Pilgrim Rest Curriculum (2024)

Inclusive Excellence

We believe students should see themselves reflected in the curriculum to validate their identities, experiences, and contributions.

• We will incorporate diverse perspectives, histories, and voices into all subject areas, ensuring that students encounter a wide range of cultural backgrounds, experiences, and narratives.
• Literature, textbooks, and instructional materials will include authors from diverse backgrounds and feature characters of various ethnicities, genders, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Classroom discussions and activities will provide opportunities for students to share their own cultural backgrounds, traditions, and stories, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among all students.
• Project Based learning and inquiry based activities will allow students to explore topics of personal relevance and interest, encouraging them to draw connections between their experiences and the broader world.

Learn to Love Music

Pre-Kindergarten
Regular music classes built on music and sound exploration through a variety of styles and cultures as they start building beginning music literacy. Students will perform at the end of the year.

Kindergarten & 1st Grade
Formative education focused on building music literacy and vocal technique using early-education jazz pedagogy. Curriculum will integrate ELA and math standards. Students will showcase their learning at the end of each semester.

2nd Grade
Regular instrumental instruction on the violin with contemporary repertoire. Students will begin exploring instrument care and maintenance as they delve into accessible popular music and jazz standards, performing at the end of each semester.

3rd & 4th Grade
Each grade will play either a string instrument (violin, viola, cello) or sing in a choir, alternating by semester. Diverse repertoire will focus on styles throughout history. Each student will engage in regular group lessons semi-weekly, and perform at the end of each quarter.

5th Grade
Students will explore the art of song-writing, producing, and theater throughout the year with an instrument focus of their choice. They will collaborate on a fall class album and a spring theatrical performance while taking weekly, 1:1 lessons in preparation for their elementary capstone.

Elementary Capstone
All students will be expected to demonstrate their elementary music education by the end of 5th grade in the form of a small recital, an album/EP, a theatrical performance, or another format suggested by the student. Students will have complete artistic liberties with their capstones in order to celebrate and express their identities as young musicians.

6th, 7th & 8th Grade
Students will elect to pursue either an orchestral or vocal track each year, participating in ensembles teaching them to analyze and articulate multiculturalism and artistic expression. Students will continue taking weekly, 1:1 lessons and have concerts at the end of each quarter that range in style and purpose.

Middle School Capstone
Similar to their elementary capstones, students will spend their last semester preparing a creative project that demonstrates their middle school music education. This can include recitals, albums, and theatrical works, but is expected to scale appropriately with each student’s skillset.

Community Engagement
All students are expected to enjoy monthly performances from community musicians, both on- and off-campus. Artists will provide curriculum-relevant pedagogy and celebrate cultures from around the community.

The Art of Learning

Students willparticipate in art weekly in a dedicated art space with a focus on learning a wide variety of art mediums and techniques. Lessons are connected to core content taught in classes and are designed toprovide students with a comprehensive and diverse exploration of art and artists of color, fostering cultural appreciation, creativity, and social awareness.

Becoming an Artist

Our curriculum provides students with a comprehensive and diverse exploration of art and artists of color, fostering cultural appreciation, creativity, and social awareness.