Grade School Academics
The Ateneo Grade School has eight grade levels, that is from Kinder to Grade 6. For the purpose of a more effective system of instruction and supervision of teachers, the 8-year delivery system has been divided into a Primary School (Prep to Grade 3) and a Middle School (Grades 4 to 7).
Each subject area is guided by an appropriately designed academic program. In the Primary School the different subject areas in a grade level are supervised by the Academic Coordinator (AC). In the Middle School each subject area is supervised by a Subject Area Coordinator (SAC).
Academic Program
The Academic program of the Ateneo Grade School supports the mission-vision of the school - that of producing persons-for-others who are competent, socially-oriented and spiritually grounded. At the core of this program is the Christian Life Education which is both taught as an academic subject and integrated in the different subject areas.
Christian Life Education (CLE)
CLE aims to form the whole person, imbued with the knowledge and love of God and fellowmen. The CLE program hopes to develop in the student, better knowledge and understanding of the Word of God, thus promoting a faith that gives better meaning to the Jesuit thrusts of “social justice,” “becoming a man-for-others,” and “simplicity of lifestyle.” This improved understanding and awareness of the faith should flow completely into an ability to relate with others in love, to follow what is morally right and to pray alone and with others.
The general objectives include the DMW: doctrine (believing), morals (doing) and worship (praying). CLE aims to integrate the mind, will and heart.
Communication Arts
The Communication Arts Program aims to develop the students’ communication skills in both Filipino and English: Filipino because it is a vehicle for the transmission of the Filipino culture, including basic Filipino thoughts, sentiments, concepts and values; and English because it is one of the global languages.
Language (PS)
The English Language Arts Program aims to develop the students’ communicative and linguistic competence with emphasis on the four basic communication skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing and the different communicative functions effectively, both in conversing with others and as a tool to understand.
The English Language Arts Program provides various avenues for self-expression like the Speak-up and Paragraph Writing. It is also enhanced by curricular activities such as the Elocution and Spelling contests.
Reading (PS)
The Reading Program aims to develop in students skills and abilities in reading: oral reading, listening, speaking, writing, vocabulary, comprehension, work-study skills, critical and creative thinking, values and a lifetime love for reading. It aims to equip the students with skills, attitudes, values, and habits necessary for life-long learning.
The Reading Program utilizes story-based lessons of different literary genre to develop and enhance comprehension and word and work study skills. It also includes Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) which gives students more opportunities to read for pleasure; the Media Instruction Program (MIP) which offers lessons on work study skills and media education.
The PS offers differentiated programs for specialized needs in Reading. Remedial Reading programs such as the Prep Tracking and Grade 1 Early Reading Intervention Program are meant to assist students who require special attention.
The Reading program is enhanced by curricular activities like the Interpretative Reading contests and the Choral Exhibitions.
English (MS)
The English Language Arts Program aims to develop the students’ communicative and linguistic competence. It gives emphasis to the four basic communication skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing and to the different communication functions. Lessons are presented through various forms of texts that also focus on higher order thinking skills of persuading, analyzing, and synthesizing. The approach combines both social language and academic language. It relies primarily on learning strategies and student-centered activities that enable the students to use English more effectively, both in conversing with others and as a tool to understand the other content areas.
Filipino
Nilalayon ng programa ng Filipino ang patuloy na pag-unlad ng mga mag-aaral sa pakikinig, pagsasalita, pagbabasa, pagsusulat, at pag-iisip. Layunin din nito ang matulungan ang mga mag-aaral na mapahalagahan ang pamana ng kulturang Pilipino. Ang Wika at Pagbasa ay magkasanib sa programa. Ginagamit ang iba’t ibang uri ng panitikan upang mabigyan ang mga mag-aaral ng pagkakataong gamitin ang wikang Filipino sa kanilang pakikisalamuha at pagpapahayag ng mga saloobin. Sila ay nakikilahok sa mga gawaing nagbibigay sa kanila ng pagkakataong mahasa ang kanilang mga kasanayan sa pagsasalita, pakikinig, pagsusulat at pagbabasa.
Araling Panlipunan
Nilalayon ng programa ang malinang sa mga mag-aaral ang kamalayang panlipunan na nagdudulot ng pagiging responsableng pagkamamamayan sa isang pamayanan. Nakikilahok ang mga mag-aaral sa iba’t ibang gawaing panlipunan sa mga pamayanan. Natututuhan nila ang tungkol sa kasaysayan ng ating kultura, ang impluwensya ng ibang mga kultura at ang heograpiya ng ating bansa. Tinatalakay din ang mahahalagang isyung panlipunan. Nagsisilbing hamon ito sa mga mag-aaral upang maging mapanuri at aktibo sa pagtugon sa isang makatarungan, makatao at mapayapang mundo. Upang mapalalim ang kahalagahan ng paksa, nakapaloob sa programa ang pag-uulat sa mga kasalukuyang kaganapan, lakbay-aral, at mga gawaing pananaliksik.
Pinagsanib ang programa ng Araling Panlipunan at Filipino sa Primary School. Ang Araling Panlipunan ang nagsisilbing konteksto para sa pagpapaunlad ng mga kasanayan sa Filipino.
AP/Fil (Grades 1-3)
Ang kurikulum ng Filipino sa mga nasabing baitang ay pinagsanib sa Araling Panlipunan. Binigyan daan ito upang ang interdisciplinary approach ay maipatupad nang lubusan. Ang teksto ng mga aralin sa Filipino ay hango sa Araling Panlipunan. Pangunahing kasanayan sa pagbasa, pagsulat, at pagsasalita ay binibigyan diin sa mga antas na ito.
Mathematics
The Mathematics program aims to demonstrate understanding and skills in computing with considerable speed and accuracy, estimating, communicating, thinking analytically and critically, and in solving problems in daily life. It continues to emphasize conceptual understanding, skill proficiencies and thinking skills in the learning of mathematics. The program is designed to help the young students acquire a basic competency in the essential mathematics concepts and skills and their application to daily life. It aims to create a meaningful balance between skills in computation and an understanding of concepts through guided discovery and problem solving.
Science
As part of a holistic formation of responsible citizens, science education at the Ateneo de Manila Grade School develops in its students outstanding scientific competencies and attitudes in the context of Ignatian values and global realities, so that they may become effective agents of change and stewards of the environment.
The Science Education of the Ateneo Grade School seeks to engage students in active learning using various approaches so that they may attain an enhanced awareness and understanding of the physical world, to hone their investigative skills so that they may develop critical thinking and creativity, and to imbue them with attitudes and values that will help them make informed decisions on issues and act in the best interest of society as may be appropriate to their level of development.
Music
The program is based on the Kodaly concept, a philosophy of music pioneered by Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly. It aims to develop a love for Music supported by understanding and knowledge of basic musical skills, including reading and writing. The method is child- developmental, experiential and highly sequential and looks on singing as the essence of learning.
Art
The Art Program is based on the Project Method, an art education approach which seeks to develop creative and mental growth through art production. As students engage in self- expression through given topics and a variety of art media suited to their developmental stages, they learn the art vocabulary and concepts related to four domains: psychomotor (drawing, painting, cutting, and pasting), cognitive (elements and principles of art), affective (art appreciation and other inherent values) and expressive (creativity and visual communication). Topics are elicited, through motivation, from students’ life experiences, art subject matter, other disciplines and subject areas, and Filipino culture.
Sining at Paggawa (SiPag)
Nilalayon ng programa ang maranasan ng mga mag-aaral ang praktikal na gawaing magpapaunlad sa kanilang mga kasanayan, pag-uugali at pagpapahalaga na magtuturo sa kanila ng pagmamahal sa trabaho at pagpapahalaga sa dignidad ng paggawa. Ito ay nagbibigay ng iba’t ibang karanasan sa pagluluto, paggawa sa kahoy, at kuryente. Natututo ang mga mag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng paggawa, maging sa pagpaplano ng proyekto, paggamit ng kasangkapan o pagsunod sa proseso ng pagluluto.
Computer Education
The Computer Education of the Ateneo de Manila Grade School is an integral part of the overall Academic Program of the school. Directly supervised by the Science Subject Area Coordinator, the Computer Program is under the control and management of the Assistant Headmaster for Academic Affairs who reports directly to the School Headmaster, the head of the Grade School Department of the Ateneo de Manila University. The Computer Center, on the other hand, is under the supervision of a service unit coordinator, who oversees the proper acquisition, use and management of all computer-related software and hardware.
Physical Education
The Physical Education Program aims to develop the physical fitness, mental alertness, and emotional stability of the students through instructional activities, sports and intramural games.
Media Instruction Program
The Media Instruction Program (MIP) of the Katigbak Educational Media Center is more than just teaching students how to use the library. MIP provides instruction to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing, and using information and ideas. It is essential to help students acquire skills they will need to harness and use information for a productive and fulfilling life.
Special Programs
The school offers differentiated programs for specialized needs in Reading and Communication Arts. The Multi-dimensional Ateneo Gifted Intervention Scheme (MAGIS-Communication Arts and MAGIS-Math) program is offered for advancement to those who are gifted in Communication Arts or Math. Remedial Reading Programs such as the Prep Tracking and the Grade 1 Early Reading Intervention Program (ERIP) are meant to assist academically challenged students who require special attention. The SOAR (Summer Outreach for Remedial and Advancement) programs are conducted after the school year. These intervention programs are targeted at students who require remedial programs in core subjects such as Math, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan, Science, and Communication Arts. Participation is determined based on the student’s final marks in his subject.