In Lower School, our focus is on foundational building: enhancing students’ knowledge in content and skills, fostering effective study habits, encouraging critical thinking, and cultivating a curiosity for learning that will serve them well in high school, college, and beyond. Students actively engage in core academic classes through Socratic discussions, labs, debates, and collaborative work, receiving feedback via rubrics to improve their performance. During these years, the annual Third Quarter Presentations (3QP) help build research and presentation skills, starting with humanities studies in the 5th grade and extending into STEM subjects throughout their lower school years.
In addition to core academic classes, all lower school students participate in choir or piano, one additional arts class, and an Advisory Period. This Advisory Period provides a daily check-in space for students, incorporating weekly executive functioning skills, building toolkits for academic success, and conducting seminars. We strive to help students improve their learning approaches, participate effectively in team settings, and collaborate with peers. We track student progress through various assessments that evaluate their critical thinking, verbal, and writing skills.
The skills and concepts explored during these years are designed to prepare students for college and life, aligning with college freshman orientation seminars. Our students develop essential skills in organization, planning, writing, and communication through college prep classes, ensuring a seamless transition to college and careers. As student life becomes more demanding during these transitional years, we aim for them to learn how to learn while having fun. We help them build the habits and confidence necessary to tackle the rigor and discipline required for academic and artistic success.
To accommodate the unique needs of our students, the Lower School operates on a different schedule from the Upper School. Students in grades 5 to 7 (Lower School) start their day with an Advisory period, followed by a mix of Academic and Arts classes. Lunch is held from 11:45 AM to 12:20 PM in the Outdoor Student Squad, with arrangements made for extreme heat or inclement weather. This unique schedule allows them to move in their own pod while still preparing them for the fast-paced environment of the campus.
NOTE: FOR YOUR STUDENT’S SPECIFIC SCHEDULE, PLEASE ACCESS BY LOGGING INTO PARENTVUE
