OUR LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Our Approach to Elementary Teaching and Learning at Windermere Prep

Our elementary school, known as “Lower School” at Windermere Prep, is centered around building confidence, creativity, and the love of learning in every child. We encourage their natural curiosity by asking meaningful questions and discovering answers. Our students strengthen their critical thinking skills and develop a love of learning that they carry with them throughout their lives.

Lower School facilities have been designed to provide a safe environment while maintaining an open and inviting feel. From our dedicated playground to our own library specializing in materials for younger minds, our investment in the educational environment that surrounds our students is clear.

Our Lower School is a vibrant elementary educational community that promotes growth, encourages learning and exploration, and encourages students to partake in all that WPS offers.

What Our Lower School Students Study

Our highly qualified, dedicated teachers deliver an integrated curriculum that fosters creativity, teamwork, and independence while meeting grade-level standards. We structure our daily routines around reading, writing, phonics, spelling, mathematics, science, social studies, life skills, and character development. Students also participate in enrichment opportunities that include the visual arts, theatre, dance, music, band, chorus, Spanish, Dream Lab, physical education, and the Knowledge Center.

Special Lower School Traditions

As part of Lower School student life  at WPS, we have a few big and memorable traditions.

• The Laker Learning Buddy Program: “To teach is to learn twice.” Such is the rationale behind our Laker Learning Buddies tradition. Windermere Preparatory Lower School and Middle School students are paired with another student, creating a relationship where Buddies learn together, support each other, and grow together over the years. They meet monthly and participate in collaborative projects and activities. These meetings extend the curriculum and enhance learning for all students in the Windermere Preparatory School community.

• The Kindergarten “Starting My Story” Ceremony: We celebrate our students for completing the Early Childhood component of their academic journey. Our lavish celebration centers around the students, in their caps and gowns, brilliantly sharing their learning during the ceremony. This promotion ceremony is a cherished event in our community and one that will be a fond memory for the years to come.

• The Fifth Grade “Crossing the Bridge” Ceremony: Fifth grade signifies the end of Lower School at WPS. At the time of the “Cross the Bridge” Ceremony, our students will have spent eight years preparing to “cross the bridge” literally and figuratively over to Middle School. Our students present personal reflections of their learning during this ceremony, and members of the Middle School student body welcome them. They receive a red star pin that signifies their completion of Lower School, and they wear it proudly as the first pin on their formal dress day blazer — a requirement of Middle and High School.