The Lower School atmosphere supports children as they make the transition from early childhood programs to the academic and social expectations of the elementary grades.

The visionary model of education is evident in all classroom settings as well as through instructional practices.  Teachers implement hands-on experiential activities that enable students to improve essential skills, engage in creative thinking, broaden knowledge, and deepen understanding.  Students can visualize themselves engaging in more complex and challenging pursuits.

The Lower School values each child’s unique sensibilities, cognitive strengths, cultural heritage, and individual needs.  While the academic work is paramount, the purpose of our program is to render a learning environment that encourages academic risk taking and promotes community building.

Lower School teachers maintain close, ongoing contact with parents,  informing them as to the social, emotional, and academic growth of the students throughout the year.  The teachers will meet formally with the parents for designated parent conferences in the fall, spring, and end of the school year.

Core Curriculum

Math

All Lower School (LS) classes follow the  “Singapore Math” program.

Social Studies

Lower School students attended the following field trips and cultural events:

  • Russian Cossack dancers
  • Norfolk Botanical Gardens
  • Christmas Carol at the Wells Theater
  • Nutcracker
  • Shakespeare Play
  • Pirate Ship Expedition
  • Square Dancing

Community Service

In addition to our engaging and rigorous academic programs, students are involved in community service

  1. Mataponi Indians are the recipients of our Food Bank Collections, Easter baskets and cold weather gear. In exchange, the Mataponi come and enrich our classrooms with storytelling and cultural    programs that tie in to our studies in Virginia History
  2. Regular visits to a local Retirement Home offer inter-generational opportunities to share and receive stories, interviews and other non-tangible rewards that come with such a relationship.

Enrichment

The Lower School student participates in:

  • Spanish class
  • Music Class
  • Art
  • Pottery
  • P. E. 4X per week
  • Drama
  • Daily outside play time