Lower School (PK-5)
Lower School at Westchester is about establishing the foundational skills and confidence that will lead to interest and enjoyment of the pursuit of knowledge for years to come.
Our focus is the “whole child,” knowing that affective and cognitive learning have equal roles and believing that a nurturing environment gives students the best opportunity for success.
Small classes allow teachers to meet students where they are, address individual learning styles, and challenge them to grow. In addition, students learn the art of collaboration and effective teamwork.
Classroom Instruction
The Lower School curriculum is designed to engage students, stimulate creativity, and develop critical thinking skills. The goal of math instruction is to develop a clear understanding of key foundational concepts through the use of manipulatives, problem-solving, and cumulative review. Language instruction focuses on developing written and oral communication. An emphasis in primary grades on phonetics and comprehension provides upper elementary students the tools to “read to learn” across subject areas.
Enrichment Opportunities
Westchester Lower School students have access to a rich offering of enrichment activities that take place during the school day augmenting their classroom instruction. Each school day students participate in a selection of enrichment classes, including art, music, physical education, technology, library, and world languages.
| Grades PK-1 receive weekly Chinese (Mandarin) instruction, and students in grades 2-5 learn both Mandarin and Spanish. |
Community
In Lower School, students become a part of the Westchester community. They are introduced to the school mascot and a school cheer in kindergarten. A nurturing family environment allows students to feel comfortable in their classrooms and throughout our campus. Each Lower School student is also paired with a Middle or Upper School buddy. Buddy pairs participate in school-wide service projects together and enjoy meals together a few times each year. Students continue with their buddy until graduation, often leading to special bonds that add meaning to the student experience at Westchester.
The Lower School participates in monthly community meetings, each one highlighting a different character trait. These assemblies regularly feature special guests and student participation to help bring these concepts to life. Our staff weaves character development into daily activities. In addition, parents play a vital role in partnering with our teachers to build personal integrity and an enthusiasm for learning.
