Lower School
Interior Hero
Our Lower School, pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, gets students off to a strong start towards being successful in school, in college, and later as global leaders and thinkers by featuring:
- Strong academic foundation in core subjects
- A safe, nurturing community
- Small classes that allow close individual attention
- A child-centered environment which fosters an enthusiasm for learning
- A flexible, inquiry-based curriculum
- Significant hands-on project work
- Art, music, Spanish, science, library, technology, and physical education taught by specialists
![Fifth Graders Are Promoted to Middle School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749767028/oregon/fj6sw73i04l7uylutaol/ls-5th-class-photo-2025-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749767028/oregon/fj6sw73i04l7uylutaol/ls-5th-class-photo-2025-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749767028/oregon/fj6sw73i04l7uylutaol/ls-5th-class-photo-2025-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1749767028/oregon/fj6sw73i04l7uylutaol/ls-5th-class-photo-2025-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749767028/oregon/fj6sw73i04l7uylutaol/ls-5th-class-photo-2025-1.jpg","width":1600}])
The class of 2032 officially became sixth graders yesterday with a joyful promotion celebration.
![Lower Schoolers Advance to Their Next Grade]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749769487/oregon/zdyuc7y399afci5h2u0g/ls-celebration-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749769487/oregon/zdyuc7y399afci5h2u0g/ls-celebration-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749769487/oregon/zdyuc7y399afci5h2u0g/ls-celebration-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1749769487/oregon/zdyuc7y399afci5h2u0g/ls-celebration-1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749769487/oregon/zdyuc7y399afci5h2u0g/ls-celebration-1.jpg","width":1600}])
Lower School students were promoted to their next grade at a joyful assembly on June 11.
![Family Fun Night Enjoyed by Lower School Community]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749769084/oregon/tjhglz94ncif3waxkigd/FFNthumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749769084/oregon/tjhglz94ncif3waxkigd/FFNthumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749769084/oregon/tjhglz94ncif3waxkigd/FFNthumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749769084/oregon/tjhglz94ncif3waxkigd/FFNthumbnail.png","width":1000}])
Thank you to everyone who planned and came to the 2025 Family Fun Night, it was a wonderful coming together of the Lower School community.
![Upper and Lower Schoolers Team up for Science Activity]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749750048/oregon/heajzvppyz7deri87qqb/Soilthumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749750048/oregon/heajzvppyz7deri87qqb/Soilthumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749750048/oregon/heajzvppyz7deri87qqb/Soilthumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749750048/oregon/heajzvppyz7deri87qqb/Soilthumbnail.png","width":1000}])
Upper School students and fifth graders did a science activity together, testing water samples from the stream at Raleigh Park.
![Award-Winning Author Shares Her Story with Lower Schoolers]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1748556161/oregon/m0qig7thfjcop4dwlmbl/Nuiauthorthumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1748556161/oregon/m0qig7thfjcop4dwlmbl/Nuiauthorthumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1748556161/oregon/m0qig7thfjcop4dwlmbl/Nuiauthorthumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1748556161/oregon/m0qig7thfjcop4dwlmbl/Nuiauthorthumbnail.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1748556161/oregon/m0qig7thfjcop4dwlmbl/Nuiauthorthumbnail.png","width":1600}])
Nui Wilson read from her first book and talked with students about her writing.
![From Teammates to Coaches: Lower School Lacrosse Coaches Share Special Bond]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747343678/oregon/aqzuus7k8caj3zhzov2q/KristenandLanathumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747343678/oregon/aqzuus7k8caj3zhzov2q/KristenandLanathumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747343678/oregon/aqzuus7k8caj3zhzov2q/KristenandLanathumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747343678/oregon/aqzuus7k8caj3zhzov2q/KristenandLanathumbnail.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1747343678/oregon/aqzuus7k8caj3zhzov2q/KristenandLanathumbnail.png","width":1600}])
Kristen Zimmer and Lana Weber share what makes their journey to becoming lacrosse coaches so special.
![Lower Schoolers Explore and Learn During Discovery Day]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747267932/oregon/gtopmixsuf3buhujf5gk/DiscoveryDaythumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747267932/oregon/gtopmixsuf3buhujf5gk/DiscoveryDaythumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747267932/oregon/gtopmixsuf3buhujf5gk/DiscoveryDaythumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747267932/oregon/gtopmixsuf3buhujf5gk/DiscoveryDaythumbnail.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1747267932/oregon/gtopmixsuf3buhujf5gk/DiscoveryDaythumbnail.png","width":1600}])
Parents led students through a variety of learning opportunities on Discovery Day, from science reactions to making their own pasta.
![Fifth Graders Appreciate Nature and Build Connections on Orcas Island]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746206966/oregon/apqq2uxx3svxcwfy64az/CampOrkila2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746206966/oregon/apqq2uxx3svxcwfy64az/CampOrkila2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746206966/oregon/apqq2uxx3svxcwfy64az/CampOrkila2.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1746206966/oregon/apqq2uxx3svxcwfy64az/CampOrkila2.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746206966/oregon/apqq2uxx3svxcwfy64az/CampOrkila2.png","width":1600}])
Fifth graders explored Orcas Island and enjoyed team building in a beautiful setting.
![What Does It Take to Be a Changemaker? Second Graders Show Us How]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746143502/oregon/y2rwonue3jh9mirvdjl0/Changemakerthumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746143502/oregon/y2rwonue3jh9mirvdjl0/Changemakerthumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746143502/oregon/y2rwonue3jh9mirvdjl0/Changemakerthumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1746143502/oregon/y2rwonue3jh9mirvdjl0/Changemakerthumbnail.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746143502/oregon/y2rwonue3jh9mirvdjl0/Changemakerthumbnail.png","width":1600}])
Changemakers are brave, patient, and honest: second-graders learn character traits and show their parents what they've learned through skits and songs.
![Upper Schoolers Learn About Themselves While Helping Teach Younger Students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746120435/oregon/eiijbiwipihjcbvbsiir/Possiblethumbnail_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746120435/oregon/eiijbiwipihjcbvbsiir/Possiblethumbnail_1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746120435/oregon/eiijbiwipihjcbvbsiir/Possiblethumbnail_1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1746120435/oregon/eiijbiwipihjcbvbsiir/Possiblethumbnail_1.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1746120435/oregon/eiijbiwipihjcbvbsiir/Possiblethumbnail_1.png","width":1600}])
The Lower School Intern program during Winterim reminds older students what it's like to be a child in school.