Welcome to Lower School

Welcome to Episcopal’s Lower School. Our 1st–5th grade classrooms are lively, supportive spaces where children grow into independent thinkers, compassionate classmates, and confident learners.

As students move through these important elementary years, they deepen their skills in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies while also learning how to collaborate, problem-solve, and lead. Our teachers know their students well and use that insight to challenge, guide, and encourage them daily. With intentionally small class sizes, we’re able to nurture each child’s strengths and help them stretch in new, meaningful ways.

These years are full of discovery, growth, and the steady development of habits that will carry students forward for years to come.

Warm regards,
Beth Gardner
Head of Lower School

Beth Gardner: Head of Episcopal Lower School

Beth Gardner
Lower School Division Head

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Morning Meeting

When you step into Episcopal’s Lower School, the energy is unmistakable. Joyful voices, confident learners, and a genuine sense of community fill the hallways, spill into classrooms, and stretch outdoors. Each morning begins with Morning Meeting, a cherished PreK-4 through 5th grade tradition that brings our entire Lower School together in the Greer Center. We sing and pray, celebrate birthdays and accomplishments, share announcements, and start each day with encouragement and purpose—closing with our daily charge: “Make it a great day!”

This gathering isn’t just a routine; it is the heartbeat of our division. Morning Meeting helps children understand what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves—a place where they belong, are supported, and are known by name. Throughout the day, teachers build on this foundation using Responsive Classroom practices that nurture cooperation, independence, and kindness. Students learn not only how to succeed academically, but how to uplift one another and contribute meaningfully to their class community.

The confidence, character, and strong academic habits developed in Lower School prepare students beautifully for the exciting transition into Middle School and beyond.

Social-Emotional Learning

A child's social and emotional development will benefit the student for the rest of his/her life. Social-emotional learning (SEL) in the Lower School is based on five key competencies of cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control. For Lower School students, social-emotional learning occurs both organically, through play, developing friendships, and group work, as well as strategically through three primary ways. First, monthly classroom lessons are a dedicated time for the Lower School Counselor to teach students developmentally targeted skills, such as flexible thinking, empathy, and conflict resolution skills. Secondly, Toolbox Tuesday is a part of Morning Meeting once a week in which students can learn calming strategies and “tools” for coping and developing flexible thinking. The third way the key competencies are developed in the Lower School is through individual and group sessions with the Lower School Counselor as needed to discuss student-specific needs. Lower School students learn common language through social-emotional learning which is used by the counselor, teachers, and the Head of Lower School. The consistency reinforces skills learned to all students.

Grades 1-5 Learning

A varied and comprehensive approach to early childhood learning sets the stage for a lifetime of learning and development. As grade 1-5 students progress through Lower School, they are provided developmentally appropriate opportunities to participate in engaging lessons and boost their confidence. Project-based learning units provide students the opportunity to investigate, research and explore a particular topic. The lessons bridge all subjects and highlight the collaboration of the teaching team. Students begin to develop critical public speaking skills early as they present what they have learned to classmates and special guests. In addition to project-based lessons, educators also use proven programs such as guided reading, Writing Workshop, Fundations, and Singapore Math, and teacher-developed science and social studies units to foster a lifetime love of learning and exploration. Students in grade 4 and 5 learn in a departmentalized environment, with one grade level teacher focusing on one content area for all students. Traveling to different teachers for these classes supports a smooth transition to a Middle School routine.

Core Curriculum

Reading Workshop

Reading Workshop helps students grow into confident, independent readers who truly love reading. Each lesson begins with a brief whole-class mini-lesson where teachers introduce a specific reading strategy or skill. Students then move into extended independent reading time, allowing them to apply learned reading skills in books that match their interests and reading level.

During this time, teachers meet individually with students or in small groups to provide targeted, differentiated instruction—supporting readers who need additional guidance and challenging those ready to stretch further. The workshop closes with a short share time, where students reflect on their reading, discuss strategies, and learn from one another.

This approach gives students daily opportunities to read, build strong comprehension skills, and develop the habits of lifelong readers. Because they have access to a wide selection of high-interest books, students experience reading as both joyful and meaningful, laying a strong foundation for continued growth.

Writing Workshop

Students engage in several units of study throughout the school year, including variations of narrative writing, informational writing, and opinion writing. Closely following the Units of Study for Writing Workshop, students develop their writing skills not only in content but also in organization, craft, grammar, spelling, and conventions. Students also become comfortable with the writing process: draft, revise, edit, and publish. At the end of each writing unit, students celebrate their publications in unique and special ways.

Fundations

Students in grades 1 and 2 continue their study of literacy through daily Fundations lessons -- a multisensory, structured language program that provides systematic and explicit word study instruction. These lessons provide students with foundational skills and strategies essential to developing strong phonics, high frequency word study, handwriting, and spelling skills. Fundations lessons are lively, engaging, and fun!

Mathematics

Students learn, practice, connect, and grow their math knowledge daily in the Lower School. Teachers are well-versed in the Singapore Math methodology and their lessons are supported through the Think Mathematics curriculum. Math understandings develop over time through a key philosophy within the Singapore Math methodology, a learning progression of concrete to pictorial to abstract concepts. Most math lessons begin with an exploration of a specific math concept through an anchor task and practice math skills through games or assignments. Lower School students become confident mathematicians and problem solvers.

Beyond the Core Curriculum

As a complement to our core academic curriculum, PreK-3 - grade 5 students participate in a range of special area classes. At Episcopal, physical education and special area classes are an essential piece to our dedication to supporting the growth and development of the whole child. All Lower School students participate in daily, developmentally appropriate physical education. Students also participate in music, art, religion, and two world languages: French and Spanish. Students visit the library weekly, participate in monthly social-emotional lessons with our counselor, and participate in hands-on, inquiry-based learning in our QUEST Center.

Enrichments

Physical Education

In Lower School, students benefit from our developmentally appropriate physical education program every day, working with our talented PE teachers, who also coach our Middle and Upper School athletic teams. Students learn healthy habits for lifetime fitness while developing the skills that will carry them in competitive sports down the line. With our expansive outdoor facilities, gymnasiums, Field House, and dedicated playgrounds, students at Episcopal have lots of room for organized PE activities and free play in a safe, nurturing environment.

Spiritual Development

Episcopal offers inclusive religious and moral education to all its students, grounded in the Christian faith and traditions of the Episcopal Church. The seeds we plant in our daily Lower School Morning Meetings, Chapel services, and weekly religion classes help our students grow into young women and men of character. Our approach to spiritual and moral education is responsive to the needs of different families and beliefs. We invite you to feel the difference in our approach.

Visual and Performing Arts

Visual and Performing Arts are a cornerstone of the Episcopal experience. Students in Episcopal's Lower School are taught by professional teachers and artists who love their subjects. It's infectious. Our students sing, dance, paint, draw and act with confidence, grounded in a sound foundation of knowledge. You'll see personalized works of art and hear both traditional and student-created music coming from our dedicated music and art rooms. Ask a student about their work and you'll discover there's more to the story than just a great performance. Our students understand that art is a powerful means to communicate their feelings and express their dreams.

Visual art and music are taught in every grade level from PreK-3 through grade 5, with the added excitement of theatre in 5th grade. Students have the opportunity to participate in either the Lower School musical or all-school musical performed on the main stage. We invite you to see the difference a strong artistic foundation can make in the life of your child.

World Languages

Through business, in travel, or in daily life, a second language is quickly becoming a necessity. Three times a week, Episcopal provides all Lower School students with a language program focused on activities which develop world language skills, giving students the opportunity to learn and practice French and Spanish. Starting in PreK-3, students build a foundation for continuing their language of choice in Middle School. Through games, songs, projects, and cultural activities, students acquire the vocabulary and skills they need to be successful in further study. Episcopal students learn from teachers who are passionate about teaching the language, as well as creating cultural awareness, in order for students to become thoughtful global citizens.