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Lower School (1st-5th)

The Lower School (1st-5th Grade) expands on the foundation laid in Maternelle. Lower School follows the national French curriculum (Education Nationale), the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme in a French immersion setting.

The IB is used as a framework for teaching the five pillars of the French curriculum.

  • Language to think and communicate
  • Methods and tools for learning
  • Personal development and citizenship
  • Natural systems and technology
  • Understanding the world

From early preschool for 2 ½ year-olds in Early Childhood/Maternelle through 5th grade, all teachers are native speakers. They collaborate with specialists across all subject areas to help students develop strong relationships with others, build communication skills in both French and English and prepare for more structured, systematic learning in Middle School.

Lower School Learning and Programs

Language Arts

Through reading and interacting with a wide variety of children’s literature, students will build their skills in language arts.

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Mathematics

Instruction in mathematics helps students develop an aptitude for problem-solving, research, and reasoning.

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Science

In science, students take a hands-on approach to research and investigate objects and systems, ask questions, and analyze data.

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Specials

All Lower School students take art, music, physical education, and visit the library weekly.

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Field Studies

Field studies provide our students with the opportunity to observe and experience real-world science processes in a natural setting.

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A photo of four students working together in a group to get to know each other
A student reads a map
A photo of Jennifer's class standing in a line to measure 18 meters
A student presents to his classmates about minerals
A student wearing a green ribbon works on math
A fifth grader teachers three preschool students how to play a dice game
Edouard Manceau signs a book for a fifth-grade student
A student practices a script into the microphone