Program Summary

Early Childhood
Students in our Early Childhood program have a unique opportunity to
participate in Lower, Middle and Upper School events as they prepare for the
academic challenges to come at Portledge. They quickly learn that they are part of the Portledge community as a whole as they join weekly Lower School assemblies, visit the Middle and Upper Schools on special occasions, and meet with themusic, art, computer, drama and gym teachers for instruction. French is added when they enter Kindergarten.

In the Pre-Nursery program, children are guided by trained early childhood faculty. Children spend the morning playing with age-appropriate materials selected to reinforce learning by discovery. The student-teacher ratio in the Pre-Nursery is 5 to 1. The program runs from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

In Nursery and Pre-kindergarten, the children develop independence, explore reading and writing readiness materials, use computers, create art projects, and participate in music, library and physical education classes. The student-teacher ratio in the Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten is typically 8 to 1. The nursery program begins at 8:30 a.m. and continues until 12 noon. Pre-Kindergarten continues with optional afternoon programs until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and ends at noon on Friday. Parents provide lunch and transportation home.In the full day Kindergarten program, the children further develop the foundation for reading, writing and arithmetic and attend classes with specialists in art, computers, French, library, music, drama and physical education. On average the student-teacher ratio in Kindergarten is 12 to 1. This class meets from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Lower School - Grades 1 through 5
Building further on our Early Childhood program, laboratory science is added to the curriculum in 1st Grade. Chicks are hatched, the stars are studied, animal tracks in the snow of our beautiful grounds are observed and documented during nature hikes, rockets soar, and sharks are dissected in our 1st through 5th grade science classes. In computer class, 1st Grade creates a newspaper and 5th Grade hones spreadsheet skills in a stock market competition. Art classes take field trips to museums and studios while learning to appreciate and create works of art. 3rd Graders play recorders, 4th Graders star in the Lower School holiday musical, and 4th and 5th Graders add instrumental music instruction to their ongoing music curriculum.

Children in the Lower School, Grades 1 through 5, learn in a traditional, contained classroom setting and concentrate on reading, writing and arithmetic. Specialists in art, drama, computer, French, library, music, drama and physical education continue to teach their programs on a regular basis. Laboratory science with a science specialist begins in grade one and continues through grade five. Separate advanced and regular sections in mathematics are offered in grade five. Letter grading and examinations begin in the fifth grade as well. Fifth grade joins the sixth grade in the Middle School for team sports. more information

Middle and Upper Schools – Grades 6 through 12
While pursuing the academic excellence that is both expected and admired here, Middle and Upper Schoolers participate in art, music, athletics and community service. Wonderful student artwork from media, photography and studio classes is displayed in the halls and our bands, choruses, orchestras, and music ensembles are always hard at work improving their skills. Media and Journalism elective courses provide a solid base for the students who produce the newspaper, yearbook and literary magazine. Mock Trial team members work on their case at every available moment. Soccer games, tennis matches, basketball games, fencing meets, hockey games, squash meets, baseball games, cross country meets and lacrosse games include all who want to learn to play and lead to some wins, some losses, some tournaments, some championships, and the significant feeling of belonging that is such an integral part of the Portledge experience. Juniors begin the college search and Seniors file their college applications with individual guidance and support from our college counselor. The former graduates who return to Portledge on graduation day each year are a testament to the quality and value of the Portledge experience.

In the Middle School students build upon the skills and concepts introduced in the Lower School. Specialists in each discipline provide active programs designed to meet the needs of students during these years. Structure and individualized attention are provided through an advisor system. Beginning in sixth grade all students are required to own a laptop computer. In addition to a required team sports program, there are several extended field trips and a drama production. Lower and Middle School studies are designed to provide students with the strong foundation necessary for success in the college preparatory program in the Upper School. more information

Upper School requirements include four years of English, four years of mathematics, three years of lab science, three years of history, two years of foreign language, one year of arts, computer science literacy, public speaking and health. Upper Schoolers have access to regular, accelerated and advanced placement courses. A full arts program features studio and performing opportunities. Upper School students are required to own a laptop computer A strong advisor program complements this basic structure. Activities in the Upper School include student publication, student government, required community service, and various class trips. An extensive interscholastic athletic program includes soccer, cross country, tennis, basketball, fencing, ice hockey, squash, baseball, golf and lacrosse. more information