Primary School Experience

In the CID Virginia J. Browning Primary School, children ages 5–12 are individually assessed and grouped by their learning needs in each subject area. Students maintain a daily schedule similar to general education elementary school settings, working with one or more teachers each day across academic areas. Daily subjects include language, speech and listening skills, reading, writing, math and social studies. Every classroom is thoughtfully equipped to foster unlimited interactive learning opportunities for children.

The CID primary school is directed by a master coordinating educator who works with the other teachers to continually review and revise each child’s educational program. The student–teacher ratio is better than 5–1. Using formal assessments, individual IEP goals, daily language sampling and lesson reflection, the teachers stay attuned to each child’s skills and pursue precise educational goals. Flexible scheduling enables them to quickly adjust educational objectives and procedures to foster the most possible progress for each child.

The students work hard, have fun and experience success. Each time they master a learning objective they build confidence and tenacity to take on new goals. Special classes in art, music, media literacy and social skills are included in each student’s weekly schedule. They go on educational field trips in the St. Louis community two or three times a year.

Preparing students for general education involves increased levels of independence. This includes studying and homework follow-through, knowledge of school materials and routines and knowing how actively participate and work collaboratively with peers in group discussions and projects.

A TYPICAL DAY IN PRIMARY

Reading
Reading is highly correlated with success in school and success in life. Students receive direct instruction in the five key components at the core of effective reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. CID implements a comprehensive, evidence-based reading curriculum designed to present structured, sequential and cumulative opportunities for learning and practicing essential foundational reading skills. Our reading curriculum is focused to provide strong support to students acquiring language in a nontraditional way.

Language
Our teachers facilitate language development in structured classroom settings through both academic and experiential learning opportunities. Lessons are targeted to explicitly teach syntax skills to small groups using the students’ individual IEP goals and our comprehensive Teacher Assessment of Grammatical Structures (TAGS) rating form. Teachers use age-appropriate games and activities to promote language development.

Speech & Auditory Training
Students work in groups of 1 or 2 for targeted practice to continue to develop individualized speech and listening skills. Emphasis is also placed on skills related to self-advocacy, conversation repair and real-world listening.

PE & Special Activities
Similar to the general education setting, CID primary students participate in special classes and activities to enhance their school experience. They engage in art, music, library, physical education, media literacy and social skills in larger groups to promote creativity, fitness, sportsmanship, cooperative learning and problem solving.

Lunch & Recess
Washington University School of Medicine graduate students working on their master’s or doctoral degrees in deaf education or audiology supervise the CID students at lunch and recess. Recess activities take place on CID’s private, state-of-the-art playground, adjacent field or gym. Nearby Forest Park also offers a variety of playgrounds, playing fields and natural settings to explore.

Math
CID math classes follow the same general education curriculum used by many school districts in the St. Louis area. Math skills are introduced and taught using a hands-on approach concentrating on critical thinking skills, language and vocabulary. Math instruction is based on grade-level Missouri Learning Standards.

Content (Science/Social Studies)
Missouri Learning Standards and commercial curricula determine student objectives for teaching grade-level academic content. Units of study focus on teaching the students to learn new information and vocabulary within units/chapters and then use it to express their understanding of taught concepts.

After School Activities
After school activities are often a casual extension of a child’s language and social skills practice at the end of the school day. Tennis, pickleball, ukulele and Lego classes have been offered as opportunities to promote student growth and confidence in their areas of interest.