questions, experiment, build models, analyze evidence and develop scientific explanations.
Social Studies
A three-year rotation through Colorado, U.S. and World History invites students to investigate identity, culture and change while developing research skills, perspective-taking and evidence-based thinking.
Arts & Making
Visual art, music, dance and makerspace experiences invite students to create, experiment and solve problems, often connecting artistic work directly to classroom studies.
Spanish
Stories, movement, play and cultural inquiry build language confidence while connecting students to traditions, perspectives and communities throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
Physical Education
Students develop athletic skills, strategy and body awareness while emphasizing effort, improvement, teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship.
Choice
Dedicated Choice time gives students opportunities to pursue interests, create, collaborate, engage in play and experience the ownership that comes with self-directed learning.
Social-Emotional Learning
Weekly SEL classes and daily classroom experiences strengthen self-awareness, self-management, perspective-taking, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
Technology & Digital Citizenship
Students become active creators with technology while developing digital citizenship, media literacy, research, design and creative problem-solving skills.
Beyond the Classroom
Field trips, outdoor education and community experiences extend learning beyond campus, including an annual hike and the 3/4/5 overnight experience at Cal-Wood.
Opportunities to Go Deeper
Optional experiences including choir, dance ensemble, PE Choice and fifth-grade Math Olympiad give students additional ways to pursue interests and challenge themselves.
Want to dig deeper?
Explore Stanley’s full Curriculum Guide for a closer look at the learning progression, instructional approach and experiences that shape the 3/4/5 years.
Ready for what comes next
From growing independence
to greater ownership
By the end of their three years in 3/4/5, students leave as increasingly independent thinkers, collaborators and community members, ready to take on the greater complexity, responsibility and opportunity of Middle School.
See learning like this in action.
The best way to understand a Stanley classroom is to experience one. Come see how curiosity, connection and joyful learning come together every day.