Greenwich Academy’s Lower School includes grades Pre-Connecting (PC) through Group IV. Our interdisciplinary curriculum balances academic pursuits with fine arts, foreign language and physical education. It reflects both the Mission of the School and the Philosophy of the Lower School. We believe that

• children thrive in a safe, nurturing, stimulating environment that encourages intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a respect for diverse backgrounds and points of view
• learning should be inquiry-based, student-centered, and collaborative
• a solid foundation of fundamental skills is best acquired through multisensory instruction in a variety of settings: whole group, small group, and one-on-one
• each child possesses a unique learning style and an individual set of abilities, needs, and interests
• the educational program should be a rich and challenging one that encourages students to achieve their highest potential: intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally, and morally
• teachers must model intellectual curiosity and a lifelong passion for learning in order to instill these qualities in students
• a supportive, welcoming community provides the best foundation to foster integrity, ethical behavior, leadership skills, and civic responsibility

The Lower School curriculum provides students with the opportunity for multiple perspectives and greater depth of understanding through integrated, interdisciplinary, sequential units of study, and active hands-on learning. Younger students enjoy concrete learning activities and gradually move on to more abstract, higher-level thinking as they progress through the grades. The curriculum is formed around Essential Questions that organize and focus the key concept to be learned and that immediately engage students in inquiry and investigation. Teachers use a variety of multisensory strategies in whole groups, small groups, or individual instruction to accommodate students’ diverse learning styles. A spiraling curriculum scaffolds students’ learning so that each year students are exposed to a number of concepts that are then re-visited the following year in expanded form and with a shift in emphasis. The specific expectations concerning what students are expected to learn and master each year vary depending on the grade level. Depth of understanding of a small number of skills and concepts in each grade is emphasized over coverage of many curriculum objectives. In this way, meaningful knowledge (vs. surface knowledge or rote learning) allows students to make connections, perceive patterns, and problem solve in order to make sense of information. Effective organization and study skills are also taught in each grade level.

Character education is an organic and integral part of each day in the Lower School.  Students are taught basic human values including kindness, respect for others, equality, generosity and courage, and are guided toward becoming morally responsible, self-disciplined citizens. Using The Responsive Classroom® approach, role-playing and discussions, students learn consistent moral habits, problem solving, decision-making and conflict resolution skills, and how their actions and decisions affect others. Community service projects throughout the year teach students empathy toward others and help develop a sense of civic responsibility. At the end of their Lower School experience, Group IV students assume a leadership position by participating in weekly team-building classes designed to develop their leadership qualities and skills. They also lead bi-monthly Lower School Assemblies.