Elementary Students at IPA enjoy an enriched curriculum that includes meeting regularly with special teachers focused on the following curriculum areas:

Science

Students explore biological, chemical and physical aspects of the natural world, and the relationships between them. Students participate in hands-on experiments and student-initiated inquiries as they explore the themes: living things, earth and space, materials and matter, and forces and energy.

Art

Appreciation as well as the opportunity to produce works of art in a wide variety of media is the core of the art program in the elementary grades.  Students become aware of the characteristics of specific artists and artistic styles, and have the opportunity to create art in media that range from clay to watercolor to collage and multi-media.  Past projects have even included painting on hubcaps and creating Australian aboriginal style art on weathered palm wood.  Many art projects are related directly to some aspect of the curriculum in another subject area, including math and science.

Music

Vocal music music and performance is an important part of the music curriculum in all elementary grades.  In addition, students in grades K-2 use a variety of instruments as they learn to be attentive listeners and to play as part of a musical group.  In grade three students also learn to play the recorder as an introduction to wind instruments and reading music.  In grades 4 and 5 the ukulele is used to introduce students to stringed instrumental music.

Technology

Beginning with Kindergarten, students regularly visit the Computer Lab to learn and practice keyboard skills and a number of age-appropriate software applications.  By the time they leave the elementary program, students are familiar with producing PowerPoint presentations and regularly use other software as learning tools.  Both laptops and desk computers are readily available to all students and they use wireless technology in all classrooms, along with SmartBoards in almost all classrooms.

World Languages

Students are exposed to a number of world languages during their elementary years, learning vocabulary and conversational phrases.  Performances at various times of the year include songs they have learned in other languages, and the annual Passport Day celebrates other aspects of the varied cultures they have learned associated with those languages.

Physical Education

Exercise and good nutrition are important to physical as well as intellectual development.  The elementary PE program seeks to engage students in activities that will lead to continued physical activity and participation in sports during their Secondary years.  Healthy eating and basic knowledge about how active bodies function are also part of the curriculum.