St. Anne’s-Belfield School 2022-23 LOWER SCHOOL AT A GLANCE
LEADERSHIP
Dr. Autumn A. Graves
Head of School
Lisa Keeler, M.Ed. Head of the Lower School
PEOPLE TO KNOW
Francis Atemo, M.Ed. Assistant Head of the Lower School
Michele Mathieson, M.Ed. PS - 8 Dean of Academics
Megan Haas, M.Ed. School Counselor, K – 3
Trā Nicholson, M.Ed. School Counselor, Grades 4 – 8
Kelsey Bechtle, M.A.T.
Lower School Academic Support and Learning Specialist
Amy Mawyer
Lower School Divisional Assistant
WHOM TO CONTACT
Stacey Gearhart, M.Ed.
Director of Admission, PS – Grade 4 sgearhart@stab.org
Morgan Rakes
Financial Aid Specialist mrakes@stab.org
Office of Admission admission@stab.org
ABOUT US
• Founded in 1910: A co-educational Pre-School — Grade 12 independent school located in the heart of Charlottesville, VA
• Accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS), and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS)
• The School’s memberships include NAIS, VAIS, SAIS, Cum Laude Society, CASE, Duke Talented and Gifted Program, ERB, ISM, NACAC, PCACAC, SSATB, and TABS
• Offers day (Pre-School – Grade 12) and boarding (Grades 9 –12) options
PURPOSE AND VALUES
“We wish our students to be strong in body, broad of mind, tender of heart, and responsive in soul.”
— Mary Hyde DuVal, Founding Headmistress St. Anne’s-Belfield School aims to inspire and prepare the next generation of exemplary citizens and visionary leaders.
Core Values:
• Integrity — Cultivating responsible, honorable, ethical behavior
• Curiosity — Fulfilling our desire to question, to know, and to learn for a lifetime
• Diversity — Seeking to know, learn from, and value one another
• Creativity — Expecting imaginative, critical, and divergent thinking
• Agency — Empowering students to own their learning
• Impact — Accomplishing meaningful, significant work for the greater good
DISTINCTIVE ACADEMICS
Integrated Studies
At the heart of the K – 4 Integrated Studies curriculum is the inquiry process. Students begin each unit with an inquiry question that sets the stage for new learning. Students then spend time in sustained investigations that build their content knowledge. Each unit culminates with an action project, where students apply their new knowledge to a project that will have an impact on their community.
Writing Workshop
Writing Workshop in Grades K – 4 is based upon the Units of Study curriculum developed by The Reading and Writing Project at Teachers College at Columbia University. It is designed to provide students with a developmentally appropriate experience in which they write regularly, learning about both process and product. Students write in a variety of genres and strengthen their understanding of craft and conventions through the study of mentor texts. The writing program aims to establish a clear connection between reading and writing as our students become readers who write and writers who read.
Computer Science
Computer Science (CS) at St. Anne’s-Belfield School is a hands-on K – 8 program designed to get all students excited about all things computer and coding related. Starting in Kindergarten, students play and build engaging projects both on and off the computer screen. All students progress through three phases of our curriculum’s scope and sequence: Icon Based Coding, Word Block Coding, and Text Coding. The phases are strategically built into CS classes as well as academic classes and co-curricular opportunities. Through this, students build robots and electronics while having endless opportunities to create their own ideas from scratch. Technologies such as laser cutters and 3D printers enhance the experiences, giving students the ability to use their creativity and personal strengths in what they design. Our CS program assures that students not only learn coding, but also the skills of problem solving, critical thinking, and logical reasoning with the goal of taking those skills to the next level at the Upper School.
FAB Lab
FAB Lab is an exciting opportunity for Grades 3 – 4 students in the Lower School to engage in studentinitiated inquiry during a dedicated time period each week. It is the School’s own version of Google’s “20 percent Time,” adapted to be developmentally appropriate for young children brimming with natural curiosity and plenty of questions.
Music & Movement
Our Music & Movement program is based on the OrffSchulwerk approach to music education. This approach is characterized by the inclusion of all students in ensemble work; the unity of music, movement, and speech; the emphasis on process teaching; and the prominence of the student’s voice as the centerpiece of all lessons.
Visual Arts
The Elements and Principles of Design along with the Eight Studio Habits of Mind are emphasized in the visual arts classroom at St. Anne’s-Belfield School. Kindergarten – Grade 4 students are introduced to the language of art and work to develop skills in seeing, exploring, interpreting, and expressing their world through a variety of two-and three-dimensional media. The study of art history and historic artists is an important part of the art education process. Other areas considered are primarily art production and creation, and to a lesser extent, art criticism and aesthetics.
ADMISSION INFORMATION
WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOU
Join us for a Lower School tour or event. The full schedule is available at www.stab.org/events. Please note most in-person events are for parents/guardians only.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
First Round
January 26: K – 12 application deadline
February 13: Admission decisions released
Second Round
March 17: PS – 12 application deadline
March 31: Admission decisions released
READY TO APPLY? START HERE
Step 1: Submit an inquiry for your child(ren) by clicking “Request Information” on www.stab.org/apply.
Step 2: Check your email for how to log into your Applicant Portal and confirm your family information.
Step 3: Complete your parent/guardian questionnaire.
Step 4: Sign up for your parent/guardian interview.
Step 5: Review the complete application process that can be found online at www.stab.org/apply and develop your family’s plan.
