Primary School Academics
Our PK-2nd Grade curriculum is designed to build foundational skills, ignite curiosity, and prepare students for advanced study across all subjects.
Math
Number Sense
Students build a strong understanding of numbers through oral counting, one-to-one correspondence, and hands-on use of manipulatives, laying the foundation for confident mathematical thinking.
Problem Solving
Beginning in Kindergarten and expanding through Grades 1 and 2, students apply addition, subtraction, and early multiplication concepts while developing logical reasoning and critical-thinking skills.
Mathematical Foundations
Students explore geometry, measurement, and simple data analysis while learning mental-math strategies that promote flexibility, accuracy, and a deeper understanding of how numbers work.
Reading
Reading Readiness
Students build early literacy skills through phonemic awareness, vocabulary development, and oral comprehension, fostering confidence and a love of language from the start.
Fluency & Comprehension
Through daily practice and exposure to a variety of texts and genres, students strengthen reading fluency, deepen understanding, and learn to express ideas clearly.
Writing Foundations
Students master the writing process using a structured approach to spelling, grammar, and sentence construction, developing strong communication skills across grade levels.
Language Conventions
Students apply standard grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and rule-based spelling to communicate effectively and accurately in both written and oral expression.
Science
Hands-on Exploration
Students engage in age-appropriate experiments and activities that encourage curiosity and discovery through direct interaction with the physical world.
Observation & Inquiry
Through guided investigations, students learn to observe, ask questions, and make connections as they explore topics such as weather, seasons, and life cycles.
Scientific Foundations
Students develop an early understanding of scientific concepts through thematic units that build knowledge of the natural world and prepare them for future study.
Social Studies
Community & Culture
Students explore familiar places, traditions, and holidays while learning to ask questions, share ideas, and understand their role in a broader community.
History & Geography
Through engaging stories and read-alouds, students are introduced to early civilizations, explorers, and the geography of the Americas.
Civic Awareness
Students learn about influential leaders and historical figures, developing an early understanding of leadership, citizenship, and social responsibility.
Academic Highlights
School Gardens and SAGE Collaboration
Our K-4th-grade students actively tend the school gardens, cultivating a variety of fresh herbs, including mint, basil, and thyme, which SAGE, HDS's lunch program, uses to enhance the flavor of its freshly prepared meals. This hands-on experience connects students to sustainable practices and directly improves the quality of their school lunch.
First Grade "Catching Words"
During spelling instruction, our First Graders use their hands as a "catching mitt" to physically engage with words, catching and sounding out each syllable or phoneme. This active process, which includes identifying "red letters" (irregular or tricky parts of a word), helps students build a deeper, rule-based understanding of spelling patterns rather than simply memorizing a word list.