Elementary Education
Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) has a long-standing commitment to educating the whole child. Our curriculum is designed to help students develop intellectually, physically, emotionally, ethically, aesthetically, and socially. We encourage students to become active, engaged learners and responsible citizens. At each grade level our teachers challenge students and help them achieve academic and intellectual competencies. We have 12 elementary schools including 4 choice schools and programs to engage students at all learning levels.
Curriculum
Students receive instruction in reading-language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, visual and performing arts, and physical education. The District has adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in mathematics and English Language Arts.
Curriculum Summaries
Other Curriculum Information
- Library Media Program
- Math Curriculum
- Physical Education Program
- Science Curriculum
- Teachers' College Writing Workshop | Spanish
- Visual and Performing Arts Program
Instruction Materials
Reading
In addition to using the Reading Units of Study developed by Teachers College at Columbia University, teachers also use a variety of leveled books at students' independent and instructional reading levels.
Writing
Teachers draw from a variety of materials however the most commonly used materials are units of study in opinion, information, and narrative writing published by Teachers College Reading & Writing Project at Columbia University.
Math
Bridges in Mathematics, 2nd edition, published by the Math Learning Center.
Social Studies
Social Studies Alive!, published by Teachers' Curriculum Institute.
Science
- Full Option Science System (FOSS) program developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science at U.C. Berkeley.
- Information about the Next Generation Science Standards.