In grades kindergarten through five, the Everyday Mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project, forms the foundation of Clairbourn’s mathematics program. There is a systematic progression of skills, a strong focus on real-life problem solving, and many opportunities for hands-on learning.

When additional practice or enrichment is needed, teachers use a variety of resources to meet the needs of individual students. At each stage of learning there is an emphasis on critical thinking, development of a deep understanding of the concepts being taught, and on the acquisition of solid computational skills.

Our program is designed to enable all students to master comprehensive mathematical content, appreciate the inherent beauty of mathematics, and become confident mathematical thinkers. Cross curricular application of mathematics helps our students understand the relevance and real-life applications of math.

The elementary school language arts curriculum is built upon three essential and interrelated strands: reading, writing, and speaking.

Effective writing is crucial, not only to academic achievement, but also to personal fulfillment and professional success.  Writing instruction at Clairbourn develops each student’s talent for self-expression while expanding and deepening the ability to express themselves

Clairbourn’s writing program focuses on the concepts of ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions (grammar, spelling, and punctuation), and presentation. Students write in all subject areas and in a variety of forms; journals, stories, essays, research reports, poetry, newspaper articles, and personal letters.

Oral communication and speaking skills are woven into every area of the curriculum in each grade level. Through class sharing, oral reports, presentations at Morning Assembly, plays, classroom discussions, readers theater, and role playing, students are taught to speak with poise and confidence.

Clairbourn’s elementary grade students learn about science from participating in hands-on activities that encourage them to experience the processes, joy, and fascination of science. The ultimate goal of Clairbourn’s science program is to actively engage our students in scientific inquiry and empower them to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly scientific and technological world.

Clairbourn’s campus provides an environment that nurtures students’ interest in scientific observation and experimentation. Clairbourn’s science goals are closely aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.), along with science-related communication skills, are integral parts of the school’s science program.

An annual Engineering Design Challenge provides an opportunity for students to design and build an object or structure which solves a predetermined engineering problem or challenge. Students in grades one through three engage in the challenge as a whole class rather than competitively, while students in grades four through eight compete in pairs to produce the most effective solution to the challenge.

Clairbourn’s social studies program is designed to help students understand the world in which they live, including the geographic, cultural, political, and economic systems of their own and other nations. While gaining a sense of the placement of important historical events in time, students develop a respect for the rights of others, gain insights into how people can effectively live and work together, develop an understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens, and begin to understand the interconnectedness and cause-effect relationships of their world.

Moving upward through the grades, the scope of the curriculum expands outward from the study of home and school in kindergarten to our local communities, our state, the nation, and the world. In all grades, the social studies curriculum is integrated with reading, writing, science, geography, and math. The use of plays, simulations, online videos, biographies, historical fiction, and outside speakers, help students develop a sense of history, and an understanding of both the past and the present.

Clairbourn’s social studies program lays the foundation for our students’ future as  they learn to  identify, understand, and work to solve the challenges facing our diverse nation in an increasingly interdependent world.

The library is at the center of Clairbourn’s educational resources and its literacy programs, with over 15,000 volumes and extensive pre-filtered, age-appropriate on-line resources. A dedicated online Clairbourn Library class area, accessible through the school's intranet, provides safe and useful information and links which can be accessed at school and at home.

During weekly class visits to the library, students listen to a story, discuss books, learn about authors, and check out books. The librarian works with classroom teachers to ensure that  activities support classroom instruction. Clairbourn’s librarian is an important resource for students, whether for suggestions on books for interest-based reading or for help in locating information for reports and research.

Library-sponsored programs encourage and support literacy, including the annual book fair and our “California Young Reader Medal Club” for Grades four and five,  introducing students to the best in children’s literature.

Each year the library and the Clairbourn Family Association sponsors several assembly presentations by local and nationally known authors and illustrators.

Parents are encouraged to make use of the library as well, especially to check out books to read aloud to their children.

Teachers and students access classroom computers for whole and small-group instruction, and interactive white boards are important instructional tools in every classroom. In addition, Clairbourn has a dedicated Innovation Lab with 3D printers, programmable robots, and a full-time innovation specialist teacher. In weekly classes, students receive computer/technology instruction designed to enhance their use of technology in their daily lives. The ethical and safe use of online technologies is an important element of the curriculum.

Elementary students meet twice weekly with our art and music specialist teachers, and both drama and public speaking are a part of the curriculum.

Starting in kindergarten, students have regularly scheduled physical education classes with our two full-time PE specialist teachers.