Explore Lamplighter by LLCommunications

EXPLORE LAMPLIGHTER

Lamplighter delivers serious education wrapped in the wonder of childhood.

THE LAMPLIGHTER SCHOOL

THE LAMPLIGHTER SCHOOL WAS FOUNDED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF COLLABORATIVE HANDS-ON LEARNING, RESPECT FOR SELF AND OTHERS, SHARED VALUES, AND MEANINGFUL TRADITIONS. LAMPLIGHTER IS A VIBRANT AND DYNAMIC SCHOOL, AND WE ARE DECIDEDLY INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE IN OUR APPROACH. OUR FACILITIES WERE UNIQUELY DESIGNED TO OPTIMIZE STUDENT LEARNING, ENGAGEMENT, AND PROBLEM SOLVING.

1953 YEAR FOUNDED

450 STUDENTS

12-ACRE CAMPUS FEATURES

ACADEMIC SPACES designed with young learners in mind, including open classrooms, sunken wells, shared spaces, fireplaces, natural light, and views of nature

INNOVATION LAB with woodworking studio, science classrooms, makerspace, and teaching kitchen FINE ARTS WING and THEATER ARTS LAB

OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER with playground elements custom-designed and hand-crafted in Denmark

STUDENTS OF COLOR GREATER DALLAS ZIP CODES REPRESENTED

OUR MISSION

Dedicated to igniting the potential of each child, Lamplighter engages children in the joy of learning through intellectual discovery in a creative, inclusive, and collaborative environment.

SCHOOL DAY EXTENDED DAY OPTIONS FULL-DAY PROGRAM Pre-K — Fourth Grade 8:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. HALF-DAY PROGRAM

BEFORE SCHOOL CARE 7:00 – 7:50 a.m. NIGHTLIGHT PROGRAM After-school enrichment classes until 4:45 p.m YMCA AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM After school until 6:00 p.m. at Lamplighter

A STUDENT IS NOT A VESSEL TO BE FILLED, BUT A LAMP TO BE LIGHTED.

SCHOOL TRADITIONS

SCHOOL COLORS RED+WHITE

SCHOOL MASCOT CHICKEN

SCHOOL SONG LAMPLIGHTER SPIRIT

Lamplighter Spirit, glows with love and light, Burning forever in children’s faces bright. Learning and growing, hearts aflame with joy, Lamplighter Spirit in every girl and boy.

HOOTENANNIES

Once a month, the entire school comes together to sing favorite Lamplighter songs, some of which have been shared for more than seven decades.

SQUARE DANCING

One of Lamplighter’s oldest and most beloved traditions, square dancing is an integral part of the Kindergarten physical education curriculum.

ALL SCHOOL PROGRAM

All Lamplighter students participate in a musical performance before winter break. The program is integrated into the music, drama, and P.E. curriculum.

CARNIVAL

Since 1969, Lamplighter’s Carnival has been a fun-filled event for families and alumni. The afternoon is filled with games, attractions, food, music, and a bake sale.

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT

International Night is an annual event sponsored by the Lamplighter Parents’ Association. Students and their families can “tour” the world, sample food from cultures around the globe, participate in craft projects, and enjoy live entertainment.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

EARLY CHILDHOOD

LAMPLIGHTER PARTNERS WITH THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS TO ACCESS NEW AND INVENTIVE THINKING, INSPIRING US TO STRENGTHEN OUR CURRICULUM AND COMMUNITY.

SPANISH

GRADE

PRE-K, KINDERGARTEN, AND TRANSITIONAL FIRST

(T1)

Early Childhood students learn academics in a play-based environment. Our youngest learners discover meaning through rich theme-based exploration and integrated lessons. A strong emphasis is placed on early literacy skills, including letter identification, phonological awareness, and vocabulary. Students begin the day in the classroom wells for wholegroup instruction before moving to a wide variety of centers that give students time to explore, practice, and play collaboratively as they learn. Classrooms overflow with a wide variety of play-based learning activities, and it is through a student’s own natural curiosity that learning is ignited and sustained as each one begins the journey of becoming a lifelong learner.

Our Spanish program is designed to inspire curiosity and widen students’ perspective and world views. Spanish instruction is sequential and cumulative, building vocabulary in context and through authentic materials such as illustrations, manipulatives, games, songs, rhymes, play-acting, reading, and cooking. All Lamplighter students, Pre-K through fourth grade, engage in Spanish classes.

¡HOLA!

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

LOWER SCHOOL GRADES 1 - 4

The Lower School program promotes academic excellence through an innovative curriculum that nurtures and cultivates the potential of each child.

Literacy instruction consists of units of study in reading, writing, and phonics. The curriculum is rigorous, yet child-centered, sparking interest and curiosity in students. In third grade, students transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Students become avid and passionate readers, and there is a strong emphasis on writing, especially in third and fourth grades.

Math is rooted in a curriculum that enables students to make connections between concepts and become critical thinkers in an ever-changing world. Teachers expand lessons with problem-solving challenges, logic puzzles, games, timed math-fact quizzes, and more. The curriculum spirals, so that content is continually reintroduced and built upon as students progress through the math program.

Lamplighter has a history of being at the forefront of technological advancement. Today’s program continues this work by utilizing new and innovative programs and resources to ensure that our students learn the skills necessary to flourish in our technologically-driven world. Recent projects have included creating and programming virtual reality games, in addition to introducing students to Artificial Intelligence and some basic ways it can be used as a tool for learning.

EXPLORING THE ARTS

THE ARTS CURRICULUM AT LAMPLIGHTER EMPHASIZES A STUDENT EXPERIENCE THAT IS JOYFUL, HANDS-ON, AND COLLABORATIVE. PROJECT-BASED LEARNING AND CROSS-CURRICULAR COLLABORATION ARE THE HALLMARKS OF THE PROGRAM, AND BOTH HOMEROOM FACULTY AND SPECIAL AREA TEACHERS (SATS) WORK TOGETHER TO CONNECT UNITS OF STUDY ACROSS CLASSES. THIS LEVEL OF COLLABORATION SERVES TO FURTHER ENRICH THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE WHILE ALSO ALLOWING PARTICULAR CONTENT, SKILLS, AND THEMES TO BE REINFORCED ACROSS MULTIPLE SUBJECT AREAS.

ALL PRE-K - 4TH GRADE STUDENTS TAKE ART, MUSIC, DRAMA, P.E. & WOODWORKING CLASSES

Our visual art program sparks the creativity within each child in an age-appropriate way through the use of several mediums and materials, including ceramics, collage, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and weaving.

MUSIC

The music program fosters creativity, teamwork, improvisation, and composition as well as the love of music. The curriculum encompasses music literacy, history, theory, and performance.

INNOVATIVE PROJECTS

Students utilize the teaching kitchen and makerspace to take part in hands-on cooking lessons and creative projects.

WOODWORKING

In woodworking classes, students are exposed to hand tools, a laser printer, a jig saw, and a wide variety of woods and finishes, along with basic safety practices.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The P.E. program builds the physical, emotional, and academic potential of each student through playful fitness. Our facilities include a large gymnasium for Lower School, a motor gym for Early Childhood, a sport court, and a soccer field.

DRAMA

Our drama program ignites the potential for young learners through performance, script writing, drama games, and improvisation. Classes and performances are held in our Theater Arts Lab.

NATURE & OUTDOOR LEARNING

OUR CAMPUS IS DESIGNED WITH SIGNIFICANT SPACE DEDICATED TO OUTDOOR EDUCATION. THESE OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACES INCLUDE: THE GREENHOUSE, TWO AREAS OF RAISED GARDEN BEDS, A NATURE TRAIL, A BIRD OBSERVATION AREA, A BUTTERFLY GARDEN, AND BLACKLAND PRAIRIE PATHS.

BARN & ANIMALS

Every year, Lamplighter brings barn animals to campus for the school year. Our farm animals have included cows, pigs, donkeys, goats, ponies, and dozens of chickens.

NATURE TRAIL

PLAYGROUND

Lamplighter’s playground inspires students to strengthen their motor skills as well as their imaginations through creative play. Playground elements include large wooden play structures hand-crafted in Denmark, a zip line, sand play areas, a trike path, playhouses, swings, a pattern garden, and a reading grove.

SOCCER FIELD & SPORT COURT

The soccer field and sport court expand recess options for Lower School students.

SENIOR YEAR

THE SENIOR YEAR AT LAMPLIGHTER IS FILLED WITH RESPONSIBILITIES AND SPECIAL TRADITIONS . THESE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS ARE THE CULMINATION OF THE LAMPLIGHTER PROGRAM.

7,291

EGGS SOLD THROUGH LAMPLIGHTER LAYERS BY THE CLASS OF 2024

PROCEEDS FROM LAMPLIGHTER LAYERS ARE DONATED TO CHARITIES VOTED ON BY THE SENIOR CLASS

LAMPLIGHTER LAYERS

Lamplighter Layers is a chicken-raising and egg-selling corporation founded in 1970 and operated by the Seniors. As leaders of the Lamplighter Layers Corporation, fourth grade students elect officers and crew leaders, feed, water, and collect eggs each day, and sell eggs at carpool. Through this signature entrepreneurial program, Lamplighter Seniors practice problem solving, collaboration, and leadership skills, and are exposed to finance, marketing, and business operations.

SENIOR JACKETS

Fourth graders receive their Senior Jackets in a special ceremony in September. The jackets symbolize leadership and school spirit.

FLASH

Flash is a live, student-run news broadcast that highlights the amazing things going on within the Lamplighter community. Seniors write, direct, and produce the broadcast and go “on air” approximately six times per month. This program offers a unique opportunity to practice writing, interviewing, and public speaking skills.

AUSTIN TRIP

Seniors travel to Austin to see and explore historically significant sites in Texas during the annual class field trip to our state capital.

SENIOR OPERA

Since 1991, Lamplighter Seniors have written and performed original operas. This is a capstone project for Seniors and is performed in the Spring.

GRADUATION

Each Senior delivers a short speech at Graduation as a reflection of their time at Lamplighter.

SENIOR PARADE

Seniors and their families decorate cars and parade around the School the day after Graduation. Students in Pre-K through third grade line the on-campus road and cheer on the Seniors as they bid farewell to Lamplighter.

FACULTY & STAFF

AVERAGE YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE

EACH AND EVERY DAY, OUR FACULTY AND STAFF INSPIRE STUDENTS TO EXPLORE, DISCOVER, TAKE RISKS, AND MAKE THEIR OWN UNIQUE CHOICES OF SELF-EXPRESSION. LAMPLIGHTER MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS STUDENTS THROUGH TEACHERS AND STAFF WHO SHARE THEIR KINDNESS, ENTHUSIASM, AND KNOWLEDGE WITH OUR COMMUNITY.

41%

“I look forward to going to school every day. It’s a happy, cheerful place where learning is fun and something you want to do. I hope to help my students believe in themselves and see that there is nothing they can’t do.”

KATHEY TOBEY BEDDOW ’63 Fourth Grade Math Teacher and Lamplighter alumna OF FULL-TIME FACULTY HAVE ADVANCED DEGREES

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

In the spirit of forever learning, Lamplighter faculty and staff have access to conferences, workshops, and continuing education programs. The School encourages these professional development opportunities, and provides financial support for graduate-level programs.

REDUCE • REUSE • RECYCLE

The mission of the Green Team is to raise awareness of growing environmental challenges and to inspire members of the Lamplighter community to take action to help preserve our planet and our future.

JEDI COMMITTEE

JUSTICE • EQUITY • DIVERSITY • INCLUSION

The JEDI Team is comprised of faculty and staff members whose work supports the mission of The Lamplighter School and the School’s Statement of Inclusion.

PARENT COMMUNITY

LAMPLIGHTER ISN’T JUST A SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILDREN. YOU’LL FIND A HOME HERE, TOO. PARENTS AND FAMILIES ARE A DEEP AND MEANINGFUL PART OF ALL THAT WE DO, FROM SHARING TIME, TALENTS, AND RESOURCES, TO BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS AND LEARNING TOGETHER.

100% OF OUR PARENTS ARE MEMBERS OF THE LAMPLIGHTER PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

LAMPLIGHTER PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

The LPA plans, executes, and funds numerous activities and services throughout the year that benefit Lamplighter students and the community.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Students engage in community outreach initiatives including snack bag assembly for children served by Family Gateway, a homeless shelter for families. Other initiatives include Halloween costume drives, canned food drives, and an annual half day of service in conjunction with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

CULTURAL AWARENESS

Lamplighter embraces its diverse community, inviting faculty and families to engage in learning opportunities and cultural festivities throughout the year. By partnering with teachers and families, the Cultural Awareness Committee shares a wide variety of cultures with students to foster an appreciation for diversity and strengthen a sense of belonging.

FRIDAY LUNCH

Parents volunteer to serve pizza to students each week as part of the Friday Lunch program.

GRANDPARENTS

Our grandparents are a beloved part of the Lamplighter community. They are invited to read to classrooms, volunteer in the Media Center, or attend the School’s annual Grandest Friends’ Days.

FAMILY STEM NIGHT

This parent-child STEM event allows families to explore handson projects together in a fun environment. This annual event is co-hosted by Lamplighter, the Dallas Arboretum, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and SMU.

PARENT EDUCATION

The Dolores Evans Speaker Series brings nationally renowned thought leaders to campus for the benefit of area parents and educators. Our Parent Perks series hosts seasoned professionals, both on campus and virtually, to talk about important parenting topics and trends in education.

ALUMNI

LAMPLIGHTER ALUMNI ARE ACADEMICALLY PREPARED, INTELLECTUALLY CURIOUS, AND FILLED WITH A LOVE OF LEARNING. THE LAMPLIGHTER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALUMNI TO RECONNECT WITH FORMER CLASSMATES FROM THEIR FIRST ALMA MATER THROUGH REUNIONS, ANNUAL EVENTS, AND SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES. OUR ALUMNI LOVE RETURNING TO THE PLACE WHERE THEIR EDUCATION JOURNEY BEGAN.

70+ YOUNG ALUMNI (STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 – 12) VOLUNTEER FOR THE YOUNG ALUMNI CAR WASH EACH YEAR

YOUNG ALUMNI CAR WASH

Established in 2011 by Lamplighter alumna Kate Mosle Bender ’04, the Young Alumni Car Wash brings alumni in grades 5 – 12 back to campus to raise funds for the Alumni Faculty Salary Support Endowed Fund.

ALUMNI COUNCIL

The Lamplighter Alumni Council is made up of graduates and former students who gather to plan events, raise money, volunteer to support school events, and have fun!