Lower School

Once upon a time, elementary education was like being on a tour bus. You watched as subjects passed by and you tried to remember what you saw. Times have changed, though—nowhere more than at SSSAS, where the Lower School experience is interactive, interdisciplinary, and invigorating. Children are agents of their own learning, making choices, asking questions, exploring deeply, and reflecting on their experiences.

Why Early Education Matters

The early years are a time of incredible growth—socially, emotionally, and intellectually. Our youngest Saints are naturally curious, and we honor that by creating joyful, hands-on experiences that help them explore, question, and wonder.

With small class sizes and dedicated early childhood educators, every child is seen, known, and supported. We focus on developing confidence, empathy, and essential skills—academic and social—through meaningful routines, guided play, and strong relationships. These early experiences shape how children see themselves as learners and community members, setting the stage for future success.

Loading from Vimeo...

Divider LogoOU

Lower School Learning Experience

Our Lower School program offers a joyful, age-appropriate journey through each grade level—from our Early Saints preschool program for 3-year-olds through fifth grade. Click on a grade below to discover six key highlights from each year’s curriculum. You’ll get a glimpse into the engaging projects, core skills, and signature learning experiences that shape a strong foundation for future learning.

Early Saints

Junior Kindergarten

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

Divider LogoOU

Inside Our Early Years Program

Our Early Years program is comprised of Early Saints preschool for three- and four-year-olds (full-day program), Junior Kindergarten for four- and five year-olds and Kindergarten for our five- and six-year-olds.

Loading from Vimeo...

We offer an exciting introduction to school! Led by two early education experts and inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, it is student-centered, parent-partnered, and research-based.
Teachers employ the Singapore Math Developing Roots curriculum consisting of interactive activities and games that develop flexible thinking, important in developing mathematical skills.
Students are introduced to Orton–Gillingham which is our phonics program. This literacy approach teaches reading and spelling skills by breaking learning down into smaller pieces involving letters and sounds and then builds on these skills over time. They are also engaged in the Heggerty curriculum which focuses on phonological awareness skills - the sounds of letters.
Our faculty are certified in early education, supplemented by specialists in art, library, music, science, Spanish, religion, and PE. Wherever children go—from their homeroom class to the natural outdoor classroom, around the Lower School campus or the local area on field trips—they are immersed in experiential learning.

Divider LogoOU

Explore Our Curriculum

Our curriculum emphasizes foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, while also introducing abstract thinking through integrated studies in social studies and science. Starting with our youngest learners, we help students develop strong work habits and organizational strategies. With a focus on differentiated instruction, teachers provide the right level of support and challenge for every student—ensuring that each child builds confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Language Arts

Lower School Sinclair Library

At the Sinclair Library, we inspire young minds to fall in love with reading while developing essential skills for the digital age. Our students learn to navigate, evaluate, and create information thoughtfully and confidently through hands-on experiences and guided exploration.

Stories come alive in our vibrant space where imagination and discovery flourish. Working closely with classroom teachers, we weave library lessons into the curriculum through inquiry-based learning that sparks curiosity and wonder.

Throughout the year, our community celebrates literacy through special events including visiting authors and illustrators, our beloved annual book fair, summer reading adventures, and our cherished birthday book program. These experiences help create lasting connections between our students, their families, and the joy of reading.

How We Help Students Thrive

Academic Support

At the Lower School, our Academic Support Team provides support to all students, including students with mild to moderate learning needs, in order to help them become more effective learners and successful self-advocates. Our learning specialists consult with the classroom teachers and recommend strategies that include classroom accommodations. We help teachers identify and support the individual needs of our students and implement best teaching practices. Our learning specialists join the classroom to provide support. For example, we may work with a group of kindergarten students who need targeted phonics instruction or a group of fifth graders on writing organization.

Our Academic Support Team can also work with students who would benefit from direct, ongoing support based on their learning profiles. Our learning specialists, administrators, and classroom teachers collaborate to make decisions regarding which students may benefit from this program. Such students have typically participated in educational testing or a screening at school. Assistance may be provided with:

Early literacy and language skills
Reading (e.g., decoding, fluency)
Reading comprehension
Spelling
Written expression
Math skills
Executive functioning
Learning concepts like growth mindset
Monitoring anxiety related to academics

Mental Health & Wellness

Counselors on each campus are available for consultation to all students of the school community, and are also resources for parents with concerns regarding students or school-related issues.The Chaplains are also available to all members of the school community, students and parents, as well as faculty and staff who wish to talk about ethical or spiritual issues or personal relationships. During the year a variety of mental health and wellness programs are offered for students and adults. Learn more at our Health & Wellness page.

Responsive Classroom

Outdoor Classroom

The Outdoor Classroom located on the Lower School campus is a unique environment that allows students to explore and learn hands-on with natural and authentic materials. It is important for young learners to use real materials to support their growth and development. The Outdoor Classroom provides a space to explore the natural world and all it has to offer. Teachers say "Yes!" to playing with bugs, worms, leaves, pine cones, sticks, and in mud puddles. Students enjoy using real kid-sized tools—shovels, rakes, buckets, watering cans, wheel barrels and more—to dig, create, and collaborate. They enjoy using their muscles to jump from stump to stump or push a stump up and down the hill. These natural invitations to play and explore reflect the Reggio Emilio philosophy while providing a flexible form of play and learning.

After-School Enrichment

Opportunities for enrichment don’t stop at the end of the school day or the door to the classroom. Our robust Extended Day program is available on a drop-in or annual basis. While youngsters enjoy karaoke, crafts, or playground time, their older counterparts choose what they do and where—perhaps homework in the lounge or Legos in the cafeteria. There’s something for everyone, made more fun by doing it with friends.

In addition, each season brings a new crop of enrichment clubs to sign up for. Led by teachers, they run an hour a week for seven weeks. Kindergarteners can build their own rockets and invite their parents to the launch. Older students may learn about science or cooking (or about science by cooking).

Leadership options like safety patrol and the Student Lunch Committee (yes, we give students voice and choice by discussing their food preferences with us) add to the many ways lower schoolers are enriched at SSSAS.

Divider LogoO

A Look Inside Kindergarten—A Sample Day in Action

Activities, classes, and class length are thoughtfully crafted to the unique developmental needs of each grade level. This schedule, along with the academic charts, serves to illustrate the depth and breadth of our Lower School academic program.

8:00 a.m.

Drop Off

Lower School drop-off runs from 8:00 to 8:20 a.m., when students are welcomed by friendly faculty, staff, and our fifth-grade Safety Patrol leaders. These student leaders play an important role each morning, helping younger Saints feel at ease and confidently guiding them to their classrooms.

8:20 a.m.

Morning Meeting

Each morning begins with students and teachers gathering in a circle to greet one another with a handshake, hug, or high-five, and to review the day’s plan. Students then ease into the day with a morning activity, such as practicing reading or engaging in a math game.

9:00 a.m.

Phonics

Students rotate through engaging, small-group activities designed to build strong foundational literacy skills. Using a structured, multisensory approach, they practice letter-sound relationships, blend and segment words, and strengthen early reading, writing, and spelling skills. Whether tapping out syllables, using magnetic letters, or playing sound games, students are immersed in hands-on learning that makes phonics both effective and fun.

9:45 a.m.

Spanish

Kindergartners build foundational language skills through music, movement, art, and storytelling. Whether labeling a Thanksgiving feast on their iPads or practicing how to talk about feelings, weather, and routines, students learn Spanish in joyful, hands-on, and culturally rich ways.

10:20 a.m.

Recess

Recess is a vital part of the kindergarten day—where play, movement, and fresh air support healthy development. Whether building friendships, solving problems, or simply running free, outdoor play helps students recharge, grow socially, and return to the classroom ready to learn.

11:00 a.m.

Math

Building Strong Number Sense—Kindergarteners develop math skills through interactive games and hands-on activities that promote flexible thinking. From counting and measuring to exploring shapes and simple addition, students build a solid foundation while discovering that math is both meaningful and fun.

12:00 p.m.

Lunch

Kindergarteners eat lunch in their classrooms, building community with friends and teachers. Students can bring lunch from home or purchase a school-provided meal. Starting in first grade, they’ll transition to the dining hall.

12:30 p.m.

Recess

Yes, recess again! That’s how important it is to us. Backed by research, we know that unstructured play supports cognitive growth, improves focus, and boosts overall well-being. A second recess gives our kindergarteners time to reset, move their bodies, and strengthen social skills—so they return to learning energized and engaged.

1:00 p.m.

Publishing Party

Kindergarten authors celebrated their hard work by sharing their stories with classmates during a special Publishing Party—building confidence, pride, and a love of writing.

1:45 p.m.

Music

Kindergarteners explore music through singing, rhythm games, movement, and instruments. They learn to keep a steady beat, perform simple melodies, and discover how music tells stories—all while building confidence as performers in concerts and classroom informances throughout the year.

2:20 p.m.

Creative Play

Students engage in open-ended games and imaginative play of their choosing—building friendships, collaboration, and joy.

3:00 p.m.

Dismissal

The school day ends with students heading home by carpool or bus—or joining our Extended Day program for more time to play, create, and unwind.

Divider LogoO

Extended Day & Enrichment

Thoughtfully designed programs that seamlessly extend your child's day with the same care and quality they experience during school hours—letting you focus on work, knowing your Saint is thriving.

No post to display.