The goal of KZV Elementary School -- kindergarten through fifth -- is to instill a love of learning and the confidence that comes from developing the core skills and strategies for learning that our students will need to be successful at KZV and beyond.

KZV Elementary School program encourages students to learn through the natural joy and exploration of childhood. The curriculum builds on a foundation of understanding how students learn at each stage of their development. We draw on the best education practices of the past enhanced by recent advances in pedagogy.

Our classes balance individual and collaborative work. We help our students to master facts while they learn strategies for problem solving and intellectual exploration. To enhance learning, we use instructional materials that relate directly to our students interests. At every level, we expect mastery of skills and concepts only when students have reached the optimal stage of cognitive development.

Along with solid skill development, we encourage independence in thought. Students learn to gather information and to synthesize, form and support their own well-developed arguments. Multiple perspectives help students to develop critical thinking skills. Students learn to challenge assumptions, identify essential questions, gather diverse information and form and support well-reasoned opinions.

The social and emotional development of our students is equally important.  We work closely with our students to help foster a realistic and positive sense of themselves and to gain confidence in their ability to negotiate their way in school and in the world. KZV’s teaching approach builds students’ self-confidence and this in turn strengthens students’ ability to learn. Our students know that they are valued for who they are as they work toward becoming who they will be.