Upper Elementary School
Cohort Placement at AMPed
At AMPed, students are placed within learning cohorts based on academic readiness, social development, independence, and learning needs—not strictly by age or grade. These cohorts reflect how learning evolves over time and are designed to support growth, responsibility, and increasing academic complexity, rather than fixed grade-level boundaries.
Building Independence and Academic Depth
Upper Elementary marks an important shift. Students move from learning foundational skills to using those skills to explore ideas, investigate questions, and solve problems. As reading becomes a tool for learning, the world opens up in new and exciting ways.
At AMPed, this cohort balances increasing academic expectations with the developmental reality that students still need movement, play, and hands-on engagement. Learning is rigorous, active, and deeply human.
How Learning Works in Upper Elementary
Learning is organized around interdisciplinary projects that may integrate reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. Faculty design experiences that require students to think critically, manage longer-term work, and take increasing ownership of their learning.
Students are explicitly taught how to:
- Plan and manage multi-step projects
- Identify what they already know and what they need to learn
- Apply academic skills in real contexts
- Reflect on feedback and revise their work
Teachers remain closely involved—providing structure, guidance, and support as students grow more independent.
Academic Focus Areas
- Reading & Writing: Students engage with a range of texts and write for real purposes, including explanation, research, and reflection.
- Mathematics: Math is applied to authentic problems, emphasizing reasoning and conceptual understanding as they move into more abstract concepts.
- Science & Social Studies: Students investigate real-world topics, develop questions, and use evidence to support their thinking.
- Creative Expression & Design: Art, design, and creative problem solving are integrated across projects.Â
Demonstrating Learning
Students demonstrate learning through research projects, written work, multimedia presentations, portfolios, and exhibitions. Executive-function skills—planning, organization, and self-monitoring—are intentionally developed and supported.
By the end of Upper Elementary, learners are prepared for more complex academic challenges and greater responsibility for their learning.
