PreK2 – Grade 3

Lessons aren’t limited to classroom exercises on the Lower Campus. Beginning in Pre-Primary at age 2, learning also takes place in art museums, in public gardens, and even inside the county courthouse.

Every level from Pre-K through 3rd grade builds on itself as teachers customize each student’s learning plan to keep them continually challenged, engaged, and reaching for more. The collective Lower Campus experience is designed to build academic skills, confidence, public speaking skills, critical thinking, global awareness, and personal integrity.

Pre-Primary (Age 2)

The Pre-Primary program provides an environment designed to engage our youngest learners during their first school experience. With the goal of instilling a life-long love of learning, our teaching teams carefully plan classrooms that encourage exploration, problem-solving, and collaboration. Hands-on opportunities to engage with materials and a recognition that a child’s understanding of the world around them develops through play serves as the backdrop of our two-year-old program.

The program values the home-school connection and emphasizes the importance of social-emotional growth. Confidence and independence are instilled as the classroom’s two teachers work as partners alongside students to guide them through learning experiences. Using thematic units to guide experiential learning, our program focuses on concept formation and language development. With opportunities to work cooperatively with others abound, students begin to demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the environment.

Primary (Ages 3-5)

Our Primary Program emphasizes the importance of early education through teaching practices focused on engaging the whole child. Students are exposed to a curriculum designed to challenge them cognitively, strengthen them physically, and respond to them socially and emotionally. The program, serving children ages three to five, acknowledges that students develop at different rates and in different ways and, as such, individualized instruction meets each student every day. A strong emphasis on developing independence, confidence in one’s abilities, a positive attitude toward learning, and appropriate prosocial behavior with adults and peers helps guide the formative years prior to kindergarten.

The Primary Program emphasizes concept formation in the areas of language arts, math, science, and social studies. Students are exposed to direct instruction to begin to develop specific skills such as letter identification and number sense; however, a large focus is on the development of intellectual curiosity and imagination. Students are also provided non-instructional, play-like experiences to foster the development of academic skills. Each classroom’s two teachers act as partners to the students in their exploration of the materials provided.

Video: A day in the life of a Primary student

Kindergarten

Our Kindergarten program addresses the academic, social-emotional, and physical needs of 5-and 6-year-old learners. Continuing our two-teacher team model allows teachers to focus on building meaningful relationships with students and their families. A safe and nurturing environment that encourages independence, promotes positive attitudes toward learning and establishes early student skills serves as the foundation of our Kindergarten curriculum. Academic instruction is differentiated to meet each student’s needs and abilities and to instill confidence while empowering young learners to think critically. Students engage in 1:1, small, and whole group classroom activities that help to foster strong literacy skills and mathematical thinking.

Video: A day in the life of a Kindergarten student

Grade 1

Our First Grade program continues to build independence academically, socially, and emotionally. Through our two-teacher team model, differentiated instruction meets each student where they are and supports their growth as vital members of our classroom and school community. Students are encouraged to be independent thinkers while still respecting others’ ideas and working collaboratively through hands-on learning both in small groups and whole class activities. First graders are supported and encouraged to grow into lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and empowered leaders who show kindness and approach any situation with confidence and a growth mindset.

Learning in Kindergarten extends to include Specials classes such as Physical Education, Music, Library, Spanish, Art, Science, Innovation, and Technology as well as field trips and end-of-unit celebrations with the whole grade.

Video: A day in the life of a First Grade student

Grade 2

Second Grade students are supported with tools and strategies geared toward critical thinking and learning. The program continues to provide students with a nurturing two-teacher model that allows for personalized and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of each learner. The program focuses on extending learning beyond the traditional classroom and empowers students to take ownership of their learning. Continuing to highlight a growth mindset, the curriculum encourages students to explore the world around them with inquiring minds. Opportunities to learn more about themselves, their school, and the local community are integrated into the curriculum. Students build their public speaking skills during special projects that integrate learning across all subject areas.

The curriculum is supported by Specials classes such as Computer Science, Library, Spanish, Art, Music, Science, Innovation, and daily Physical Education classes.

Video: A day in the life of a Second Grade student

Grade 3

Third Grade is a capstone year for students on the Lower Campus and serves as a year of great personal and academic growth. In preparation for the Upper Campus, our third grade utilizes a one-teacher model. Students are given ample opportunities to be leaders within the school community as they take ownership over announcements during school assemblies and shine during the Third Grade Musical performance. Students have the opportunity to make valuable contributions within our community as they participate in meaningful outreach service activities. Within the classroom, teachers guide students in developing critical thinking and collaborative learning skills while encouraging them to maintain a growth mindset. The students’ confidence and empowerment grow as they gain an understanding of their potential and the importance of being a positive force in the world.

Our Third Grade curriculum is supported by Specials classes such as Computer Science, Library, Spanish, Art, Music, Science, Innovation and daily Physical Education classes.

Video: A day in the life of a Third Grade student