Core Curriculum
At PHPS, Kindergarten through 5th grade core academic instruction is designed around how students with learning differences learn best. Teachers combine explicit, systematic instruction with multisensory strategies, hands-on learning, and opportunities for repeated practice so students can strengthen foundational skills while continuing to engage with meaningful academic content.
Small-group instruction allows teachers to meet students at their current skill level, provide targeted remediation, and adjust instruction as students grow. The goal is not simply to help students complete today's work, but to develop the skills, strategies, and confidence they need to become increasingly independent learners.
Reading
90 minutes daily | Multisensory instruction | Targeted small groups
Reading instruction is at the heart of the PHPS academic program. Students receive 90 minutes of dedicated reading instruction each day using a multisensory, Orton-Gillingham-based approach to reading, phonics, word study, and spelling. Instruction is tailored to the needs of each learner, with opportunities for direct teaching, guided practice, and reinforcement.
Fluency and comprehension are practiced daily, helping students build both the accuracy and understanding necessary to become stronger readers. In grades 1–5, students are grouped by skill level, allowing teachers to provide targeted instruction and remediation based on individual learning needs.
Writing
Explicit writing instruction | Handwriting development | Creative & informational writing
Writing is taught through a structured, research-backed process that breaks a complex task into manageable steps. Students learn how to generate and organize ideas, develop their thinking, and communicate clearly through both creative and informational writing.
Handwriting instruction develops alongside written expression. In grades K–2, students receive daily handwriting practice with an emphasis on fine motor development using the Handwriting Without Tears program. In 3rd grade, students are introduced to cursive writing as they continue building fluency and confidence with written work.
Mathematics
Problem solving | Hands-on learning | Targeted small groups
Mathematics instruction emphasizes understanding, problem-solving, fact fluency, and flexible mathematical thinking. Our curriculum uses a spiral approach, revisiting concepts over time so students have repeated opportunities to practice, reinforce, and build upon previously learned skills.
Students are encouraged to explore multiple strategies for solving problems rather than relying on a single approach. Tactile manipulatives, visual supports, structured games, and hands-on activities make mathematical concepts more accessible and provide multiple pathways for students with dyscalculia and other learning differences.
Students are grouped by skill level for targeted instruction, allowing teachers to address areas of need while helping students continue to build confidence and mathematical independence.
Building strong foundations for increasingly independent learning.
Across reading, writing, and mathematics, PHPS students receive the explicit instruction and targeted support they need while developing strategies they can carry into increasingly complex academic work.