STARTING YOUR JOURNEY
SEVERN
We believe that there are many ways to lead, and that every student has the potential to be exceptional. ONE
OUR MISSION
Severn School challenges its students to pursue excellence in character, conduct, and scholarship, to marshal the courage to lead, and to contribute to the world around them.
We believe this is best realized in a community where adults model these qualities, where a culture of belonging is fostered, and where each student is known and valued.
At Severn School, we envision a world where education is about more than what you know—it’s about who you are. We also recognize that at its best, education is a set of building blocks designed to meet students where they are and then prepare them to reach their potential.
Your child will be nurtured in ways that resonate personally, because at Severn, every student is known and valued. And when students feel known, they gain the confidence to speak up, take risks, explore new opportunities, and pursue their passions.
Severn’s three divisions—Lower, Middle, and Upper—strategically and seamlessly address student needs at each stage, preparing them to excel in the moment, at the next academic level, and beyond. Severn students thrive because they develop agency for their learning and build confidence by engaging in authentic and collaborative experiences that spark curiosity and joy. They accomplish all of this within a caring and connected community. From their first day as an Admiral, every Severn student is on a journey designed to instill in them the intellectual agility, integrity, and knowledge necessary for success in our everchanging world.
Once an Admiral, Always an Admiral!
Severn students apply only one time. There is no application required after initial enrollment, even when moving up to the next division.
A Word from Our Head of School
Since 1914, Severn School has been preparing students to positively impact the world around them.
Today, that commitment to providing the very best education remains steadfast, our mission unchanged. The focus on community and personal growth and development also remains unchanged, as it lies at the very heart of the Severn experience. What has evolved is the way students learn, and what they will do with the knowledge gained in the classroom. As such, Severn will continue to innovate, offering a curriculum that is both challenging and inspiring, designed to equip students with the skills and competencies that represent a reframed definition of leadership.
I invite you to see for yourself what it means to be an Admiral. As you explore Severn, you won’t have to look very far to see examples of our values in action, and the joy of learning that is evident within this community.
Doug Lagarde, Head of School
SEVERN’S FIVE CORE VALUES
Our values are the essence of the Severn community and the code by which we live. They are the heart and soul of Severn School.
Welcome to Severn’s Lower School
At Severn’s Lower School, we begin the work of building a community of learners. We provide the optimal learning environment for our youngest students as they begin to see and express themselves as thinkers and learners in a school setting.
Severn’s programming builds upon our students’ natural curiosity, while instilling in them a spirit of cooperation, a respect for others and for their ideas, and a satisfaction in personal intellectual growth. Just as important as learning their ABCs is for Lower School students to feel seen, valued, and included, maximizing their individual learning and growth throughout their years at Severn.
Severn School’s Chesapeake Campus includes Early School (Preschool and Prekindergarten) and Lower School (Kindergarten through Grade Five).
Combined, the Early and Lower School welcome approximately 260 children, ages three through eleven, in preschool through grade five. The school day offers a balanced mix of traditional, structured learning alongside innovation and enrichment, making learning come to life within a supportive, joyful community. Classroom instruction is complemented by weekly participation in a variety of special subject areas. These include library, science, technology, language, music, art, and physical education.
Severn’s Chesapeake Campus is conveniently located in Arnold, Maryland. The secure campus boasts a full-size theater and gymnasium, library, Maker Space, health room with a full-time nurse, and multiple playgrounds for outdoor fun.
The Lower School at a Glance
A few quick facts about what the Lower School has to offer:
Students per class (on average)
Average years of tenure by LS teachers
Acre campus
From Arithmetic to Entrepreneurship
The best time to invest in a child’s education is in the earliest years.
To develop a love of learning, a child’s first school experience should be not only educational, but exciting and nurturing as well. At Severn, students are engaged in the process of learning through exploration, discovery, direct instruction, guided practice, individual practice, reflection, and revision. Our curriculum bridges the important transition between home and school, and emphasizes strong cognitive skills as well as social, emotional, and physical development.
Stop by campus and you’ll find kindergarteners learning arithmetic by physically acting out fact families, second graders learning about entrepreneurship by raising the capital to start a business, and fifth graders putting their engineering skills into practice as they learn about various types of bridges, build their own models, and present the various support systems needed. These innovative, cross-curricular connections enable students to see how learning is connected across subject areas.
We ensure that students meet the academic standards and benchmarks appropriate to their age, while simultaneously
Inspiring a Love of Learning
Our programming is designed to ignite creativity and critical thinking in every classroom and subject area, making learning come alive for young scholars.
providing meaningful context and real-life applications. But we go further, introducing an immersive Spanish program in preschool, journal-writing in kindergarten, and lab-based science in first grade. There are numerous leadership and public speaking opportunities available to students throughout their time in the Lower School, as well as a strong focus on writing that spans the entire experience. In short, the entire Lower School experience is thoughtfully and intentionally designed to cultivate within every student a lifelong love of learning.
Cultivating Character
Education isn’t just about what you know, it’s about who you are and what you do with that knowledge. That’s why character development is just as much a part of the Lower School curriculum as are reading, writing, and math. These are a few of the signature programs that support that social-emotional learning.
Heartstrings
Heartstrings is a series of classes designed to teach students strategies within three key areas: empathy, problem-solving and impulse control, and emotion management. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade have Heartstrings every other week, progressing through lessons designed to develop empathy and problemsolving skills, while learning to handle their own emotions. In addition, students in grades three, four, and five spend time learning mindfulness, helping them to develop emotional awareness and intelligence.
Lower School students are learning how to be a good friend, act with integrity, be respectful, and have compassion for others. At its core, Open Doors is all about self-awareness, learning from each other’s differences, building empathy, and understanding how we can all learn from one another, and grow together.
Helping Hands
In our Helping Hands program, students in the upper elementary grades are paired with students in the lower grades. Throughout the year, Helping Hands meet to work on activities, read together, eat lunch together, attend assemblies together, and more. These relationships give older students an opportunity to practice leadership and act as good role models. Younger students develop a stronger sense of belonging as they look up to and learn from their older peers.
Open Doors
Open Doors is a program designed to educate students about diversity and inclusivity. It is geared toward fostering an appreciation of others—how we are different from one another and how we are similar. Each Open Doors lesson is centered around a book that was carefully selected and allows for thoughtful discussions by the students in a supportive environment.
Where Learning Begins
The students may be small, but big things happen in our Lower School as these young minds experience education and learn what it’s like to love school.
Before- and After-School Care (BASC)
Severn offers Before- and After-School Care (BASC) for Lower School students who need supervision outside of school hours. Because BASC is an extension of the school day, the program’s philosophy is founded on kindness, respect, and fun. A variety of BASC Clubs offer another level of engagement to students beyond the classroom, with activities designed for students of all ages and led by experienced educators and childcare specialists.
An Expanding Selection of Special Subjects
Early School Flexible Scheduling Options
Special Subject classes at Severn Lower School expand imagination, intellect, character, and creativity and are key to the academic success of our students. Beginning as early as preschool, the Severn curriculum is designed to enhance your child’s learning experience in art, music, performing arts, Spanish, technology, library, and physical education.
Specials Offered at Severn School
A UNIQUE APPROACH
Severn Preschool students participate in a Spanish language immersion program twice a week. Through units designed to allow students to virtually travel to Spanish-speaking countries, these young scholars learn the language, and experience different aspects of the culture.
` Spanish (Preschool-Grade 5)
` Library (Preschool-Grade 5)
` Music (Preschool-Grade 5)
` Band & Strings (Grades 3-5)
` Art (Preschool-Grade 5)
` Physical Education (Preschool-Grade 5)
` Technology (K-5)
` Science (K-5)
` Lab-Based Science (Grades 1-5)
` Heartstrings (K-5)
` Renaissance Program (Grades 4, 5)
For our youngest learners, we offer flexibility to cater to your child’s individual needs. Preschool and Prekindergarten students have options for scheduling, allowing families to tailor their child’s schedule. Three times a year, families may also adjust their selected schedule, introducing longer days for students.
Preschool Options 5 full days, 5 half-days 3 full days, 3 half-days
PreK Options 5 full days, 5 half-days
Academic Support and Enrichment
The Lower School has a team of Learning Specialists on staff that supports students and teachers alike. Every student benefits from their expertise and ongoing classroom engagement, as they collaborate with classroom teachers to differentiate instruction and support the full spectrum of student needs, ranging from remediation to enrichment.
Unlocking Critical Thinking with an Interdisciplinary Approach
Severn’s cross-curricular approach brings multiple subjects to life for students in meaningful ways throughout their time in the Lower School.
Second Grade
Entrepreneur Unit In this engaging unit, students incorporate reading, writing, and math. After reading a story about a child who buys a hen and sells eggs, second grade students are challenged to work up their own business plan. They have to develop a product or service and identify their customers, costs, expected profits, and more. To conclude this lesson, the entire class goes on a field trip to the Baltimore Museum of Industry.
Leadership Development and Public Speaking
At Severn, students are immersed in a supportive environment that nurtures leadership skills both inside and outside the classroom. A key focus area is public speaking, with students practicing and refining their abilities at every grade. By
The Renaissance Program helps young minds explore various disciplines, encouraging them to think outside the box and innovate. Whether it’s through painting, coding, or acting, the Renaissance Program is designed to inspire and empower the next generation of creative thinkers.
fifth grade, they are presented with unique opportunities to showcase their skills, including giving a short speech at the Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony. These experiences not only build confidence but also prepare them to lead with poise and confidence. Fifth graders also plan and lead the annual Veterans Day Assembly.
Fourth Grade Immigration Unit One of the most exciting parts of fourth grade is the immigration unit. After learning about Ellis Island and Angel Island, students witness a naturalization ceremony firsthand. This experience is further enriched by a reception where they interact with the newly sworn-in citizens. In preparation, students study the diverse countries these new Americans come from. By integrating social studies, reading, and geography into this powerful experience, this unit not only educates but also fosters empathy and a sense of global community.
Open Doors Each trimester Open Doors lesson is rich with opportunity for cross-curricular activities. To complement the lesson, there are often associated activities in art and Spanish. In addition, there is always an optional extension activity offered during BASC.
Renaissance (Grades 4–5)
Students in fourth and fifth grade have the opportunity to participate in Severn’s Renaissance Program, an extension of the Arts and Science programs. Students can choose either STEM, Advanced Art, Photography and Yearbook, or Drama. The Renaissance program runs in the fall and spring, and each segment concludes with a special showcase celebrating the students and their work. For students in Drama, the culminating event is a full theater production.
We Build Community
We empower students to thrive by centering our community, and providing a strong foundation and unwavering support that builds their confidence and enthusiasm.
Severn Traditions
Severn’s traditions are as important to the community as they are fun. These shared experiences tie generations together and foster the pride, spirit, and sense of community that define the Severn experience. In the Lower School, students look forward to the following celebrated events:
` Homecoming
` Halloween Parade
` Holiday Sing / Pajama Day
` Lower School Dance
` Kindergarten Celebration
` Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony
Admirals Parents’ Association (APA)
The APA hosts events, programs, and parent gatherings, and organizes volunteer opportunities throughout the school year in support of each other and our students. New families are matched with a current parent ambassador who can answer all your questions about life at Severn. As a parent, you are automatically a member of the APA.
“We’re so happy to be part of the Severn community, and our daughter is loving her first grade experience. We couldn’t be happier with our decision to send her to Severn.”
Alex M., P’35
Admiral Attitude
The Admiral Attitude is our honor code; it guides our interactions and responsibilities as members of our community.
It lights the way as we help our students develop a sense of empathy and compassion, learn how to work with others, and radiate kindness and camaraderie as we walk the halls together. As Severn Admirals, we do the right thing all the time—even when no one is looking.
AS A SEVERN STUDENT I HAVE THE RIGHT TO
a safe school; therefore, I have the responsibility to act in a safe manner that supports positive relationships and a positive learning environment.
belong to my school community; therefore, I have the responsibility to accept and support others in my school community.
be respected; therefore, I have the responsibility to be respectful to all students, faculty, parents, and guests.
learn in a manner that promotes creativity and excellence; therefore I have the responsibility to come to school ready to learn and to listen and respect others’ ideas, experiences, and learning styles.
celebrate my achievements; therefore, I have the responsibility to recognize and praise the success of others.
One Last Thing
“Severn School’s values and commitment to holistic education align perfectly with what I hope for in my daughter’s educational journey. I aspire for her to receive the same high-quality education and character development that I was fortunate to receive as a student.”
—Cassie Quigley ‘11 P’39
Chesapeake Campus 1185 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Arnold, MD 21012
severnschool.com
410.647.7700