The Christian Elementary School Experience at ICS
1st Grade - 5th Grade
ICS is a Christian Elementary School that helps students build strong academic foundations, grow in confidence, and begin to understand who God created them to be. As a private Christian elementary school in the Salt Lake City area, ICS serves families who want strong academics, small class sizes, and a school culture that aligns with values at home.
Why Families Choose ICS During the Elementary Years
Families often choose ICS during the elementary years because they want to lay a Christian foundation in a loving, attentive environment. We prioritize strong foundations in reading, writing, and math, using proven methods informed by the latest research in the science of reading. Our goal is to help students meet high academic standards, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
Our small class sizes and attentive teachers help each student feel known, supported, and challenged during these important years.
Safe and caring atmosphere
9:1 student-to-teacher ratio
School culture aligns with values at home
Have an Early Learner?
For children from ages 4-5 years old, explore Prekindergarten at ICS.
To learn how students prepare for 1st grade, explore Kindergarten at ICS.
Helping Children Thrive at School
ICS students meet, and often exceed, the Utah Core Standards in academics. Your child will engage in math, science, language arts, and social studies while also learning about the Bible and growing in character.
For students who need additional reading support, we have an interventionist available to provide individualized assistance. Students are also introduced to technology in thoughtful ways, with each child assigned an individual Chromebook to support learning.
“Intermountain Christian School believes teaching is rooted in the understanding that all students are created in God’s image and are uniquely gifted. In my 30+ years of teaching at ICS I have seen instruction that is engaging and differentiated in a way that challenges and enables all students to succeed, no matter the age.”
Thriving
Academics
Academically, we prioritize solid fundamentals in reading, writing, and math.
Laying a Strong Foundation
Academically, we prioritize solid fundamentals in reading, writing, and math. While many students across Utah are falling behind in reading, ICS has built a culture of literacy and excellence in reading that is producing standardized test scores above state averages.
Our teachers and administrators evaluate what is working, study the latest research, and pursue effective instructional approaches that help students learn at or beyond grade level. We aim to provide appropriately challenging academic standards so children build both competence and confidence for a life of learning.
We Value Individualized Attention
Elementary-age students thrive with personalized attention, which is why we keep class sizes small and hire attentive, discerning teachers. ICS has a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, though elementary class sizes vary from 12 to 25 students per grade.
Teachers know their students well and partner with parents to support academic growth, character development, and classroom confidence.
“My child is always seen and known at ICS. He is a valued member of his class and the school. The teachers challenge him and encourage him to push himself. He knows God! He speaks to Him and trusts Him, and ICS encourages that loving relationship.”
Supporting Students Through the Learning Lab
A Learning Lab has recently been added in the elementary hallway to help students catch up or allow above-grade-level students to engage in advanced curriculum. The Learning Lab is a place for one-on-one tutoring, reading intervention, individual coursework, and more.
This kind of individualized attention during the elementary years helps build confidence and a love of learning in every student.
How We Prepare Students for Middle School
By the end of 5th grade, students are building the habits they need for middle school as they learn to set goals, track assignments and grades, grow in perseverance, and build the reading and writing stamina needed for greater challenge. They are also developing life skills like organization, financial literacy, collaboration, conflict resolution, independence, and service.
Faith-Integrating Christ-Centered Learning
Beyond Bible class, we view every academic discipline through the lens of Scripture. Faith-integration is a core value of ICS, as we aim to help students integrate their faith into every part of their views.
Additionally, school-wide service projects each semester, weekly chapel, small groups, and class prayer times all help support students spiritually.
“My son is loved by the community and is growing in his relationship with Jesus, all while his natural curiosity is becoming more and more unleashed.”
Elementary Core Subjects and Specials
Core Classes
Bible
Math
Language Arts
Science
Social Studies
Specials
STEM (PreK–5)
Library (PreK–5)
Art (1–5)
PE (K–5)
Music (PreK–5)
Spanish (K–5)
Weekly Chapel
Extracurriculars and Clubs
Popular options include STEM Club, dance, basketball, soccer, flag football, worship team, and ESLT. These opportunities give students more ways to build friendships, try new things, and develop their gifts outside the core classroom experience.
The Elementary Experience at ICS
Everything we do is designed to help your child thrive academically, socially, spiritually, and relationally. We believe learning happens best when students are highly engaged, build on prior knowledge, and form strong relationships with teachers and peers.
A Safe Place to Grow Up
We cultivate a secure, caring atmosphere that feels more like a family than just a school. Parents get to know teachers and administrators, classroom behavior is proactively guided from a Christ-centered perspective, and the school culture aligns with values at home.
We also have state-of-the-art security systems in place and prioritize the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of our students.
Faith and Character Formation
The entire elementary experience at ICS is meant to lay an early Christian foundation. Because our faculty and staff show evidence of a genuine Christian life, students have the opportunity to hear the gospel in every part of the school day, not only in chapel or Bible class.
Behavioral initiatives and a consistent disciplinary approach help cultivate a loving, stable environment where each child is cared for by teachers and peers.
Family and Community Involvement
The community around ICS has been built over more than 40 years and is notably safe, warm, and family-oriented. These are families pulling in the same direction, wanting the best for their children and desiring that they grow to follow Christ.
ICS allows parents to be involved while also preserving family time outside of school, club involvement, and church activities.
The Social Experience
Students are encouraged to have fun, build friendships, and enjoy being kids. They are given opportunities to go on field trips, interact with one another, and grow socially in a healthy environment.
Weekly Elementary Rhythms
Morning routines
In the morning, our teachers review recent work in english and math. Then, classes will often connect with one another by sharing highs and lows or doing a morning circle. Students pray as a class, recite the pledge, and review the day's schedule.
Core academics
Students take part in Language Arts and Math every day. Students take part in science, social studies, and Bible most days. This includes direct instruction, group work, independent work, and stations (especially in K-2). Each classroom has its own feel and traditions, and teachers are always finding fun, creative ways to keep students engaged, encouraged, and attentive.
Recess
Our youngest learners, from PreK to 4th grade, take part in 3 recesses each day (15 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes after lunch, 15 minutes in the afternoon), while 5th graders take part in recess only during lunch. During recess, our state-of-the-art playground is full of students playing, climbing, and sliding. Students also have access to a secure outdoor play area with basketball, soccer, football, and classic recess favorites like four-square and gaga ball. Students often play make-believe in the wide, green areas and enjoy time with their friends. Recess is well supervised and safety is a top priority.
Chapel
PreK-5th grade meet for 35 minute chapel every week. Currently, chapels are held on Fridays, but beginning in the 2026-27 school year, chapel services will be held on Wednesdays. We are in the process of teaching through all major stories of the Bible over five years, so that students will hear all of those stories before they leave elementary school in the classroom and in the chapel. Students help lead worship by singing and playing instruments. We sing two songs. ESLT makes announcements. We recognize Pride Paw recipients. Each class shares the Bible verse(s) they've memorized that week.
Specials:
STEM - PreK-5th (K-5th next year)
Art - 1st-5th
Music - PreK-5th (5th includes band next year)
PE - K-5th
Spanish - K-5th (PreK next year)
Library - PreK-5th
After-school options
Homework lab for 3rd-8th grade from 3:15-4:30 Monday-Thursday.
After care
PreK-2nd 3:15-4:30 & PreK-5 4:30-5:30 M-TH
PreK-5 2:15-5:30 F
Clubs: Quarterly clubs, including STEM, soccer, drama, basketball, and flag football options. Dance is a year-round club, meeting once per week, year-round.
Curriculum
Bible: DeepRoots (Defendable Faith Institute)
Science: Purposeful Design (ACSI)
Math: My Math (McGraw-Hill)
Language Arts: Wonders (McGraw-Hill)
Social Studies: IMPACT Social Studies (McGraw-Hill)
Learn more about our academics experience here
Ready to Visit?
See why Salt Lake City area families have been choosing Intermountain Christian School for more than 40 years. Schedule a campus tour to experience our Elementary School classrooms, meet our teachers, and discover how a private Christian elementary school education can help your child thrive.
