Lower School

 

EARLY CHILDHOOD
&
LOWER SCHOOL

Scroll down to learn more about Preschool - Grade 5

 

Our
Philosophy

At St. Anne’s, the Lower School experience begins in our Early Childhood program where wonder, curiosity, and a love of learning are nurtured in joyful, courageous ways.




 

 

 

 

 

Developmentally Aligned Curriculum:

Expert educators design engaging, age-appropriate instruction that fosters curiosity, independence, and academic growth across core subjects.

Lower School
at a Glance

Character and Community Focus: 

Emphasis on building a positive sense of self, compassion for others, and responsibility toward the community

Daily Specials and Enrichment: 

Students participate in at least two specials each day, including music, art, physical education, science, and world languages.

Vibrant Learning Environments:

Classrooms and common spaces invite creative expression and hands-on discovery.

Public Speaking and Performance:

Students build confidence and communication skills through regular speaking opportunities, including chapel readings, poetry recitations, and project presentations.

Cross-Age Buddy Program:

Each lower school student is paired with a middle school buddy, creating meaningful relationships across grade levels.

Whole Child Development:

From preschool through Grade 8, children are supported in their cognitive, emotional, artistic, and ethical growth within a joyful, inclusive community that values exploration, kindness, and lifelong learning.

Lower School nurtures intellectual curiosity, compassion, and confident self-expression through a dynamic, developmentally-appropriate program that blends strong academics with rich opportunities for creativity, service, and connection. 

Parent Stories

We absolutely love SAES! Both of our kids began in kindergarten and for each of them it has been a wonderful experience. One of our favorite parts of the school is that each child is met with respect and encouraged to build their autonomy in a nurturing and supportive environment. The school is academically rigorous while also maintaining focus on social and emotional learning and development. We are so happy with and grateful for such a wonderful school and community environment!

The Lower School
Experience


Early Childhood:
At St. Anne’s, our Early Childhood program nurtures curiosity as the foundation of learning, creating a joyful and courageous space where young children begin their journey as lifelong learners.

Lower School:
In Lower School, students grow academically and emotionally through a vibrant curriculum rooted in compassion, fostering empathy, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging in a supportive community.

Early Childhood Education

At St. Anne’s, our Early Childhood program is a joyful and nurturing environment where wonder and curiosity are celebrated as the foundation of lifelong learning. We focus on the whole child, offering rich opportunities for physical, social, emotional, cognitive, artistic, and ethical development through play, exploration, and intentional instruction. Strong relationships between students, teachers, and families create a warm and inclusive community where each child is known, valued, and encouraged to grow with confidence. 

Preschool (Age 3):

Our Preschool program offers a warm, play-based introduction to school that nurtures independence, imagination, and social development. In a child-centric, process-oriented environment, students engage in open-ended, hands-on activities that build self-awareness, empathy, communication skills, and critical thinking. The classroom and adjacent outdoor spaces support exploration and creativity while fostering early friendships and a love of learning, all within the context of a caring community.

Pre-Kindergarten (Age 4):

The Pre-Kindergarten program at St. Anne’s deepens learning through intentional, developmentally appropriate experiences designed to build Kindergarten readiness. Foundational literacy skills are introduced through playful exposure to phonemic awareness and the alphabetic principle, while number sense and early math concepts are woven into daily activities. Students participate in both individual and group learning, engaging in investigative studies, motor-skill development, and creative expression that sharpen cognitive recall, strengthen problem-solving, and promote collaboration.

Kindergarten (Age 5):

In Kindergarten, curiosity takes flight through a vibrant, structured curriculum that bridges early learning with the broader Lower School experience. Building on the social-emotional and academic foundations of Preschool and Pre-K, students gain confidence as readers, writers, mathematicians, and compassionate community members. With access to our campus-wide resources—science lab, library, music and language rooms, and outdoor learning spaces—Kindergarteners are immersed in a rich, integrative environment where their intellectual, creative, and ethical growth is thoughtfully supported.

Grade K-5

At St. Anne’s, our Lower School program (Kindergarten–5) is a vibrant academic environment that fosters intellectual curiosity, personal responsibility, and empathy through developmentally appropriate and engaging learning experiences. Students are immersed in a well-rounded curriculum that emphasizes strong foundations in literacy, math, science, and social studies, complemented by daily enrichment in music, art, physical education, religion, world languages, and outdoor education. Through deep relationships, creative expression, and community engagement, our students grow into confident learners and compassionate citizens.

Grade 1

First grade marks a pivotal academic year where students build fluency in reading and math, develop foundational writing and grammar skills, and explore science and social studies through hands-on learning. Enrichment in music, Spanish, art, P.E., and outdoor education complements their academic journey, while a nurturing community supports social-emotional growth. Through daily literacy instruction, phonics-based word study, and mathematical reasoning, students are guided to become independent thinkers and kind community members.

Grade 2

Second-grade students dive deeper into reading comprehension, writing fluency, and numeracy, while strengthening their grasp on science cycles and community-focused social studies. Hands-on experiments, technology integration, and service learning projects expand their understanding of the world around them. Daily exposure to art, music, Spanish, P.E., and character education nurtures the whole child, reinforcing essential skills and values.

Grade 3

Third grade challenges students to apply critical thinking across disciplines, from multiplication and division in math to literary analysis and structured writing. Students explore local government and community roles in social studies and engage in rich investigations in science. With personal Chromebooks, increased innovation projects, and a strong emphasis on empathy and collaboration, third graders develop independence and deeper academic curiosity.

Grade 4

In fourth grade, students sharpen their skills through multi-step problem solving, advanced reading strategies, and expressive writing across genres. Curriculum integration allows for connections between core subjects and enrichment opportunities like drama, art, and music. Students also step into leadership roles through buddy programs and community projects, building both confidence and compassion.

Grade 5

Fifth grade serves as a bridge to middle school, with heightened academic rigor in research writing, algebraic thinking, U.S. history, and scientific inquiry. Students are given expanded responsibilities, including multiple outdoor overnights, digital literacy projects, and service initiatives that reinforce leadership and ethical decision-making. Through enrichment in both the arts and world languages (Spanish and French), fifth graders emerge as thoughtful, articulate, and capable learners ready for their next educational chapter.

Explore
More!

We are so pleased
that you have arrived!

Adventure into some other areas

Curriculum

Learning Enrichment

A Day in the Life - Early Childhood

A Day in the Life - Grades K - 5

Middle School

Admissions