Lower Elementary

Dynamic environments

Our Lower Elementary classrooms are filled with creativity and imagination! In these dynamic environments, you will see students working individually or in small groups, and engaged with teachers in lessons. The curriculum is designed to answer the “why” and “what” questions that children naturally begin to ask at around six:

• What is the sun made of?
• Why does a compass point north?
• What happens to the food I eat?
• Why do boats float?
  

Empowering the student

Each day students plan and prioritize their work for that day. They choose the order in which individual math, language, and cultural lessons are completed. This empowers students as it gives them responsibility for their time, while fostering time-management and self-discipline. Teachers directly instruct students in "skill" lessons and then students practice math, literacy, etc. In “application” the students apply these “skills” to their integrated studies in the humanities and sciences.

Advancing academic knowledge

Teachers encourage students to pursue their passions through independent field trips, research, and presentations. Since children progress through the Lower Elementary curriculum at their own pace, they are generally advanced in their academic knowledge.

Enriched curriculum

Music, drama, physical education, Spanish and art classes, taught by specialists, are part of the weekly curriculum. In addition to numerous field trips, all 1st to 3rd Year students participate in a spring overnight, and 3rd Year students take a much anticipated annual trip in the fall.