Elementary
Elementary School is offered to 1st-5th grade learners on both the North and South campuses.
Overview
English
Language
Arts
In elementary school, teachers focus on developing strong foundational literacy skills by implementing a combination of whole class and small group instruction in a structured literacy model that teaches decoding, language comprehension, and reading comprehension.
Learners engage with complex, rigorous, and diverse texts designed to broaden their knowledge of the world and develop the critical thinking and analytical reading comprehension skills necessary to become deep thinkers and avid readers.
Writing instruction in the elementary grades includes text-based responses, writing to learn, and creative writing. Students practice writing in various formats and for different purposes, fostering their ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively.
Mathematics
Curriculum
At Bullis Charter School, the math curriculum is designed to build deeper levels of conceptual understanding through open-ended problem-solving tasks that link mathematics to everyday situations. Hands-on activities and mathematical exploration are included to provide the practice necessary to develop arithmetic skills.
Assessment data determines appropriate course placement, ensuring each learner is challenged and supported to progress at their own pace.
Science
Curriculum
Science at BCS is not merely a subject; it is an immersive experience. Fun, engaging, and hands-on projects form the basis of our science education approach.
History/Social
Studies
Elementary students gain cultural knowledge and understanding through the BCS history/social studies curriculum. They also learn about democracy and civic values from both a local and global perspective. Using both a textbook and project-based learning, learners engage in activities that ensure their understanding of the interconnectedness of communities and their environments.​
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Visual &
Performing
Arts
Visual and Performing Arts are integrated into all grades fulfilling Bullis Charter School’s vision to build innovative educational programs that enrich the academic experience and inspire the individual student.
Visual & Performing Arts instruction in drama, art, and music is offered weekly. The arts are also integrated across instructional content through project-based learning. In addition, co-curricular and extracurricular classes are also offered.
Physical
Education
All learners participate in an equitable and inclusive Physical Education (P.E.) curriculum that emphasizes the five components of health-related fitness:
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• Muscular Strength
• Muscular Endurance
• Cardiovascular Endurance
• Body Composition
• Flexibility
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Both traditional and non-traditional sports are offered including lacrosse, frisbee golf, badminton, archery and golf. P.E. is also integrated into other subject areas through project-based learning initiatives.
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Co-Curricular
Courses
Co-curriculars at BCS are designed to ignite student curiosity and promote engagement. They enable learners to grow academically, socially, and emotionally as they develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they will use throughout high school, college, and their careers.​ All learners in grades 1-5 enroll in two mixed-grade-level co-curricular courses each
semester in Visual and Performing Art, Math/Science/Technology, and Global Citizenship. These standards-based courses may include such subjects as Student Council, Broadway Dance, American Sign Language, Art and Garden Club, Improv 101, and Eco-Champions. Additional subjects are continually added to the curriculum.
Any child may enroll in Bullis Charter School at any age-appropriate grade.
Applying for enrollment can be done year-round but applications submitted during the open enrollment period receive enrollment priority. If there are more students interested than there are spots available in a grade, then, by law, a random public lottery determines who is admitted and placed on the waitlist. While most spots are filled in the spring and summer months of the school year prior, there are occasions where enrollment offers are extended to those on the waitlist after school has begun in the fall.