Faculty from the University of Texas College of Education were the framers of UT Elementary’s charter. By design, UT Elementary was created to include special academic areas are called our Margin of Excellence Programs that were prioritized because research showed that offering more frequent access to these special academic areas affords students a more holistic and connected academic experience.
UT Elementary’s Margin of Excellence Programs are:
- Healthy Families Initiative
- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math)
- Music Programs (including Foundations, Orchestra, and Music Production)
- Spanish
- Social Emotional Learning
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Healthy Families Initiative
UT Elementary’s Healthy Families Initiative is revolutionizing health education by extending its reach beyond the traditional classroom. Through a community-wide approach, we’re empowering students and their families to embrace a healthier lifestyle. By creating an environment that fosters physical activity and well-being, we’re providing opportunities for everyone to experience the benefits firsthand. Our goal is to inspire a lifelong passion for health and wellness, creating a more vibrant and thriving community.
STEAM
The Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) Program at UT Elementary is designed to integrate various learning disciplines in order to teach students how to think critically, incorporate different levels of technology, and solve problems using the engineering design process to help the community. Students engage in hands-on, problem-based learning as they learn foundational skills such as: keyboarding, robotics, and block-based coding.
Music
Students experience a dynamic music curriculum through three key courses. In Music Foundations (Pre-K to 1st grade), children explore rhythm, pitch, and musical expression. In 2nd grade, students join the Orchestra, learning violin in partnership with UT’s String Project and the Musical Lives program. In 3rd through 5th grade, students can advance in Orchestra, learning violin, viola, cello, or bass, or dive into Music Production, where they compose and arrange music using ukulele, MIDI keyboards, and digital tools. UTES also offers afterschool music programs in Honor Orchestra and Accordion.
Spanish
The Spanish Program at UT Elementary is designed to support students in developing academic, social, and culturally relevant vocabulary as they obtain foundational skills toward further language acquisition. The class explores Latin History, art, and music while fostering a community of celebration for both native and non-native speakers.
Social Emotional Learning
UT Elementary was a pioneer in bringing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into the classroom and has been a national model. Research conducted in 2005 at The University of Texas at Austin was used as the roadmap for the implementation of SEL at UT Elementary. UT Elementary includes classroom instruction using evidence-based curriculum that creates a positive culture and school climate as well as provides adult competency skills.
