Lower School Technology Pages

Lower School

Visitors will notice a cheerful hum of activity as they enter the Lower School. Whether entering the library, the computer lab, or the music and art classrooms, they will see children happily engaged in their learning.

One of the first schools to introduce Spanish at an early age, Country Day remains a leader in offering an innovative curriculum centered on language development, with academic skills integrated around thematic earning topics. An integrated learning approach quickly engages children and allows faculty to maximize creativity using cutting edge teaching methods and resources. Spanning the first six years of a child's education, the Lower School program places great emphasis on developing rigorous academic foundation skills, as well as athletic, social, and emotional development. Each classroom is a small community, and each child an important citizen with responsibilities and privileges.

Nurtured by their teachers, our Lower School students revel in opportunities to explore, discover, and create.

The Rationale for Early Language Instruction

Numerous studies have shown that the acquisition of a second language is more effective if taught before age nine. Furthermore, early foreign language study has a positive effect on mastering basic skills in other disciplines and generates positive cross-cultural attitudes. At Country Day, Spanish is introduced in kindergarten and continued through the Lower and Middle Schools. In sixth grade, students may choose to study Spanish, French, Mandarin Chinese or Latin. Our graduates not only learn a second language but also gain a better understanding of the grammar and syntax of their own language. In addition, they are prepared to acquire a third language during their high school and college years.