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Lower
School

In the lower school years, students explore the fundamentals of social responsibility as they develop empathy and an understanding of identity, diversity, community, justice, and service. These fundamentals are applied on a broader scale in middle school as students extend previous learning to communities beyond their own.  At the upper school, students are ready to bring their voice and passion to learn, through action and experiences, how they can be advocates for change as they move into post-secondary citizenship.

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Social Justice Education in the Lower School

Hoboken Charter School fosters a learning environment prioritizing equity, inclusion, and advocacy. Social justice education is central to this mission, helping to cultivate a sense of fairness, empathy, and active citizenship among students from an early age. A unique aspect of the lower school program is its dedicated social justice read-aloud curriculum. This curriculum introduces students to diverse perspectives, historical injustices, and current social issues through carefully selected books and literature. The read-aloud curriculum is designed to spark meaningful discussions in the classroom, where students reflect on what they've learned and how it applies to their lives and communities.

 

Additionally, through field trips, welcoming guest speakers, and partnering with their peers through interage experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized groups, fostering empathy and a commitment to justice. Social justice isn't confined to the read-aloud curriculum alone. It is integrated across various subjects, including social studies, art, math, and science. This cross-disciplinary approach ensures that students understand the relevance of social justice in different contexts and can see its impact on all aspects of life. Focusing on social justice helps create an inclusive school environment where diversity is celebrated and all students feel valued. By understanding social justice issues, students learn to respect differences and work towards creating a community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

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Learner-Centered Education in the Lower School

Learner-centered education is a foundational aspect of Hoboken Charter School's lower school program, designed to cater to the unique needs, interests and learning styles of each student. This approach is central to how the school nurtures and develops its students. Students are more engaged when the material is relevant and challenging at their level. We firmly believe that giving students opportunities to take ownership of their learning and having a say in how they learn and what they learn about fosters independence and self-motivation starting at an early age. WIN time is a key component of the learner-centered approach at HCS. It is a dedicated period during the school day where lower school students receive individualized or small group support based on their specific needs. During WIN time, students can focus on areas where they need extra help or use this opportunity as time for enrichment.  Whether they are receiving one on one time with a teacher to review a skill with which they’re struggling, partaking in a group Orton Gillingham Multisensory reading instruction session, delving into a multi-disciplinary problem-based project or engaging in a collaborative STEM challenge, our lower school students feel empowered because they are given a  voice in their education. Teachers use WIN time to assess students’ progress in real-time, allowing them to adjust instruction and provide targeted interventions or extension work as needed. 

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Service-Learning in the Lower School

Service-learning is a fundamental component of Hoboken Charter School's lower school program, deeply integrated into its educational philosophy and curriculum. At HCS, we emphasize educating the whole child, including academic achievement and social, emotional, and ethical development. Service-learning supports this by fostering empathy, social responsibility, and community engagement among students. Through service-learning, students can connect classroom lessons with real-world issues, making learning more meaningful and relevant. It helps students understand the impact they can have on their community, reinforcing the idea that they can be agents of positive change. Engaging in service projects allows students to develop critical skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and leadership. These skills are essential for their future academic and personal success. Many of our service-learning projects involve collaboration with local organizations and the broader community. This helps strengthen the relationship between the school and its community and teaches students the importance of civic engagement. Service learning at Hoboken Charter School is not just an add-on to the curriculum; it is a vital part of thestudent's' educational experience, helping them grow as well-rounded individuals who are both knowledgeable and socially responsible.

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Interage Experiences in the Lower School

Interage experiences help build a strong, supportive school community. When students of different ages interact regularly, they develop a sense of belonging that extends beyond their immediate classroom. This sense of community is crucial so that our youngest students feel more connected to the school as a whole, knowing that they are part of a broader, caring community. Interage experiences encourage a growth mindset by showing students that learning and development are ongoing processes that can happen at any age. Students see that everyone, regardless of age, has something to learn and something to teach, reinforcing the idea that abilities can always be developed through effort and practice. Every Lower School class has a buddy class at our Upper School, meeting throughout the year to engage in a variety of fun activities in support of the school’s mission. 

Policies and Procedures

HCS prioritizes safety and well-being. Our policies ensure a positive learning environment. From behavior to safety, we have clear guidelines. Explore our comprehensive list of policies and guidelines.

Lower and Middle School

Policies and Guidelines

 Lower School Curriculum and Coursework

  • Columbia Teachers College Reading Workshop

  • Columbia Teachers College Writing Workshop

  • Math (Envisions as Primary resource text)

  • Science (TCI as primary resource text)

  • Social Studies

  • Service Learning

  • Social Justice

  • Character Education​

  • Art

  • Music

  • Physical Education

  • Health

  • Spanish

  • Phonics via Fundations (grades K-1)

  • Word Study/Spelling (grades 2-4)

  • Coding

  • Handwriting

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