Academics

Lower School

Where Curiosity Begins

Lower School, Kindergarten through Grade 4, is where girls begin to discover who they are and who they can become. Our curriculum is designed to nurture the intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual growth of each child while developing a strong academic foundation. As curiosity grows, so does confidence, empowering every girl to find her voice, strengthen her sense of self, and reach her full potential.

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Lower School Highlights

List of 4 items.

  • World Languages and Culture

    By teaching both Mandarin Chinese and Spanish beginning at age 3, girls expand their understanding of different cultures while making global connections.

  • Engineering and Coding

    We integrate design thinking and innovation throughout the Lower School to introduce the girls to the fields of engineering and design. Students also learn the basics of coding through a variety of programs and applications to gain proficiency in areas in which girls are underrepresented nationally.

  • Leadership

    Girls gain confidence and develop leadership skills through a variety of opportunities such as being classroom ambassadors, leading chapel services, serving as Safety Patrol and spearheading service projects. 

  • Project-Based Learning

    Lower School faculty are experts in project-based learning, an instructional approach that helps students develop and strengthen skills in collaboration, research, critical thinking and problem solving.

Dr. Annie Kapetanis | Head of Lower School

I love the joy that fills the halls and classrooms once the girls arrive. ​I love the fact the girls love to learn and the 'a-ha' moments that fill each day make me smile. There is no better place than St. Catherine’s.

Meet the Team

List of 6 members.

  • Photo of Annie Kapetanis

    Annie Kapetanis 

    Head of Lower School and Early Childhood
    804-288-2804 ext. 3064
  • Photo of Gina Friend

    Gina Friend 

    Assistant Head of Lower School; Lower School AEB Coordinator
    804-288-2804 ext. 3090
  • Photo of Sara Waechter

    Sara Waechter 

    Assistant Head of Early Childhood
    804-288-2804 ext. 3116
  • Photo of Katherine Cockerham

    Katherine Cockerham 

    Lower School Office Manager
    804-288-2804 ext. 3037
  • Photo of Christina Green

    Christina Green 

    Lower School Administrative Assistant
    804-288-2804 ext. 3082
  • Photo of Adrienne Taylor

    Adrienne Taylor 

    Associate Director of Admissions, Lower School (Early Learners - Grade 4)
    804-288-2804 ext. 3078

Lower School Hours

List of 2 items.

  • Morning Drop-off

    7:35 a.m. - 7:55 a.m. (all grades)

  • Afternoon Dismissal

    Early Learners-Grade 1 
    3:00 p.m. (Monday-Thursday)
    2:15 p.m. (Friday)

    Grades 2-4
    3:30 p.m. (Monday-Thursday)
    2:45 p.m. (Friday)

Let's Get Started

The best way to get started is to come to St. Catherine’s for a campus tour, to catch a glimpse of School life, to meet our teachers and to see teaching and learning up close.
6001 Grove Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23226
804-288-2804
Located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, St. Catherine’s School is a private, all-girls pre-K, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school. We provide a well-rounded educational experience for girls from communities across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico and all of central Virginia. St. Catherine’s all-girls educational experience is rooted in more than a century of history and tradition. From our revolutionary past to our dynamic present, St. Catherine’s has always focused on preparing students for a boundless future.