Learning
Lower School Program
Visitors to our lower school grades often remark on the visible energy, enthusiasm and engagement in learning exhibited by our students.
Our classes are deliberately constructed to present a challenging academic curriculum in a way that is both interesting and fun, while simultaneously fostering a classroom culture that accepts and respects each student.
During the school week, all core academic subjects are taught on multiple occasions; this includes reading, writing, spelling, grammar, math, science and social sciences. Our teaching of these subjects is integrated and project-based, and reflects a curriculum that continually reinforces and builds academic skills.
For example, lower school students studying the human body might make replica bones (art and science), calculate the number of bones and muscles in the body (math), create a "bone museum" with exhibits and explanations (language arts and art) and open that museum to the entire school, with student docents who explain the exhibits (math, science, and public speaking).
In addition to the core academic subjects, each week lower school students have time with our specialist teachers, including physical education, Spanish, art, music, and farm and garden.
The majority of our lower school students participate one or more days each week in our extended day program, a fun and flexible after-school program that runs until 6 p.m.
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Marie Keating
Lower School Director
We offer a challenging academic curriculum that is both interesting and fun, while simultaneously fostering a classroom culture that accepts and respects each student.
A Lower School Day at CDS
Schedule
Grades K-4 begin their day at 8:30 a.m.
Kindergarten is dismissed at 2:45 p.m.
1st and 2nd grade are dismissed at 3:00 p.m.
3rd and 4th grade are dismissed at 3:15 p.m.
While every day at Children's Day School is different, each day our lower school classes begin with a morning meeting and end with an afternoon meeting. These meetings, based on the Responsive Classroom approach, build community and reinforce academic and social learning.
Students eat lunch outdoors on picnic tables in our large outdoor play yard, weather permitting (which it usually is). Students bring lunch from home; many also buy a delivered lunch online from School Foodies. There is time for socializing, play and fun activities not only at lunch, but also during daily recesses.
Children's Day School
Children's Day School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Learn More
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