Primary School (K-4)

She is discovered.

Empowered Girls

Learning to be a kind and considerate person is valued in the Primary School. Time is spent each day discussing respect, responsibility,  resilience, and kindness. Prime girls show high regard for themselves and others by:

  • listening to each other
  • working peacefully for a common goal
  • and treating each other as they would want to be treated.

At HB, an emphasis on positive female role models fosters an environment in which a girl's self-esteem and confidence in her own potential for success take center stage.

Notable Women

Positive role models are actualized with the longstanding Notable Women tradition. Fourth graders thoroughly research female business execs, Olympic athletes, scientists, and all-around trailblazers. Dressed in full costume at the annual reception, the girls fully embody the persona of their selected woman.

Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Sonja Henie
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Simone Biles
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Serena Williams
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Ruby Bridges
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Mae Jemison
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Amal Clooney
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Maya Angelou
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Shirley Chisolm
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Celia Cruz
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Michelle Obama
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Maya Lin
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Kamala Harris
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Beatrix Potter
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Maria Tallchief
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Ella Fitzgerald
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Indra Nooyi
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Clara Schumann
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Julia Child
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Sarojini Naidu
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Emma Watson
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Katherine Johnson
Hathaway Brown Primary School Notable Women - Amelia Earhart

Distinguished Academics

The Primary School provides a rich and well-developed curriculum. HB girls grow and thrive in small class sizes with an emphasis on developing a love of lifelong learning. A strong academic focus in fundamental skills and knowledge is complemented with an offering of specialty classes that enrich the learning experience.

HB girls are taught to be engaged and inquisitive participants in their own education.

Storyline

Hathaway Brown was the first in the region to adopt the innovative Storyline model — a knowledge-building method that uses story creation to build collaborative and creative problem-solving skills. Storyline:

  • is child-centered and allows unlimited opportunities for differentiation
  • enhances student engagement and decision making
  • begins with a student's previous experiences and layers new understanding through the process of constructing a story
  • encourages research, writing, and critical social skills to guide each unit 
  • and helps students make connections while gaining valuable insight.

This signature preparatory approach uses narrative as a framework to extend project-based learning and integrates every aspect of the Prime School curriculum. 

Curriculum

Want to try on the brown and gold? Visit our 16-acre campus in Shaker Heights where you can walk the halls, experience our distinguished academics, and meet students and teachers. In addition to parent previews, we offer campus tours with members of the Admission team. Learn more about the admission process.