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Academics
Lower School
Lower School
Grades 1st - 4th
The Lower School at St. Edmund’s Academy is dedicated to the education and development of children in 1st through 4th Grades. Knowing that children thrive in challenging yet supportive environments, teachers in the Lower School build the foundation for children to tackle new concepts, use higher-order thinking skills, and gain academic independence as they learn.
Maintaining our focus on each child as an individual, we continue to place shared emphasis on their social and emotional development in conjunction with their cognitive growth as active learners.
Our class sizes allow teachers to make these learning opportunities authentic and meaningful and enable them to know each child’s learning style and personality. Core Extension teachers further enrich the Lower School curriculum with science, engineering & design, global arts, sustainable development goals, music, physical education, and library classes. The atmosphere is exciting and full of joy and wonder.
Our class sizes allow teachers to make these learning opportunities authentic and meaningful and enable them to know each child’s learning style and personality. Core Extension teachers further enrich the Lower School curriculum with science, engineering & design, global arts, sustainable development goals, music, physical education, and library classes. The atmosphere is exciting and full of joy and wonder.
Character development is now further enhanced from the foundation established in the Early Childhood Program with the addition of weekly commendations of students who have exemplified one or more of our Core Values. This public acknowledgement of positive behavior in students contributes to our culture where students become increasingly aware and respectful of other people’s feelings, even among differences, and strive toward their very best in every situation.
In 1st and 2nd Grades, we continue our use of The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education’s Orton Gillingham reading literacy, a highly structured approach that combines direct, multi-sensory teaching strategies paired with systematic, sequential lessons focused on phonics.
In 1st and 2nd Grades, we continue our use of The Institute for Multi-Sensory Education’s Orton Gillingham reading literacy, a highly structured approach that combines direct, multi-sensory teaching strategies paired with systematic, sequential lessons focused on phonics.
1st Grade
1st Grade is designed to establish fundamental skills through an enriched, engaging, and challenging environment. Through consistent and clear expectations, students develop their independence, problem solving skills, and become critical thinkers. A variety of meaningful experiences are provided and students are given the opportunity to be actively involved in their learning through cooperation and collaboration with their peers. 1st Grade is a year full of academic growth, excitement and an opportunity to instill in our students a love of learning.
2nd Grade
2nd Grade is a year of new discoveries. The children develop confidence as learners and view themselves as valued and contributing members of their classroom community. Collaborative work, hands-on experiences, differentiated lessons, and technology are some of the means used to assist the children in applying and extending their acquisition of new skills and concepts. To support these life-long learners, students are guided in a caring environment as they develop a mindset of perseverance and celebrate their journey to success.
3rd Grade
3rd Grade is a year when greater independence in learning is fostered. Children take more ownership of their learning as they begin to explore projects and activities that are long-term. These experiences occur both at home and in the classroom. During this critical developmental stage, fluency is achieved and students are no longer learning to read, but rather reading to learn. In the classroom, social and emotional skills, as well as character development, are taught using the Positive Discipline model. The approach enables students to feel their best, believe in themselves and develop a willingness to take risks in their learning.
4th Grade
4th Grade nurtures independent thinking and behaviors, and gives students an opportunity to assume the role of leaders in the Lower School. Students collaborate and problem-solve in a safe and comfortable classroom climate that encourages academic risk-taking, social awareness, and creative solutions. Organization, time management, and study skills are areas of focus that inspire students to take ownership of their learning and prepare them for the transition to Upper School.
St. Edmund's Academy
Guided by our Core Values and commitment to high standards, St. Edmund’s Academy provides a diverse, inclusive, and nurturing learning community where students are known, valued, and challenged to achieve their potential.
