The Lower School is committed to the intellectual, physical, emotional, social and spiritual development of each girl. We strive to maintain an affirming, caring and academically challenging community that supports inquiry and risk taking necessary for learning. Our curriculum balances expectations for excellence and a sensitivity to individual differences in development and learning style.
Using a wide range of strategies that support the many strengths and interests of our students, we strive to create a learning environment where students will develop critical thinking skills and will engage in creative and flexible thinking. Through the spiritual life of the School, intentional instruction and nurturing relationships between students and teachers, children learn to act with integrity and consideration for others.
Girls start learning the basics of coding, using Cubelets, littleBits and Scratch as tools to gain proficiency in an area in which girls are underrepresented nationally.
Critical Thinking
Girls develop a solid foundation in number sense and problem solving in preparation for algebraic thinking. Through Singapore Math, girls learn different processes finding and articulating the solution.
Engineering
The intentional integration of building activities throughout the Lower School years introduces girls to the basics of engineering. Innovation Days teach girls design thinking and creative problem solving.
Ethical Leadership
The Lower School Virtues Program provides a moral compass to guide the girls in every facet of their daily lives. They embraces empathy as they build leadership skills.
Public Speaking
Girls gain confidence through age-appropriate speaking opportunities. They start as classroom ambassadors in JK and progress to speaking in front of the entire student body as fourth graders.
Research Aptitude
A strong foundation in reading and writing allows girls to dive deeply into subjects by conducting research beginning in JK that accelerates to a capstone project in grade 4.
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.
Physical Education - includes swimming and Grades 3-4 cycling Library
Technology
Religion
Other
(grade 4 unless otherwise noted)
Band
Choir (grades 3-4)
Outreach
Inclusion
Robotics
Strings (grades 2-4)
"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 'aha' moments that fill each day make me smile. There is no better place than St. Catherine’s.”
— Dr. Annie Kapetanis Director of Lower School
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.