Elementary School
Elementary School

Elementary School

At Bellevue Children’s Academy, students ages 5 to 10 enter Elementary School as curious, confident learners within a close-knit IB World community. With small class sizes and expert teachers, they build strong foundations in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, while exploring art, music, drama, computer science, and physical education.

Through the IB approach, students ask questions, explore ideas, and apply learning to real-world contexts. They make connections across subjects, develop social-emotional skills, and collaborate on meaningful projects that build resilience, empathy, and leadership. By Grade 4, students are well prepared for what’s next - with strong academics, a global perspective, and a lasting love of learning.

Our curriculum

At BCA, students builds strong academic foundations while nurturing creativity, confidence, and character. From Kindergarten through 4th Grade, children grow as curious, independent learners through a rich blend of core subjects and specialist classes.

Kindergarten

At one of the best elementary schools in Washington State, children continue building key skills in reading, writing, and math while exploring the world through discovery.

Core academics

  • Language & Literacy: phonics, early reading comprehension, spelling, handwriting, and simple descriptive and narrative writing
  • Math: numbers to 100, addition and subtraction, place value, shapes, patterns, time, money, and simple data
  • Social Studies: communities, civics, geography, history, culture, and responsible citizenship

Specialist subjects

  • Science: light, sound, plants, animals, space, cycles, and early engineering concepts
  • Performing Arts: rhythm, instruments, ensemble work, role play, and fun performances
  • Art: drawing, painting, 3D projects, collage, and creative exploration
  • Physical Education: balance, coordination, locomotor skills, team sports, and dance
  • Spanish: vocabulary, greetings, numbers, basic grammar, and cultural celebrations
  • Library: book selection, fiction/non-fiction, and early literacy skills
Kindergarten

1st Grade

At BCA , 1st Grade students deepen foundational skills and gain confidence as readers, writers, and problem-solvers.

Core academics

  • Language & Literacy: reading comprehension, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and writing (narrative, opinion, informational, procedural)
  • Math: numbers to 1,000, addition and subtraction, introduction to multiplication and division, fractions, measurement, time, money, area, and geometry
  • Social Studies: government, civics, geography, history, economics, culture, and Washington State tribal studies

Specialist subjects

  • Performing Arts: rhythm, instruments, ensemble work, role play, and fun performances
  • Science: matter, forces, earth processes, ecosystems, life cycles, engineering design, and weather systems
  • Art: 2D and 3D projects, abstract and representational art, and mixed media
  • Physical Education: fitness, hand-eye and foot-eye coordination, movement skills, dance, and racquet games
  • Spanish: expanded vocabulary, verbs, sentence formation, and cultural traditions and holidays
  • Library: reading for pleasure, author/genre exploration, and beginning research skills
1st Grade

2nd Grade

In 2nd Grade at Bellevue Children's Academy, students refine fluency in core subjects and begin to make stronger connections between ideas and disciplines.

Core academics

  • ELA (English Language Arts): Phonics, reading comprehension, genres, writing, grammar, and research skills.
  • Math: Place value, operations, multiplication/division, fractions, measurement, geometry, time, and data interpretation.
  • Science: Earth & space, life science, environmental science, and physical science/energy.

Specialist subjects

  • Performing Arts: Movement, storytelling, cultural dances, improv, and teamwork through performance.
  • Art: Self-expression, cultural identity, teamwork, technology-themed projects, human-animal relationships, and energy/motion in art.
  • Physical Education (PE): Teamwork, sports skills, coordination, energy in movement, cultural history of games, and healthy habits.
  • Spanish: Grammar, family and cultural topics, technology comparisons, animals and habitats, energy/technology vocabulary, and conversation practice.
  • Library: Reading and discussing genres, and practicing research skills.
2nd Grade

3rd Grade

3rd Grade students are ready for more complex academic concepts and interdisciplinary projects, building strong critical-thinking and collaboration skills.

Core academics

  • ELA (English Language Arts): Phonics, reading comprehension, genres, writing, grammar, and research skills.
  • Math: Place value, addition/subtraction, multiplication/division, fractions, measurement, geometry, time, and data interpretation.
  • Science: Earth & space, plants and animals, environment, and energy/forces.

Specialist subjects

  • Performing Arts: Movement, storytelling, cultural dances, improv, and teamwork.
  • Art: Self-expression, cultural identity, still life, technology-themed projects, and energy/motion in art.
  • Physical Education (PE): Teamwork, sports skills, coordination, energy in movement, and healthy habits.
  • Spanish: Grammar, family and cultural topics, animals and habitats, daily life vocabulary, and conversation practice.
  • Library: Reading different genres and practicing research skills.
3rd Grade

4th Grade

In 4th Grade, students integrate higher-level thinking, research, and technology into their everyday learning, preparing for upper elementary.

Core academics

  • ELA (English Language Arts): Reading comprehension, analysis of fiction/nonfiction, writing, grammar, research, and speaking/listening skills.
  • Math: Place value, operations with fractions/decimals, ratios, measurement, data interpretation, and real-world problem solving.
  • Science: Local habitats, weather, matter and energy, ecosystems, human impact, renewable resources, and inquiry skills.

Specialist subjects

  • Performing Arts: Movement, storytelling, ensemble work, emotional expression, and confidence through performance.
  • Visual Art: Community and cultural projects, symbolism, environmental responsibility, and reflection on artistic choices.
  • Physical Education (PE): Sports skills, teamwork, coordination, strategies, fair play, and healthy habits.
  • Spanish: Vocabulary expansion, descriptive/comparative sentences, cultural learning, and conversation practice.
  • Library: Independent reading, organization, research skills, and comprehension development.
4th Grade

Outstanding academic results

BCA excelled in Fall 2025 MAP testing, showcasing top-tier academic performance across subjects and reflecting the strength of our curriculum and instruction.

98%

in Math

96%

in Language

97%

in Reading

A typical day in our Elementary School

Every day at Bellevue Children’s Academy is filled with engaging learning experiences and meaningful discoveries for your child. While daily schedules vary by grade level, here is what a school day looks like in our Elementary program.

Core learning pillars

Through our Elementary core learning pillars, students build a strong academic foundation, develop social and collaborative skills, thrive in a multilingual environment, and embrace global opportunities, laying the groundwork for future success.

  • Academic achievement

    Academic achievement

    Enjoy personalized learning that continuously enhances knowledge, skills and understanding.

  • Life competencies

    Life competencies

    Gain essential life skills to thrive in academics, as well as careers and personal lives.

  • Multilingualism

    Multilingualism

    Foster language skills and build confidence, with support in the students' home or first languages.

  • International opportunities

    International opportunities

    Try global skill-building programs and activities that develop critical thinking, teamwork and leadership.

Amy Lonac

What guides us every day is one simple question: what is best for students.

Amy Lonac, Director of Elementary

When to enroll?

At our private school in Washington State, we are still enrolling for the 2026–27 school year in our Elementary program. Our Admissions Team is ready to guide and support your family through every step of the process.

Inquire now

Experience a transformative Elementary education at Bellevue Children’s Academy, where students in Kindergarten–Grade 4 build strong academic foundations through the IB Primary Years Programme.

Inquire now