K-5 Program
Future-Ready Learning in Action
We offer a K-5 STEAM path with Spanish language infused throughout the day in specialist classes for second language exposure and acquisition for all grade levels
“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.”
- John Dewey
Program Highlights at a Glance
What Sets SF STEAM Academy Apart
Personalized Learning
Maximum of 16 students per class ensures individualized attention, meaningful engagement, and strong teacher-student relationships.
Spanish Language Acquisition
Spanish language is infused throughout the day in specialist classes for second language exposure and acquisition for all grade levels.
Full-Day Program
School day is from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
After-school program is available from
3:30 pm - 6:00 PM
The SF STEAM Academy Learning Model
Learning at SF STEAM Academy is active, multifaceted, and purpose-driven. Students engage in reading, writing, inventing, building, collaborating, and problem-solving through immersive experiences that blend analytical thinking with creativity. Our program cultivates innovation, resilience, and collaboration—preparing students to navigate and shape a rapidly changing world.
Academics: Shaping One's Knowledge
Themes and instructional approaches take off from education, psychology, social, cultural, and neuroscience learning research and theories, the constructivist philosophy with themes, tools, and strategies relevant to the 21st century.
Dynamic and Multifaceted
Learning is multifaceted and active. Students discover and explore knowledge while honing their skills through reading, writing, thinking, imagining, singing, dancing, exercising, listening, conversing, inventing, building, sharing, cooking, gardening, creating, and many other activities that engage and inspire their minds and strengthen their bodies.
Future-Ready
The learning program promotes analytical thinking, innovation, resilience, and collaboration. Students learn through discovery, exploration, problem-solving, and theory-building. By engaging in active, cooperative, and individualized learning, they understand what it takes to navigate and influence a rapidly changing 21st-century world.
Purposeful Learning to Make a Better World for All
Analytical and Creative
Essential questions and problem-solving challenges guide thematic modules. Students learn by collecting and making sense of information and inventing solutions.
Active
Social interactions, physical activities, experiments, creative explorations, inventive solutions, skill practice, and more fuel knowledge construction and skill building.
Deep-Dive
Using the Learning Helix, a learning model inspired by constructivism and the learning sciences, students participate in simple to complex multimodal learning activities across core academic subjects.
Spanish Language
Acquisition
With all grade levels, Spanish language is infused throughout the day in specialist classes for second language exposure and acquisition.
Multimodal and multi-sensory methods for learning languages—incorporating visual, auditory, kinesthetic, social, tactile, experiential, and collaborative elements—enhance retention, engagement, enjoyment, and the real-world application of language skills.
Social Emotional Learning
Weekly SEL classes include engaging simulations and discussions about emotions and strategies for fostering healthy social interactions. Students develop social-emotional skills to enhance self-awareness and confidence while building positive relationships with peers and adults.
Connections and Passions
Themes, topics, and real-world challenges resonate with students' interests and ignite curiosity, motivation, and a sense of purpose. Students are motivated to learn through real-world problem-solving, shaping ideas through applications that blend academics and creativity.
The Learning Helix
Academic Excellence in Real-World Contexts
Inspired by constructivist learning science, the Learning Helix model guides students through a progression of hands-on discovery, critical thinking, and creative application. Like a double helix, one strand represents the student’s curiosity, while the other represents intentional curriculum design. Together, they shape meaningful learning experiences that move from concrete exploration to abstract understanding and real-world impact.
The Learning Cycle:
Play – Engage and spark curiosity
Explore – Investigate and analyze
Connect – Apply learning to real-world challenges
Imagine – Design and build innovative solutions
Highlight – Reflect, abstract, and theorize
Afternoon Skills Classes
(3:30 PM - 6:00 PM)
Building Language and
Math Skills
LANGUAGES
English and Spanish
Reading, Writing, Speaking, Singing
MATHEMATICS
Adaptive Math Practice
Counting, Number Line, Base Ten, Equations and Operations, Measurement & Data, Sorting, Recognizing, and Building and Dividing Shapes
The Arts: Expressive Skills
MUSIC
Voice & Instrument Ensemble
Music Making with Songs and Rhythms
VISUAL ARTS
Elements of Art and Composition
Painting, Mixing Colors, Weaving, Mosaic,
Paper Folding, Mobiles, and more
PERFORMING ARTS
Puppetry, Dance, Poetic Renditions and more
Cultivating Life Skills
GARDENING
Seeds and Cuttings
Thematic Planting and Growing
FOOD MAKING
Harvesting and Cooking
Pizza Garden, Tea Garden, Beans and Peas, Broccoli and Greens
KINESTHETICS
Agility, Strength and Balance
Yoga, Gymnastics Floor Skills, Group Games, and more