Inquiry-based learning shines in our Elementary program.
Hollywood Schoolhouse embraces an inquiry-based learning approach in which organized units of study harness children’s natural curiosity. Student questions and wonderings drive the learning process, while educators guide them in building strong foundational skills and developing a deep, purposeful understanding of each topic. This learning extends beyond the classroom, as students apply their knowledge to real-world issues and challenges. We cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and a genuine commitment to understanding and improving the world around them.
Lower Elementary (K–2nd)
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Lower Elementary (K–2nd)
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Lower Elementary (K–2nd) • Lower Elementary (K–2nd) •
Hands-on from 1 to 100.
Our young Math learners use the Singapore Math in Focus approach, a concrete to abstract progression building understanding with hands-on tools such as ten frames, Unifix cubes, and number stories to strengthen number sense with confidence and joy. Throughout, students explain their thinking, experiment with strategies, and apply their learning to real-world challenges, developing the reasoning skills and mathematical resilience they will rely on for the rest of their lives.
Reading, writing, communicating.
In Language Arts, young readers and writers grow their voices through phonics, storytelling, and rich literature. In the early years, we use the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness curriculum to build the foundational skills necessary for reading success. Through systematic activities that focus on identifying, blending, and manipulating sounds, students develop strong phonics skills to decode words, build fluency, and foster confidence. Younger students begin with sound play, rhyming, and sight words, while older students dive into chapter books, exploring literary themes, structure, and character development. Writer’s Workshop encourages creative expression, grammar lessons build clarity and precision, and literature circles spark deep discussion. Students learn to read with curiosity and write with purpose, developing the tools to express themselves thoughtfully and effectively.
From self to the world.
Social Studies at Hollywood Schoolhouse begins with self-awareness and gradually expands toward a nuanced understanding of the wider world. As they progress, students engage in inquiry-driven investigations of historical events, cultural traditions, and contemporary issues, developing research skills, perspective-taking, and critical analysis. They learn to connect personal experiences to broader societal structures, becoming active and informed citizens who can contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.
Little learners, big discoveries.
In Science, K–2 students develop curiosity, problem-solving skills, and scientific thinking through hands-on exploration. Guided by the Next Generation Science Standards, each unit encourages questioning, experimentation, and reflection, helping students understand and begin to shape the world around them.
Understanding our hearts and minds.
Social-emotional learning at Hollywood Schoolhouse is central to every K–2 classroom. Using the Character Strong curriculum and Restorative Practices, students develop kindness, courage, and empathy while learning to repair relationships and strengthen community bonds. Lower Elementary students build emotional awareness and practice empathy through morning meetings, mindfulness, and role-play. Across all grades, our program fosters thoughtful, compassionate learners who care for themselves, their peers, and the world around them.
Upper Elementary (3rd–6th)
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Upper Elementary (3rd–6th)
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Upper Elementary (3rd–6th) • Upper Elementary (3rd–6th) •
Building fluency & problem-solving every day.
Upper Elementary Mathematics continues using Math in Focus, a Singapore Math approach that develops deep conceptual understanding of mathematical concepts. 3rd Graders tackle multiplication, division, and large numbers using bar models and collaborative problem-solving. 4th Graders explore place value, multi-digit operations, and the logic behind multiplication and division. 5th Graders tackle long division, fraction operations, and the order of operations with confidence, while 6th Graders investigate ratios, percentages, and negative numbers. Students see math as a way to define problems, test ideas, and solve challenges with clarity and creativity.
Critical thinking on and off the page.
Language Arts in 3rd–6th Grade nurtures strong readers and thoughtful writers. Students engage with novels like El Deafo, Esperanza Rising, and Look Both Ways, analyzing literary elements, diverse perspectives, and storytelling techniques. Using the Readers and Writers Workshop approach, students build skills through guided mini lessons, independent reading and writing, and opportunities to confer with teachers and peers, while grammar and vocabulary lessons, using Sadlier Grammar and Words Their Way, sharpens their clarity and style. Cross-curricular projects such as the University of Michigan’s, Place Out Of Time and Earth Odyssey’s project, connect literature to history, demonstrating how stories inspire reflection, connection, and personal voice.
Historical thinking and perspective.
Social Studies deepens historical understanding, geography, and perspective-taking. In 3rd Grade, students explore the lives of the Tongva people, Los Angeles government systems, and economic concepts, brought to life through immersive, real-world simulations and project-based learning. Using the TCI History Alive! Curriculum, 4th Graders study the history of California, including the histories, cultures, and stewardship of Indigenous peoples, with a trip to the Living Desert and Indian Canyons. 5th Graders examine colonization, the American Revolution, and often-overlooked voices in history, while 6th Graders study ancient civilizations and belief systems, connecting past and present through creative, inquiry-driven projects. Each unit cultivates critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and global awareness.
Inquiry, exploration, and discovery.
Science at Hollywood Schoolhouse uses Mystery Science to spark curiosity and hands-on investigation. Students examine topics from waves, volcanoes, and chemical reactions to ecosystems and planetary science. In 3rd Grade, learners explore fossils, environmental change, and interdependent systems, documenting findings in digital journals and conducting experiments that test their theories. Field trips, experiments, and cross-disciplinary projects make learning active and relevant, culminating in opportunities like a Shark Tank–style invention challenge in 6th Grade. Our students’ science learning culminates in the annual Maker’s Fair, where young inventors shine as they conceptualize and create solutions to today’s problems and analyze, investigate, hypothesize, and experiment to test their creations. Curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking guide every scientific exploration.
Developing compassionate leaders.
As students mature, so does their social-emotional growth. In 3rd Grade, they begin to use the Zones of Regulation to reflect on fairness, justice, and responsible decision-making. Using the Character Strong curriculum and Restorative Practices, 4th Graders develop empathy, responsibility, and goal-setting skills through identity webs, restorative conversations, and community-building activities. 5th Graders refine focus, time management, and leadership while deepening friendships and practicing accountability within their classroom community. By 6th Grade, students lead with kindness, navigating academic and emotional challenges with independence and thoughtfulness. Social-emotional learning continues to anchor their growth, shaping compassionate, reflective leaders who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Beyond the core curriculum
At Hollywood Schoolhouse, learning extends far beyond academics. Students participate in enrichment classes, including Library, Art, Spanish, PE, Music, Performance, and Technology, where creativity, movement, and hands-on exploration thrive. Schoolwide traditions, including Morning Meet-Ups and the Talent Show, foster community and belonging. Through service-learning initiatives, student-led fundraisers, and local partnerships, our learners develop a deep understanding of empathy, responsibility, and civic engagement.