Lower School
DISCOVER
St. Andrew ’s the possibilities
Our CORE VALUES
COMMUNITY
Based on trust, traditions, communication, appreciation, and support
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION
Developed by intentional instruction in moral and ethical behavior
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Reflected in both the knowledge base and behavior of the faculty, staff, students, and parents
CARING , CELEBRATION , AND HUMOR
Fostered by kindness and collegiality
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A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT
St. Andrew’s provides a dynamic and nurturing environment for children to explore, learn, and thrive. Brain research has shown that children learn best when they are actively engaged in doing, playing, and participating. At St. Andrew’s, our students are always on the move, excited to embrace each school day.
We understand the unique needs of our young learners and strive to meet them where they are. Our dedicated teachers work tirelessly to create engaging and authentic learning activities that spark curiosity and joy. We establish a strong foundation of cognitive skills while fostering their social and emotional well-being.
The St. Andrew’s Lower School program celebrates childhood while fostering curiosity, confidence, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
— Yvonne Russell , Head of Lower School
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A SPIRITUAL SAFE HAVEN
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN EPISCOPAL SCHOOL?
As an Episcopal school, we focus on the integration of religious and spiritual formation into the life of the school community. Our daily chapel provides a beautiful and contemplative space where we come together as a close-knit community. Our daily service cultivates universal values of introspection, gratitude, compassion, and learning what it means to be a good Samaritan. Though we are rooted in the tradition of the Episcopal Church, we warmly welcome families of all faiths. We celebrate holy days from various religious traditions and encourage students of diverse faith backgrounds to share the rituals, prayers, and practices that are dear to them.
We really mean it when we say “whole child,” and that includes nurturing the development of the spirit. We want our students to have loving hearts, strong moral compasses, and a deep sense of connection to something beyond themselves.
— Ashley Brandon , Lower School Chaplain
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A FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING
KINDERGARTEN
Your Child’s Journey Starts Here
Eleanor Hall, our Kindergarten Center, is a vibrant hub for fifty kindergarten students guided by a team of six exceptional teachers. This 5,000 square foot multi-faceted facility is equipped with five classrooms, a kitchen, art room, two treehouses, a playscape, and a front deck, all designed to foster kinesthetic learning, encourage small and large group collaboration, and provide a joyful and immersive experience. Our Kindergarten Center is where makers, leaders, inventors, thinkers, collaborators, and lifelong learners are made. We’re honored to be one of the first stepping stones on your child’s learning journey.
Our daily schedule is designed to give teachers the flexibility to respond to individual student needs. Our experienced educators bring forth the best practices acquired through years of teaching and coursework in early childhood development. With their expertise, your child will receive the personalized attention and support they require to flourish academically and personally.
Building Community
Having a strong community means that every child is cared for, known, and valued. Starting with home visits, our teachers get to know each child and establish a constructive partnership with parents. We cultivate supportive relationships and community through school traditions such as daily chapel, Buddy Days, Kindergarten/12th Grade Bowling Day, Homecoming, and family-style lunch. Additionally, the kindergarten curriculum is enriched with experiential learning opportunities and field trips that allow students to explore the world beyond the classroom.
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SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Social-emotional learning, or SEL, equips students with the skills to express their emotions effectively and engage with others in a respectful and healthy manner. The robust SEL program at St. Andrew’s reflects our commitment to community, relationships, spiritual development, and nurturing the whole child. Our educators are trained to promote and celebrate students’ growth in core skills like kindness and empathy, responsibility and self-control, and assertion and advocacy. SEL is woven into all parts of school life, from daily Morning Meetings and Closing Circles to Chapel lessons to the simple acts of kindness so often seen among students and teachers. Through our comprehensive program, students emerge from the Lower School as more confident, self-assured, compassionate, mature, and resilient individuals.
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LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
Academics are at the heart of what we do. Our balanced approach combines the best of traditional and progressive methodologies, ensuring that every student’s unique educational journey is met with understanding and support. St. Andrew’s aims to provide a challenging and collaborative curriculum that prepares students for the world they will inherit. To achieve this, we draw from a range of educational programs, including:
• BRIDGES (Math)
• EL EDUCATION (English Language Arts)
• STEMSCOPES (Science)
• RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM (Social Emotional Learning)
• LEARNING FOR JUSTICE STANDARDS AND THE COLLEGE, CAREER, AND CIVIC LIFE FRAMEWORK (Social Studies)
• MODERN LANGUAGE (K-5 Spanish)
Literacy and math skills are at the center of our academic foundation, bolstered with comprehensive knowledge in science, foreign language, and social studies through inquiry-based learning. New knowledge is presented through creative and interactive opportunities, ensuring our students enjoy the process of mastering their new skills. At St. Andrew’s, we teach our students to appreciate the process by thinking about, reflecting upon, and articulating what they have learned. This reflective practice not only fuels their natural childlike curiosity but also aids in long-term knowledge retention.
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ARTISTIC & ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITY
OPPORTUNITY
Along with robust academics, fine arts classes complement our daily curriculum at St. Andrew’s, with focus in visual arts, music, and drama. In art class, students practice new skills and techniques using a variety of materials, learn about diverse artists, and focus on creating original artwork. In their music studies, students develop an understanding of rhythm, melody, and musical expression, learning to play various instruments and explore different vocal ranges. Drama classes focus on storytelling and integrating the arts into academic learning, and fostering creativity through skits and full-scale productions in the upper elementary grades.
At St. Andrew’s, we believe in the importance of daily movement and activity for children. We provide opportunities for recess and children engage in Physical Education (P.E.) class daily. In our K–2 P.E. classes, students participate in a wide variety of activities to develop muscle skills, eye-hand coordination, and balance techniques, among others. Grades 3–5 focus on exploring team sports and cultivating the qualities of a good team player.
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GROWTH BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
At St. Andrew’s, we believe in fostering a lifelong love of learning that extends far beyond the confines of the regular school day. Our Beyond the Classroom (BTC) program, an extended-day program available for students until 5:30 pm, not only offers an environment for free play and study time, but also presents an array of enrichment classes that allow our students to delve deeper into their interests and strengths. Students can get moving with activities like tennis and cooking or explore new horizons with chess or taekwondo, just to name a few. BTC is an enriching complement to the well-rounded educational experience that our students receive during the school day.
BEYOND CLASSROOM
LOWER SCHOOL Fast Facts
students 327
9:1 student to teacher ratio
18 average class size
1:1 iPad/laptop program
59 $14k students on financial aid average financial aid award
THE PORTRAIT A FIFTH GRADER
Our fifth graders leave the Lower School academically and socially prepared to begin Middle School.
A 5th grader’s educational tool kit includes:
• Organization & Study Skills
• Self-Awareness & Self-Advocacy Skills
• Confidence & willingness to take on leadership roles
• Academic readiness for deeper studies in literacy, math, social studies and science
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• A kind heart and a spirit of service
PORTRAIT OF GRADER
HOW TO APPLY
Thank you for your interest in St. Andrew’s. Applications are accepted online at sasaustin.org. Priority is given to applications received on or before January 27. To make an appointment or to inquire about our program, please contact:
Priscilla Lund Director of K-12 Enrollment Management & Financial Aid plund@sasaustin.org (512) 299-9802
Kapie Breed Director of Lower School Admissions kbreed@sasaustin.org (512) 299-9846
STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School admits qualified students regardless of
discriminate
in the administration of any policies or programs generally accorded or made available to students at the school.