Lower School (grades K-5)
Welcome to Lower School! Our caring and supportive faculty recognizes that a student's education is shaped by a multitude of experiences. Daily, we provide a hands-on, character building, and positive learning environment. Students are challenged to take problem-solving risks and then to celebrate both learning mistakes and successes. Our low teacher-student ratio allows instructors to focus on planning for individuals rather than to expect group uniformity in skill development, achievement, and performance.
The emphasis in kindergarten through 2nd grade is development of the whole child in a nurturing, child-centered learning environment. Teachers are committed to meeting the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of all students in their classes. Thus, in our classrooms one may observe: whole group, small group, or even individual instruction; differentiated lessons, responsive classroom techniques, interest centers, hands-on experiential activities, and cooperative learning circles. Our curriculum has a definite scope and sequence development where students build on skills and understandings from year to year. All students receive instruction in language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, physical education, swimming, library, technology, and Spanish. Our unique public speaking program begins in kindergarten and continues throughout the grades. Teachers integrate their subjects in order to insure more meaningful learning connections for students.
Third through fifth grade enjoy many exciting adventures throughout the year. In addition to individual class field trips, three times during the year these grades participate in special educational outings. Weekly programs include student-led public speaking assemblies where students share poetry, proverb storytelling, and American inventors and inventions reports. All students participate in community service projects such as health and disaster fundraisers, local food baskets, and the Toys for Tots program.