Various grade levels will perform a program for parents and their fellow students at times throughout the year. These presentations provide students the opportunity to present to a large audience in the Harvey M. Meyerhoff Theater.
The Lower School organic garden helps to provide a context for learning across many grade levels. First graders measure plots and divide seeds while third graders explore the history and uses of 17th and 18th century crops.
One of the benefits of a K-12 school is the opportunity for partnerships across different grade levels. From our earliest years, the benefits of being mentored and of mentoring are part of the Park experience.
The Park School Library is fortunate to have an award-winning children's book author on its staff — Laura Amy Schlitz.
Park's task is to engage children in experiences that will encourage and sustain their innate curiosity and joy in learning.
Children learn and retain information best when they see the connections among ideas. The Lower School curriculum is structured around thematic studies that weave together history, social studies, geography, literature, science, math, and the arts. For example, fifth graders explore the medieval world, construct catapults, investigate medieval trades and customs, and perform Lower School librarian Laura Schlitz's Newbery Award winning monologues depicting the lives of medieval children. Through the integrated study of a particular theme, students hone their math, writing and conceptual skills as they develop a rounded and rich perspective.
In addition to teaching fundamental skills, our teachers encourage Lower School students to become independent thinkers, responsible for their own work. Classrooms serve as model communities where ideas are discussed, differences in perspectives are welcomed, and people work cooperatively. Students learn first how to act effectively as members of the classroom community, and proceed through Lower School participating in the greater school community and beyond.