My son is so happy! Before when I asked him how the day went (at his former public school), he always answered “OK” to finish the conversation. Now, everyday he tells me what he enjoyed during the day. Each time when he is free, he would tell me “Mom, I want to create something!” – Gus’ Mom
VINCI School Elementary program offers a Hands-on and Personalized Learning experience to students who are typically talented and who enjoys a more tactile, material rich environment.
Hands-On
VINCI School Elementary classrooms offer a well-prepared environment, utilizing a blended pedagogy incorporating the time-proven Montessori in combination with our unique STEM program which is project-based. During core learning time, students enjoy:
- Freedom of Movement – tables and chairs are set individually or in small groups. Students are free to move around rather than being confined to a small desk.
- Guided Choices – a multitude of materials and resources, such as manipulatives, books, online exercises, and traditional papers-n-pencils, are offered for students to choose from.
- Weekly Science and Project Day to not just getting to know laws and facts but most importantly, learning the method of scientific inquiring, building projects with hands, writing while researching, and presenting the findings and conclusions.
Creative and Project-based Learning
As an innovative school at the forefront of education reform, VINCI School students spend 5 hours in English Language Arts, 5 hours in Math, 5 hours in Science & Engineering and 4 hours in a second language, in addition to Art, Drama, Physical Education and Character Building.
Our weekly Genius Hour sees the teacher becoming a mentor and a learner in parallel to students. The open-ended program does not have preset objectives, except encouraging students to utilize what they have learned to research and to design anything they would want to work on. Over the process, students gain essential life skills such as dealing with failure, presenting ideas, and implementing their own design.
3D Printing
Personalized Experience
As each core subject has its dedicated individual study period in addition to learning in a group, teachers have time to provide guidance 1-on-1. Each student’s skill set and progress is tracked and their Personal Learning Plans get updated each term. Instead of simple judgement and after-fact scores, goals are set proactively so that teachers and parents can work together to support the students to achieve the maximum.
Mandarin Immersion
Elementary students Grade 1 or higher may join the Mandarin Immersion program. In addition to Reading in Mandarin, students learn (or re-learn) Math, Science and Social Studies in Mandarin.
Technology Tools
Technology makes learning fun and keeps students on track. In addition to VINCI Connected Learning system that connects teachers and parents together, and interactive whiteboards/tablets in classrooms, VINCI schools adopt following online practice tools:
– Raz-kid for reading and comprehension (PreK and up)
– IXL for fluency practices
Elementary Curriculum Overview
VINCI School follow the rigorous American Common Core standards for Math, Language, and the Next Generation Science for Science & Engineering. Preparing all students for success in college, career, and life, VINCI School empower students to take back the ownership of their learning, focusing on their skills and abilities.
Sofia’s Story
Sofia is a student at VINCI School. She started in September with very basic Math skills, below the Common Core expectation.
During Math classes, Sofia enjoyed hands-on learning with Montessori beads, VINCI animated Math games, and Singapore Math. Sofia’s parents followed her teacher’s advice and made sure that Sofia consistently spent an hour a week practicing Math at home.
Sofia was the last student who signed up for that year’s International Kangaroo Math Contest. And she won a Bronze Medal! In fact, half of her friends were on the winning list, making up 25% of regional winners for the grade.