Lower School Philosophy

Our approach to education in kindergarten through fourth grade allows bright, motivated children to thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually. The curriculum is rigorous, creative, and innovative.

Our small class size--a maximum of fifteen students--provides highly personalized interaction between teacher and student. Teachers know each child as a whole child. And each child has the opportunity to learn at his or her own pace. Often we find that students excel in one area or another; flexibility in class groupings allows them to move ahead in those areas.

Our teachers design imaginative, outside-the-box lessons, activities, and assignments. From a first grade math class running a morning donut shop with careful measuring and change counting, to a fourth grade science class building websites and posting weather forecasts, there is something original happening continually. Enhancement programs like music, art, and the Good Morning Program give students further opportunity for creative expression and the pursuit of personal interests.

Our philosophy combines the best thinking from two worlds: that of independent school education and that of gifted and talented education. From the former we take our commitment to small class sizes, curricular freedom, creative teachers, parent involvement, and a warm community. From the latter we take the principle that high-potential students thrive when surrounded by bright, enthusiastic peers and teachers and when offered a demanding general curriculum with individualized acceleration and enrichment.