If you think of education as a construction site, our job in Lower School is to build the foundation for lifelong learning. So what does it take to build a strong foundation? What must children learn to be able to reach their full potential and become contributing members of a society?

As a globally focused school, we teach children to care about other people and the world in which we live. We strive to help children belong and contribute to the group. We give children age-appropriate responsibilities so they understand being useful and needed.
Recognizing that every child is different, we help children to explore their own special talents and abilities and give them the tools to reach their full potential. We do this very intentionally through a teaching philosophy called The Responsive Classroom.

In our school community, the rules are clear and the values are consistent to make sure our school is a safe place for everyone. Our expectations are appropriate to the needs of the age group as well as the individual needs of our children. In a small class setting, our teachers pay close attention to their students on an individual basis and build strong and positive relationships with them.

In each grade, you can expect a curriculum appropriate to your child’s growth and development. Plus, you can expect something more and different.

Learning Links: Every Lower School grade is linked to a different continent through our Learning Links global education program in partnership with Dickinson College and others. Teachers develop curriculum based on cross-cultural comparisons and communicate often with contacts in other countries via email and the web. Learning Links eventually will include teleconferencing and service learning.

LabLearner: LabLearner is an inquiry-based, hands-on science lab for students in Kindergarten through fourth grade. LabLearner integrates 30 Core Experience Learning Labs (CELLs) on physical, earth, and life science topics with a fully equipped teaching lab. Students not only learn about science; they become “real” scientists, donning white lab coats and working with real lab instruments,as they seek answers to scientific problems.

The Lower School curriculum is further enhanced by daily physical education, library, computer, music, fine and performing arts, Spanish, and community service. An after-school program is also available.