Grade 3 - 5
Growing Independent Thinkers, Leaders & Learners
At Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School, the intermediate years are a powerful season of growth as students develop increasing confidence, independence, responsibility, and ownership of their learning.
During grades 3–5, students strengthen foundational academic skills while expanding their ability to think critically, collaborate meaningfully, communicate effectively, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
Our Intermediate Program is intentionally designed to bridge the transition from primary learning into the increased rigor and independence of middle school. Alongside strong academics, students begin developing executive functioning skills including organization, time management, note-taking, self-advocacy, planning, and independent learning strategies that prepare them for long-term success.
Through rigorous academics, hands-on learning, leadership opportunities, faith formation, and strong social-emotional support, students build the confidence and skills needed to thrive in increasingly complex learning environments.
At OLL, we intentionally combine:
- Strong literacy and humanities instruction
- Explicit grammar and handwriting instruction
- Inquiry-based and project-driven learning
- Hands-on science
- Conceptual math instruction and problem-solving
- Executive functioning and independent learning skills
- Faith formation and Catholic Social Teaching
- Leadership and service opportunities
Students are encouraged to ask questions, think deeply, take academic risks, collaborate with peers, and actively contribute to the OLL community.
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3rd Grade
Building Independence & Academic Confidence
Third grade is a year of tremendous growth as students begin transitioning from learning foundational skills to applying those skills with increasing independence, confidence, and critical thinking.
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4th Grade
Deepening Critical Thinking
Fourth grade at OLL is a highly engaging year focused on critical thinking, environmental education, collaboration, and growing student responsibility.
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5th Grade
Preparing for Leadership & Middle School
Fifth grade is an important transition year where students continue building academic independence, leadership skills, executive functioning habits, and confidence as they prepare for middle school.
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Specialists & Academic Enrichment
Intermediate students continue learning from specialist teachers who enrich the student experience through:
- Art
- Music
- Physical Education
- Spanish
- Technology & STEM integration
- Outdoor education
- Faith formation
- Leadership and service opportunities
These experiences help students continue developing creativity, collaboration, curiosity, confidence, and joyful engagement in learning.