Authorized in 2007, Lexington Elementary School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the Primary Years Program (PYP). Lexington was the ninth elementary school in the state of California and the first (non-private or charter school) in Northern California to be authorized as a Primary Years Program World School. Incorporating California Common Core State Standards with Los Gatos Union School District (LGUSD) adopted curriculum, teachers at Lexington School provide a challenging program of inquiry, which is transdisciplinary and concept-based to TK-5 students. Lexington serves students and their families who live in the foothills above Los Gatos, and those who transfer from other LGUSD schools. The school is part of a district that consists of four elementary schools and one middle school. Lexington launched the district’s Transitional Kindergarten program in fall 2022.
Lexington Elementary is a leader in preparing globally aware students for the 21st century. During their years at Lexington, students develop a curiosity about, knowledge of and a sense of responsibility toward other people, cultures and ideas. Students learn to apply acquired skills and knowledge to real-world issues and problems. As a result of their inquiries, Lexington students are empowered to take thoughtful and appropriate action that extends their learning.
Parents in our community provide tremendous volunteer and financial support through the Home and School Club and the Los Gatos Education Foundation. Their assistance permits the school to offer a wide array of programs and support staff. For example, all TK-5 students receive instruction in Spanish as an additional language from Lexington’s credentialed bilingual teacher. Credentialed music teachers provide music instruction, and a physical education specialist provides physical education instruction to students in grades 1-5. All students at Lexington use technology in their classrooms in the form of laptops or iPads, engaging in creative learning experiences that help prepare them to be ethical members of our globally connected society. Visual arts lessons are provided through a credentialed art teacher and LGUSD art docents.
Lexington recognizes and celebrates students who pursue home languages and additional languages. We began our Pathways to Multilingualism program in 2021 which was supported by a School Board Resolution. Fifth graders have the opportunity to receive a Pathway to Multiliteracy Award at promotion, which we hope will inspire them to continue world language studies, including the Seal of Biliteracy offered in many high schools. Lexington offers various multilingual opportunities and experiences during the school year to increase awareness of the importance of understanding more than one language and to further develop global citizens.
Lexington is leading the charge in the integration of Environmental Literacy. The mission of our LexEcology initiative and the student-driven LexEcology Green Team “is to inspire and empower the Lexington community to be lifelong environmental stewards and cultivate opportunities to educate while engaging students in the natural world.” The LexEcology Team has spearheaded many clean campus initiatives. They maintain the vegetable gardens, the worm compost bin, and run the trash sorting and trash-free lunch program. They were integral to eliminating plastic straws from Los Gatos Union School District cafeterias. State Senator Jim Beall visited Lexington on November 21, 2019 to honor our students for the action they took by writing letters to the California legislature urging them to vote yes on bills requiring manufacturers and retailers to greatly reduce their use of single use packaging and products.
With the help of many parent volunteers, the Lexington Life Lab has become a reality. In addition to the outdoor classrooms in place, a pollinator garden, a native species garden, critter cameras, a weather station, a bat box, and an arbor have been added. During the 2020-21 school year, a greenhouse and a water catchment system were built. District-funded solar panels were installed on the school’s roof in fall 2022. A Life Lab curriculum, complete with lessons and activities, is integrated into PYP units of inquiry.
Lexington, originally built in 1859, is the oldest school in the district and has an interesting and rich history. It was once the only school between Santa Cruz and San Jose. Since then the school has moved locations twice. Most recently, the school was completely rebuilt and opened its new doors in the fall of 2014. Lexington is truly a unique and wonderful world school. Please browse our website to get a better understanding of what makes our International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program World School so special.
