Lower Elementary
Our Lower Elementary classrooms are filled with creativity and imagination!
Upon entering any of these dynamic environments, you will see 6-to-9-nine year olds 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 6:
- What is the sun made of?
- Why does a compass point north?
- What happens to the food I eat?
- Why do boats float?
Every morning, each student plans and prioritizes his work for that day, choosing the order in which individual Math, language, and cultural activities are accomplished. This empowers children by giving them some responsibility for their time while fostering time management and self-discipline. The curriculum is brought to life in a cycle of “skill” in which the teachers directly instruct and children practice math and literacy, and “application” in which the students apply these “skills” to their integrated and exciting humanities and science projects.
Teachers encourage students to pursue their passions through independent field trips, research, and presentations. Because children progress through the Lower Elementary Program at their own pace, they are generally advanced in their academic knowledge.
Music and drama, physical education, Spanish and art classes, taught by specialists, are incorporated into the weekly schedule. In addition to numerous field trips, all 1st -3rd year students participate in a spring overnight, and 3rd year students take their much anticipated annual trip in the fall.
Download the Lower Elementary Curriculum Guide