South Hills Academy
West Covina · Est. 1957
Now Accepting 2026–2027 Applications — Scholarships for qualifying High School students & Sibling Discounts. Apply today
Home / Academics / Elementary
Elementary School

Curious, Capable, and Kind

K–5 students grow in academics, faith, and character — encouraged to explore, question, and think independently while feeling seen and supported.

Abeka CurriculumWeekly ChapelQuarterly Field Trips
K–5
Grades Served
From K
Spanish Begins
Daily
PE & Movement
Weekly
Chapel
5:30 PM
After-School Care

Christian-Based Excellence

A rigorous Abeka curriculum integrated with weekly chapel — preparing students for academic success and personal integrity.

Engaging Learning

Small classes, hands-on activities, and quarterly field trips turn every lesson into an adventure.

Thriving Community

Parents, teachers, and students collaborate closely — every child feels valued and inspired.

Core Subjects

What Your Child Will Learn

God's Word explored through weekly chapel and daily life — students learn how biblical principles guide decisions and friendships.

  • Old and New Testament Bible stories
  • Scripture memory verses
  • Christian character — honesty, kindness, and responsibility
  • Applying biblical truth to everyday choices and friendships

Strong reading, writing, and grammar through diverse books and texts — building the analytical thinking middle school demands.

  • Intensive Abeka phonics and fluent oral reading (K–2)
  • Reading comprehension across rich, varied texts
  • Spelling, vocabulary, and grammar
  • Penmanship — manuscript then cursive — and creative writing

Instruction tailored to each student so no one is lost or bored — building deep understanding and confidence.

  • Number sense, place value, and the four operations
  • Addition, subtraction, multiplication & division facts to mastery
  • Fractions, decimals, money, time, and measurement
  • Multi-step word problems and everyday reasoning

Hands-on exploration that ignites curiosity about the natural world while appreciating divine creation.

  • God's creation — plants, animals, and the human body
  • Health, earth science, weather, and space
  • Matter, energy, and simple machines
  • Observation, experiments, and the scientific method

The past made fun and interactive — because understanding history is the key to shaping a better future.

  • Family, community, and good citizenship in the early grades
  • American history and the people who shaped it
  • U.S. geography — states, capitals, and map skills
  • World cultures, connecting the past to today

Foreign language starts in kindergarten at SHA, not high school — Spanish continues through grade 12.

  • Everyday vocabulary — greetings, numbers, and colors
  • Listening and speaking with growing confidence
  • Reading and writing simple Spanish
  • A K–12 pathway that builds year after year

Creativity and craft — building skills and confidence through making.

  • Drawing, color, and composition
  • Painting, clay, and mixed-media projects
  • Art appreciation across cultures
  • Work showcased at school programs

Singing, rhythm, and the joy of performing together.

  • Singing, rhythm, and beginning music reading
  • Instruments and ensemble basics
  • Performances at the Christmas program and spring concert
  • Confidence on stage

Daily movement that builds healthy, active kids.

  • Fitness, coordination, and motor skills
  • Team sports and good sportsmanship
  • Cooperation, fair play, and healthy habits
  • Active play every day
New for 2026–27

AI & STEM Starts in Kindergarten

Our youngest students begin with LEGO robotics and block coding — building, testing, and solving problems as a team. It is the first step on a hands-on pathway that grows into drones, game design, and autonomous vehicles in the upper grades.

Explore AI & STEM
LEGO robotics in elementary
Beyond the Core

Electives & Enrichment

Music

Instruments, vocal techniques, and theory — showcased at the Christmas program and spring concert.

Art

Perspective drawing, contrast projects, and frequent clay work build creativity and foundational skills.

Daily PE

Fitness and teamwork through engaging daily activities and sports — building lifelong healthy habits.

After School

Homework help, extra English and math, plus cooking, sports, and more — Monday to Friday until 5:30 PM.

A Day at SHA

A Day in Elementary

The daily schedule for Grades 1–5 — from morning drop-off to after-school pickup.

Elementary · Grades K–5
8:00 – 9:35
School BeginsMorning classes · Periods 1–2
9:35 – 9:50
Recess
9:50 – 11:00
Morning ClassesReading, writing & math · Period 3
11:00 – 11:45
Lunch
11:50 – 1:20
Afternoon ClassesScience, history & Spanish · Periods 4–5
1:20 – 1:40
Afternoon Break
1:40 – 3:10
Afternoon ClassesMusic, art & daily PE · Periods 6–7
3:10
Dismissal
3:10 – 5:30
After-School CareHomework help, extra English & math, sports, enrichment
Elementary · Grades K–5
8:00 – 8:30
School BeginsPeriod 1
8:30 – 9:00
ChapelWhole-school worship & devotion
9:00 – 9:45
Morning ClassesPeriod 2
9:45 – 10:00
Recess
10:05 – 11:00
Morning ClassesReading, writing & math · Period 3
11:00 – 11:45
Lunch
11:45 – 1:45
Afternoon ClassesScience, history, Spanish, music & art · Periods 4–7
1:45 – 2:00
HomeroomClass meeting & wrap-up
2:00
Dismissal
2:00 – 5:30
After-School CareHomework help, extra English & math, sports, enrichment

Kindergarten follows a similar rhythm, finishing at 2:50 PM (earlier on Wednesdays).

See an Elementary Classroom in Action

Tour the campus or book a shadow day for your child.

Get In Touch

Request Information

We're offering Scholarships for qualifying High School students and Sibling Discounts — ask us how to apply.

We respond within one business day. Prefer to talk? Call +1 (626) 919-2000 or email admissions@shacademy.org.

Ready to visit South Hills?Book a campus tour or start your application — we'll take it from there.