The Lower School
Grades
K through 5
The Montgomery Academy Lower School seeks to educate the whole child by focusing not only on each child’s ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT but also on his or her PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
TH E S C H O O L D A Y I S D E S I G N E D T O H E L P S T U D E NTS
GROW I N E A C H O F T H E S E A R E AS.
Our students are contributing members of a community. Every class at the Lower School begins the day with a Morning Meeting where the class gathers together to greet one another by name and share information about important events in their lives. Morning Meetings foster community, help students develop social skills, and set the tone for the academic day.
Our students are writers who capture small moments in big ways. Through Writer’s Workshop, teachers help students identify qualities of good writing and provide support as they employ these qualities in their own writing. Conferences are an important part of the workshop approach where students share their ideas and receive constructive feedback from teachers.
Our students are problemsolvers who think outside the box. Through the Math in Focus curriculum, students receive instruction that emphasizes both conceptual understanding and skill fluency. Learning experiences begin with concrete, tactile problems, and our teachers support each student as he or she advances toward abstract, quantitative reasoning.
Our students are observers who respond to the world around them with wonder and awe. Units of study in both science and social studies offer hands-on, minds-on learning experiences. From building a circuit to creating arcade games, our STEM Lab (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) provides an unparalleled experience for every student at the Lower School.
Our students are readers. Whether exploring futuristic worlds, learning about a favorite topic, or enjoying a cherished story, Lower School students read and read often. Our library is the heartbeat of the school. With more than 22,000 books, students have access to a wide variety of texts on a daily basis. Our reading curriculum centers around quality children’s literature and engages students in conversations about books. One of the highlights of our program is the annual author visit.
Our students are well-rounded individuals. Students in the Lower School are afforded robust opportunities. Our signature enrichment programs are both developmentally appropriate and pedagogically sound. Every Lower School student receives daily instruction in either Art, Music, or Spanish. In addition, students attend STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) class on a weekly basis. Physical Education class and recess are held every day.
IN OUR
DAILY
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OF E XC EL L E N C E , W E STR IVE TO PROVI DE E A C H S T U DE N T W ITH THE B EST POSSI BLE E D U C AT I ON .
Our faculty is comprised of dedicated teachers who care deeply about our students. Our teaching staff is supported by four instructional coaches who help students learn to their fullest potential. The Lower School Technology Coach works with teachers to incorporate technology into the curriculum in meaningful ways. The Lower School Counselor teaches biweekly lessons to every class in the Lower School and also offers individualized support to students.
The Lower School Experience — The latest educational technology, including iPads and Apple TVs — Daily visits to enrichment classes such as Spanish, Music, and Art — Hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) lab — Beautiful library with over 22,000 books — Outdoor learning garden — Hot, nutritious lunches served daily and included in tuition — Recess and Physical Education held every day — A playground just for Kindergartners and a playground for Grades 1-5 — Exciting, experiential field trips — Optional instrumental music lessons (Grades 1-5) —K indergarten Buddy Tradition Kindergarten students are paired with Seniors to establish a sense of community and foster a supportive relationship between our oldest and youngest students. —A fter-School Care To support our working parents, we offer MA+, an optional after-school program providing a variety of fun activities. — I nstructional Coaches In addition to classroom teachers, four instructional coaches are available to support the needs of individual learners and provide enrichment opportunities. —M onthly Town Meetings Each month, the entire Lower School gathers to announce the character focus for the month. This dedicated time allows us to recognize our shared goals while creating a sense of community. —L essons from the Guidance Counselor These lessons help our students learn empathy, responsibility and how to deal with stress and emotions. —H ighly-Trained Teachers Seventy percent of our teachers hold advanced degrees and are given the resources necessary for professional development through workshops, seminars, and travel. —H onor Code MA’s Honor Code fosters trust, integrity, and honesty. Lower School students are taught to tell the truth, do their own work, and respect the property of others.
Our Lower School experience is unlike any other, and each student enjoys a WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION DESIGNED to promote her or his academic, social, emotional, and physical development.
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3 MA Lower School Traditions 1 K indergarten Matisse Self-Portraits created in Art class
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2G rade-level plays, where each child has a singing and/or speaking part 3A nnual Culture Study 4 MA Fun Run 5 Fourth Grade Creek Week 6 Dot Day 7 STEAMfest 8 Eagle Day
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9 MA GrandFriends Day 10 Annual Author Visits 11 Monthly Town Meetings 12 F ifth Grade Coosa River overnight trip
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HILL CAMPUS 1550 Perry Hill Road Montgomery, Alabama 36106-2691 (334) 272-8210 FAX (334) 270-1462 W W W. M O N T G O M E R Y A C A D E M Y . O R G