Reading, speaking and writing skills are taught through a variety of strategies including guided reading, oral and written projects and presentations, author studies, and studies of age-appropriate classic and contemporary literature. Students also receive specific skill instruction in handwriting, spelling, vocabulary and phonics.

In the upper grades, students read a wide variety of genres including drama, short story, poetry, memoir, historical fiction and biography. Emphasis is placed on developing different writing styles through purposeful and meaningful assignments, which include research and reports. Many types of writing are taught including expository, descriptive, persuasive, cause and effect, and book reviews.