Upper Elementary (Grades 3-5)

Where Learners Become Leaders

Welcome to Upper Elementary!

These are the bridge years, where students transition from learning to read to reading to learn, from concrete thinking to abstract reasoning, and from following to leading. At St. Paul’s, our 3rd through 5th grade students build on their strong foundation, developing the critical thinking skills, independence, and confidence they’ll need for middle school and beyond.

Our Upper Elementary students are curious, capable, and ready for challenge. They ask deeper questions, tackle complex problems, and begin to see themselves as scholars and leaders within our school community. These years are crucial for developing study habits, self-advocacy skills, and a genuine love of learning that will carry them through their academic journey.

Our program delivers rigorous, engaging curriculum rooted in Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, integrated with Catholic values and our School Learning Expectations. We nurture the whole child, creating thoughtful, compassionate, well-rounded students prepared not just for middle school, but for lives of meaning and purpose.

A Community That Challenges and Supports

Upper Elementary students benefit from small class sizes and part-time teacher assistants who provide daily support in Language Arts and Math, offering both in-class assistance and small-group instruction.

Our Learning Services Support Team includes three Learning Resource Specialists who provide pull-out sessions for both remediation and enrichment, ensuring every student works at their optimal level of challenge.

Student Counseling services support social-emotional growth during these important developmental years. Add in our dedicated full-time school nurse and health clerk on site, and you have a community committed to every child’s academic, emotional, and physical well-being.

What Makes Our Program Special

Faith as Foundation

The school day at St. Paul begins and ends in prayer, grounding students in faith from the first bell to the last. Our chaplain journeys alongside students, presiding over liturgies and prayer services that transform beliefs into lived experiences. Religion is not confined to textbooks; it is woven into daily life, helping students recognize God’s presence in their learning, friendships, and growth.

Language Arts and Social Studies

Language Arts integrates with Social Studies, focusing on critical thinking, cultivating reading strategies, and developing strong writing skills across genres. Starting in 3rd grade, teachers utilize the Accelerated Reader program with data from STAR assessments to improve fluency and comprehension, working with students at their individual academic level. Part-time teacher assistants provide daily support, helping students move from learning the mechanics of writing to expressing complex ideas with clarity and voice.

Math that Builds Problem Solvers

Using the My Math curriculum from McGraw-Hill, students develop mathematical reasoning through collaboration, critical thinking, and strategic problem-solving. Part-time teacher assistants provide daily in-class and small-group support, while resource teachers offer pull-out opportunities for both remediation and enrichment. Students learn that math is not about memorizing formulas; it is about understanding patterns, testing theories, and applying logic.

Science that Inspires Innovation

Guided by Next Generation Science Standards, students explore, touch, and interact with STEAM phenomena through hands-on investigations using STEMscopes, an engaging, inquiry-based curriculum. They do not just learn scientific facts; they think like scientists, asking questions, designing experiments, and explaining the world around them.

Coding and robotics are integrated throughout the grades at St. Paul, building computational thinking and 21st-century skills essential for future careers.

Spanish Proficiency

Our robust 3rd-5th grade Spanish program continues building the foundation established in Lower Elementary. Through interactive games, storytelling, cultural exploration, and increasingly sophisticated conversation, students listen, speak, read, and write in Spanish while expanding their awareness of the Spanish-speaking world.

Technology Evolves

Technology integration is integral to grades 3-5. Students utilize technology in all disciplines depending on the subject.

Enrichment Specialists

Weekly classes in Art, Music, Physical Education, Library, Robotics, and Yoga/Mindfulness continue to round out the experience. These specialist teachers frequently align their projects with core curriculum, creating interdisciplinary connections that deepen understanding and spark creativity.

The Upper Elementary Experience

Walk into any St. Paul Upper Elementary classroom and you will see students deeply engaged in meaningful work. Third graders conducting scientific investigations. Fourth graders debating historical perspectives. Fifth graders collaborating on multimedia presentations. Teachers create safe, challenging environments where students learn to advocate for themselves, support their peers, and take ownership of their learning.

Upper Elementary students also step into leadership roles across campus. They mentor younger students, lead school initiatives, and represent St. Paul with increasing maturity and responsibility. These years build the confidence and character that will define their middle school experience and beyond.

What students experience in Upper Elementary shapes the leaders they become, and at St. Paul the Apostle School, we are committed to making every single day count.

Schedule a visit!

Ready to see it for yourself? Schedule a preview day to meet our teachers, explore our classrooms, and discover what makes the St. Paul’s Upper Elementary experience so special.

Schedule a Preview Day