In the Lower School, children are offered a curriculum that stresses basic skills yet nurtures each child's social and creative skills as well. The small class sizes allow teachers to give individual attention and assess each child’s learning style. All students study the traditional core curriculum of reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and Spanish. In addition, students are exposed to weekly art, music and physical education classes.

Mrs. Esta Farmer,
Head of Lower School
[E-mail]

Preschool

The preschool curriculum fosters exploration, discovery, and experimentation in young children. Students learn to make choices, interact with each other, resolve conflicts, care for classroom materials, and become responsible individuals in a caring, fun-filled environment that fosters social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth.

A thematic approach integrates all areas of the curriculum, allowing each child to naturally experience the wonders of his or her world as he or she plays, speaks and listens. Students engage in activities to enhance letter and number recognition, the days of the week, weather and counting. Learning centers such as art, writing, dramatic play, blocks, math, language, small manipulative, science, sand/water table, outdoor play and library are available on a daily basis and provide challenging and creative skill reinforcement activities for the children. Students also begin their study of Spanish, music, character education, and physical education.

Kindergarten

The kindergarten curriculum reflects the belief that learning is an interactive process for five- and six-year-olds. Social skills are reinforced and peer interaction is encouraged while children are supported in developing self-esteem and respect for the unique strengths, backgrounds, and talents of others. Kindergarten students also receive instruction in art, music, library, Spanish, computer, and physical education.

Curriculum Focus:
Reading / Phonics
Writing / Spelling
Learning Centers
Mathematics
Science
Social Awareness

First Grade

First grade students experience a school program that includes instruction in reading, science, social studies, art, physical education, music, character education, library, computer and Spanish. Students in grade one continue to build the foundations for fluency in language.

Curriculum Focus:
Reading / Phonics
Writing / Language
Spelling
Mathematics
Science
Global Studies

Second Grade

The development of independence in each student is a year-long goal of second grade. Children are encouraged to assume increasing personal responsibility for their assignments and their materials. The components of the second grade curriculum are mathematics, language arts, social studies, science, art, character education, library, music, computer, Spanish, and physical education.

Curriculum Focus:
Reading / Phonics
Writing / Language
Spelling
Mathematics
Science
Global Studies

Third Grade

The third grade curriculum reinforces and expands the solid foundation and offers an array of enrichment activities to promote inferential thinking, reasoning, and creativity in students. The third graders are exposed to cooperative learning, as well as whole class and small group instruction and discussion. In addition to the core curriculum, students participate in art, character education, computer, Spanish, physical education, music, and library.

Curriculum Focus:
Reading / Vocabulary
Writing / Language
Spelling
Mathematics
Science
South Carolina History
Global Studies

Fourth Grade

The fourth grade curriculum offers many activities and experiences that enhance a successful transition into the fifth grade. Students continue to learn and use appropriate study skills such as note taking, organization skills, logging of assignments, and time management. In addition to the core curriculum offerings, fourth graders study Spanish and enjoy art, library, music, character education, computer, and physical education classes.

Curriculum Focus:
Reading / Vocabulary
Writing / Language
Spelling
Mathematics
Science
Global Studies

Fifth Grade

The fifth grade offers many activities and experiences that help prepare students for the Middle School transition. In addition to the core curriculum, students study Spanish and take classes in art, music, character education, computer, library, and physical education. Learning appropriate study skills is an essential component of the fifth grade experience. Student are taught and practice note taking strategies, binder organization, and time management skills to assist the transition into the sixth grade, where students will be part of a departmentalized program.

Curriculum Focus:
Reading / Vocabulary
Writing / Language
Spelling
Mathematics
Science
United States History
Global Studies

Curriculum Map