The Primary Programme provides a caring and inspiring educational environment in which the youngest members of the Ladela community are encouraged to discover the joy of learning. Interdisciplinary methods of teaching and learning traditional core subjects such as English, math, science, and history are stressed. Teachers in this programme work together, in a flexible schedule, and collaborate on lesson plans to ensure that each day is filled with discovery and adventure in learning.

A Primary class consists of approximately 20 pupils who come from different homes and backgrounds. Upon arrival at the Ladela, pupils become part of an “Academy family,” — a teacher and a group of about ten pupils. These families meet every day, often eat lunch together, and remain a close-knit group all year. Families join together to form “pods,” “Houses.”

The Primary programme  is based upon devoting each class period to a specific subject. Teachers collaborate and decide how to structure each day, incorporating information and skills pupils need to learn into a flexible schedule.

The Primary programme replaces traditional number, letter, and effort grades with extensive written evaluations of pupils performance and attitudes. Each member of the teaching team monitors and reports on the overall progress of the ten or eleven members of his or her academic “family,” informed by notes and comments from the other members of the team. Teachers meet in teams to review performance. Narrative reports are mailed home three times a year, and parent conferences provide progress reports on pupils.