What makes our Lower School unique?
• Intimate classroom setting where students are known and supported as individuals
• All teachers and assistants are Orton-Gillingham trained and the approach is used to teach early reading and writing skills
• Mathematics program with Math in Focus as its foundation, using Singapore Math strategies to teach concepts and critical problem-solving skills
• Intramural athletics available for students in first through fifth grade and access to competitive team sports starting in fifth grade
• Arts festival and book festival every year featuring local and nationally recognized visiting artists and authors
• Fifth graders have opportunities to grow their leadership skills through serving as role models and student ambassadors, participating in safety patrol, and leading school assemblies
• Full-time counselor on staff dedicated to the health and wellness of Lower School students
• Two dedicated science labs — from smashing geodes to using 3D printers, our science teachers ensure that all lab time is handson and exciting
• Multi-day immersive science and team building trip to Jekyll Island for all fifth graders
• Our Honor Code teaches each student the importance of respect and integrity as cornerstones of our community
LOWER SCHOOL
“The Walker Lower School is a place of joyful learning where each child is known and loved. As we encourage our learners to grow and stretch, we support them to try new things and to be free from the fear of failure. Our children learn from their social and academic experiences and gain the critical thinking skills, confidence, and resiliency they need to be successful for the rest of their lives.”
Dr. Kathy Meskell, Head of Lower School
Lower School is a time of transformation. Students achieve many cognitive, physical and emotional milestones and begin an individual journey of self-discovery. At Walker, we provide unique opportunities for transformative learning at every stage.
The Walker Lower School uses the evidence-based Responsive Classroom approach to teaching and discipline that creates a safe, joyful classroom where students can do their best learning. In addition to the core academic areas of reading, writing, spelling, math, science and social studies, students attend co-curriculars including art, music, technology, library, Spanish and physical education. Students are encouraged to learn through their mistakes and peer interactions, helping them to develop the judgment, self-awareness and social and emotional skills they will need in life.
Our close-knit community and small class sizes enable us to focus on individual student needs, providing one-on-one and small-group academic support. Additionally, all of our teachers and assistants are Orton-Gillingham trained to help students with reading skills, spelling and vocabulary development so all students can become lifelong readers and writers. Through cooperative learning, public speaking, community service, leadership opportunities and character education,
Walker students leave our Lower School prepared to serve and lead.
First, Second and Third Grade
Students in first, second and third grade have a homeroom class with a full-time teacher and teaching assistant. Students learn in a classroom community that provides a robust curriculum focused on reading, writing, science, social studies, spelling and math. Students investigate scientific concepts through inquiry-based exploration and begin to gain a greater understanding of the people, cultures and world around them through the study of thematic history units. In addition to these core academics, students also participate in co-curriculars including art, music, technology, library, Spanish and physical education to provide additional opportunities to explore personal interests and challenge themselves in new ways. Students spend time
At Walker, we believe in the infinite worth and dignity of the individual, and students are encouraged to develop a perspective that embraces diversity and global awareness.
Fourth & Fifth Grade
with their grade-level peers in a dedicated lunch room and have recess on our Lower School playground every day. All students participate in field trips throughout the year, Field Day, and the popular Spring Showcase and Lower School Art Show.
Fourth- and fifth-grade students continue their study of core academics and co-curriculars with the opportunity to stretch even more. Students travel in homerooms for academic classes with dedicated departmentalized teachers for math, social studies, literacy and science. Students are encouraged to cultivate the habit and love of reading with the 40 Book Challenge and are able to explore the areas of chemistry, zoology, ecology and more while practicing their problem-solving and research skills. In social studies, students study the formation and growth of the United States. Fifth graders also participate in a multi-day immersive science and community-building overnight trip to Jekyll Island.
Fifth-grade students begin to sharpen their confidence and leadership skills by serving as role models to younger students. They serve as Safety Patrol for morning and afternoon carpool and deliver the announcements each morning. Fifth-grade students may also apply to the Lower School Ambassador Program, representing the student body by touring prospective families and greeting visitors at school events. To prepare for the transition to sixth grade, fifth-grade students visit the Middle School. They begin fine-tuning their executive functioning skills by using the same types of binders and agendas that are used in the Middle School and following some of the same assignment protocols.