Academics
Arbor Heights Academic Overview
At Arbor Heights, we offer a comprehensive elementary experience for students in grades PreK–5.
In addition to our grade-level classroom educators, we have specialist educators.
- 1 Art
- 2 Physical Education
- 1 General Music
- 1 Instrumental Music
- 1 Librarian/Media
We use a variety of evidence-based curriculum resources including:
- Emerge! Literacy
- enVision Math
- Amplify Science
- Since Time Immemorial (part of Social Studies)
Field trips, outdoor experiences, IDEA Lab projects, robotics, Explorations Days, and gardening round out the Arbor Heights experience.
Balanced Literacy
Following a comprehensive review of three high-quality curriculum programs, in the spring of 2026 the SPS adoption committee recommended McGraw Hill’s Emerge!, which was formally approved by the Seattle School Board for a seven-year adoption.
Emerge! was selected for its strong alignment with the science of reading, with a structured literacy approach that develops foundational skills while also strengthening language comprehension. The adoption committee highlighted the curriculum’s integrated design for reading and writing, flexible supports to meet the diverse needs of learners, and a thoughtful commitment to culturally responsive topics and inclusive authorship across grade levels.
Math
enVision Mathematics is the K-8 math curriculum used by Seattle Public Schools. Realize is the online platform where students can access digital math materials and assignments. Realize can be accessed through the Clever app on student iPads or laptops. You can also access Clever and tech support at the Student & Family Portal.
Physical Education
Arbor Heights is committed to providing a quality Physical Education program that builds knowledge, fitness, movement skills, social well-being, and confidence so all students can enjoy a healthy active lifestyle. Arbor Heights Physical Education (P.E.) is a success-oriented program, having students focus on what they can do as opposed to what others can do. Students work to improve their own skill level at their own pace. We focus on specific fitness activities when students are in P.E.
K–2 students work daily on their fitness activities. Grades 3–5 students begin the year with a fitness assessment. The areas we assess are muscular strength (push up), muscular endurance (curl up), flexibility (sit and reach), and cardio respiratory endurance (shuttle run). Students conference with the P.E. teacher to set goals in each area. In May, we assess again to see if we reached our goals. P.E. uses developmentally appropriate progressive motor skills K–5. In addition, team, individual, and lifetime activities that build the habit of an active lifestyle are used. The P.E. environment helps improve social relationships and emotional well-being through active engagement in physical activity.
Social Studies
Students receive instruction in Social Studies that aligns with our Washington State Standards. Concepts build upon one another as students progress through the grades. Since Time Immemorial (STI) is built into the curriculum.
Kindergarten
Unit: Building a Classroom Community
First Grade
Unit: Our Families & Families Around the World
Second Grade
Unit: Communities
Third Grade
Unit: Community Problem Solving
Fourth Grade
Unit: WA State History and Pacific NW Coast Native Americans
Fifth Grade
Unit: United States History, including Geography and Geology
Special Education
At Arbor Heights, we offer a continuum of special education services with three tiers of support:
- Resource
- Extended Resource
- Focus
In addition to special education teachers and instructional assistants, our students often work with occupational and physical therapists and speech-language pathologists, depending on each child’s unique set of needs.
Our special education students, regardless of their program placement, have access to their general education peers and curriculum, as appropriate. We value the diversity that inclusion brings to our community.
Resource
The resource room serves students with mild-to-moderate learning and social challenges. These students receive specially designed instruction (SDI) and modifications to help them keep up with grade-level expectations and individual IEP goals. SDI is provided in both the special education setting and in the child’s general education classroom, according to their IEP.
Extended Resource
The Ext Res program serves students with academic, social, and motor-skill challenges that need more intensive support than the Resource Room. Students spend a majority of their day in their general education classroom, both with and without support from the special education staff.
Focus
Our Focus classrooms serve students with a variety of challenges—academic, social skills, motor skills, self-help, and communication—who benefit from the high staff-to-student ratio and small class size. These students participate with their general education peers during portions of the day during specialist classes such as PE, Art, and Music.
Learn more about Special Education Services at Seattle Public Schools.
Technology Resources
The following resources are available for student use at Arbor Heights:
- Chromebook carts
- iPads and laptops for each student
Visual Arts
Our Visual Arts program encompasses the study of both Visual and Performing Arts. Throughout the week, all students in grades PreK–5 attend a specialized class with our Visual Art Specialist.
Students are introduced to the seven elements of art beginning in kindergarten and progresses in-depth at each grade level. Students work with various art mediums, learn about different artists, and discover how art teaches us about our world.
We showcase student artwork throughout the school and every student adds to their personal art portfolio.