In grades kindergarten through five, the Everyday Mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics research, 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 their 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 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 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 Families 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 technology for whole and small-group instruction, and interactive whiteboards 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.

Students in grades kindergarten through three have twice-weekly music classes in the Music Room, where they learn to sing and play percussion, string, and wind instruments and begin to develop an understanding of the elements of music. In grades four and five, students have twice-weekly group instruction on a wind instrument plus instruction to further increase understanding of the elements of music. Art lessons and experiences focus on both conceptual development and technical skills. Art is approached from a global perspective, and art appreciation and aesthetics are explicitly developed through analysis and discussion of art and artists as well as through each student’s analysis of his or her own work. Students work in a variety of media. The annual Art Show showcases art produced by every student.

Starting in kindergarten, students have regularly scheduled physical education classes with our two full-time PE specialist teachers. First through fifth grade classes meet four times a week for primarily single-gender physical education classes. The physical education program emphasizes skill-building for team and individual sports while incorporating activities that promote coordination, fitness, and physical development.  Swimming instruction and free swim time is provided for all ages during warm weather.  A regulation P.E. uniform is required beginning in fourth grade. Middle school classes meet five times a week and students participate in competitive sports with other area independent schools.