Lower School Viewbook 23 - 24

Joyful Learning, Ignited

You want your young child to love learning, especially at this pivotal age. Children marvel at the world’s small details that we grown ups have ceased to notice, and you so appreciate their youthful wonderment. You watch as joyful learning happens every day, a child’s curious mind craving knowledge as much as their growing

body desires frequent movement. You’re looking for a school school that will prioritize getting to know your family. A school that will gently, but relentlessly nudge and nurture your child. A school that will spark their joy for learning and maximize their potential. Welcome to St. Anne’sBelfield Lower School.

Testimonials

“One of the first things we liked at St. Anne’s-Belfield was the strong academic curriculum. We knew our boys would be challenged, motivated, and guided to try new things. We also knew about the school’s core values, which are so important in this social media filled world. But nothing really prepared us for the amazing community that received us. Being the mom of four boys with totally different personalities, I can truly say my boys are known. They have not only made incredible friendships with their peers but also with their teachers. The faculty and administration are always ready to help with any questions I might have about my kids. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities and experiences the school has given my kids.”

— Antonia Silva, P. ’26, ’28, ’32, & ’34

What Our Students Say

“I think St. Anne’s-Belfield School is important to Charlottesville. First I think St. Anne’s-Belfield is a great place to stay. Next I like St. Anne’s-Belfield it is great because it has science and it is fun. Finally St. Anne’s-Belfield School is a great place to have fun, learn and make friends. It is an amazing school. St. Anne’s-Belfield is a great place to teach kids and teens and your children should be taught here!”

— Drukmo Y. ’33

Did You Know?

A “sandbox kid” is a student who has attended St. Anne’s-Belfield since Grade 1. In the past four years, we’ve had 91 sandbox kids complete Grade 12! Read what this parent had to say about her two sandbox kids:

“My two children had very different learning styles and strengths but at each division the teachers at St. Anne’s-Belfield met each of them where they were, challenging and celebrating them at the same time.”

— Karen Moran, P. ’19 & ’21

Our mission:

Statement on Inclusive Excellence

St. Anne’s-Belfield School believes that exemplary citizenship and visionary leadership are best nurtured in a welcoming School community based on equity, inclusivity, and the pursuit of excellence. Our School provides a well-balanced educational experience that affirms the richness and diversity of humanity, creates an expectation of belonging based on shared human dignity, and encourages a desire to learn about and from each other.

Our core purpose is to inspire and prepare the next generation of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders.

— Mary Hyde DuVal, Founding Headmistress

“We wish our students to become strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, responsive in soul.”

Meet the Division Head

Lisa Keeler, M.Ed., P. ’15 & ’16

“Often in the Lower School, lessons begin with a wonder. Why do birds migrate each year, and how does that connect us to communities in South America? Can we build a structure out of cardboard and straws that can withstand an earthquake simulator? Students then deepen their learning through investigating and questioning and researching, culminating in a project or activity in which concepts are applied. In this

collaborative manner, every student at St. Anne’s-Belfield is helping to shape the learning environment. It’s a joyful academic experience where mistakes are embraced as a valuable part of the learning process. Our curriculum is informed by national standards and the latest research on early childhood education. Our Lower School lays the foundation for students’ discovery of who they are as learners and as members of a larger whole.”

Distinctive Academics

In addition to a full complement of core academic classes (Science, Math, Reading & Language Arts, Social Studies, and Writing Workshop), students receive instruction each week in Spanish, Music & Movement, visual arts, and weekly time in the library. Recognizing the vital importance of outdoor and exercise time, students also have daily P.E. along with twice daily outdoor recess times.

Social Studies

One of our most important responsibilities as educators is to teach students how to think, not what to think. Our Social Studies curriculum, InquireEd, is the vehicle in which we teach history, civics, and geography. Each unit begins with a question and culminates in an action project. Students build content knowledge through rigorous and sustained investigation.

Writing Workshop

Our writing program establishes a clear connection between reading and writing as our students become readers who write and writers who read. Writing Workshop provides students with developmentally-appropriate instruction in the genres of narrative, opinion, and informational writing. Students strengthen their understanding of craft and conventions through the study of mentor texts and the creation of stories, essays, poems, and other pieces.

Grades 3 & 4 FAB Lab

The adult world — and increasingly childhood, too — is full of “should dos.” Between packed schedules, traveling to and from activities, and to do lists, it can be hard to keep time for pursuing interests or areas of curiosity. As our students become older and take on more academic and extracurricular agency, FAB Lab is a time for student-driven inquiry and learning. Grades 3 & 4 students choose an area of interest, pose meaningful questions,

Computer Science

Through coding and computational thinking, we give our young learners a jump start on the skills they will need not only to excel in the modern world, but also to develop a sustained love of STEM. Imagine studying earthquake impact followed by building your own earthquake simulation in Science class. Or playing arcade games created through coding by Middle School students who also help explain the game and their creative process. CS curricula is incorporated into the school day, with open labs and after-school enrichment classes offering more opportunities to tinker and explore.

Sample Schedule

7:30 – 8 a.m.

8 – 8:45 a.m.

8:45 – 10 a.m.

10 – 10:30 a.m.

10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

11:15 – 12 p.m.

12 – 12:30 p.m.

12:30 – 1:45 p.m.

1:45 – 2:30 p.m.

2:30 – 3:15 p.m.

3:15 p.m.

Morning Care

Morning Meeting

Reading & Language Arts

Snack and Recess

Social Studies

Arts/Spanish/Science/Library

Lunch and Recess

Math

Physical Education

Writing Workshop

Dismissal

Saints After School (SAS) available until 5:30 p.m.

Academics, Continued Social-Emotional Learning

(SEL) Toolkit

Imagine how much better off we’d be if everyone were taught from a young age how to navigate their emotions, handle disappointment, maintain relationships, and be a good citizen? Every child who goes through our Lower School grows their own SEL toolkit, developed by one of our teachers, Lindsay Rubin, M.T. Teachers integrate the SEL toolkit into all parts of the curriculum to help young learners develop skills, strategies, and language to learn how to be collaborative and contributing citizens in a community. Tools include the perspective tool, and the calm down tool, the think it through tool, focus tool, make a plan tool, and others.

Singapore Math

We teach math using the Singapore Math curriculum in Kindergarten – Grade 6. Students first encounter mathematical concepts through the use of concrete, hands-on manipulatives. Then, they move on to the pictorial stage in which pictures are used to model problems. Later, when students are familiar with the ideas taught, they progress to the abstract stage in which only numbers, notation, and symbols are used. The approach equips students with a strong foundation in math by encouraging a flexible growth mindset, covering topics in depth, and teaching to mastery.

“We feel it is a school where all three of our children can excel and be part of a wonderful community of families. We love that the well-rounded academic and co-curricular program focuses on the health and potential of the whole child across academics, the arts, and athletics.”

— Ashley Gundersen, P. ’28, ’30, & ’34

Our K – 4 students get structured and unstructured time outdoors every day.

The Saints Community

At St. Anne’s-Belfield School, we are first and foremost an academic community. Our community reaches beyond the classroom to build strong, intentional relationships with the whole family.

Highlights

60+ Parents’ Association positions throughout the School

86 all-school parent/guardian volunteers

148 Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day visitors

Chapel

Chapel has existed at St. Anne’s-Belfield since our founding in 1910. While today’s Chapel is non-denominational, it remains one of the sacred traditions of the School. In the Lower School (LS), we gather every-other week to sing together, listen to a message, celebrate highlights, and build community. Student voice is an important component of our Chapel program.

Parent/Guardian Programming

Wednesday Wellness webinars connect child development experts with our parents and the larger community; Curriculum Night gives parents and guardians a peek into the LS academic program; and various parent/guardian chats during the school year focus on a variety of topics relevant to raising young children.

Parent/Guardian Partnership Meetings

Our Parent/Guardian Partnership Meetings, the first of which takes place prior to the start of school, enable faculty and family caregivers to form an important connection and build strong communication between home and School.

Community Events

Cheer on our Saints athletes, bring the family to an arts performance, attend a lecture, come decked in maroon for our Fall Family Festival or Maroon & White Party roll up your sleeves and volunteer alongside a local organization during Saints Serve Saturday — our School community loves to come together. In the Lower School, Grandparents’ & Special Friends’ Day is a treasured tradition that allows students to share their favorite parts of the School with special people in their lives.

The Parents’ Association (PA)

The Parents’ Association provides many opportunities for families to become involved. In your student’s class, parents and guardians serve as grade level reps, support special events, volunteer in the library, and more.

Interaction Across Grade Levels

From their first day of school through the time they are initiated into our expansive, global alumni network, all Saints know they are part of a caring and vibrant community. With students from age 2 to Grade 12 and representing 20 countries, your student will have the opportunity to interact with students of all ages and backgrounds through programs like Chapel Buddies.

At A Glance St. Anne’s-Belfield School

located in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, VA

55 acres of land between two campuses around the corner from University of Virginia

Lower School

16 average homeroom size

232 Lower School students

100% K – 4 students perform on or behind the stage each year

20 countries represented in the student body

100% of students complete an internship prior to graduation

Quick Facts

4,841 living alums in 49 countries

54 competitive sports teams

78% of faculty have advanced degrees

52% Class of 2023 enrolled in a very selective college (<25% acceptance rate)

21 Advanced Placement (AP) exams offered on campus

631 family households

937 students age 2 – Grade 12

46 zip codes represented in the day student body

100% K – Grade 8 students participate in arts and physical activity

Next Steps