Academics at Ethical Culture

At Ethical Culture, we think of school as a continuous journey for the child and plan our curriculum accordingly. Each grade’s work is built around an essential question, one that gets to the heart of what we want children to take away at the end of each school year. For example, in prekindergarten, the question is, How do I work, play, and learn in my group in school? In the fifth grade, students explore the question, What are the roots of American democracy and the evolution of human rights? The knowledge, concepts, ands skills most important to that grade are built into this yearlong discussion. Technology is woven into the curriculum in creative and appropriate ways.

You will find on the curriculum pages for each grade level an overview of the year’s program for reading, writing, and math. Our students also work with specialists in art, science, Spanish, ethics, library, computer shop, art, and music. Physical education is part of the daily program. We are fortunate to have a wonderful library that in many ways is the heart of the school. It is our springboard for creating and sustaining a culture of reading, for helping children develop their research skills, and for introducing them to technology.

At Ethical Culture we get to know each child very well. We want each child to achieve his or her potential. We value and advocate a team approach in making important decisions about children. Accordingly, our Student Support Services is a vital resource for parents, classroom teachers, and children. Comprised of the guidance department, math department, and language and learning faculty, the group works together to meet the needs of individual students.

At every grade we teach common beliefs such as understanding multiple perspectives, seeing the world beyond the self, creativity and imagination, developing habits of justice, fairness, and empathy, respect for all people and points of view, and a critical approach to decision-making.