Lower School

The Lower School grades of Park City Academy consisting of grades 1-5, centers on the continued development of the whole child academically, socially, physically, and emotionally.  Our vision is taken directly from the school’s vision statement: to develop leaders who are strong in character, equipped for success, confident in their identity and committed to truth and service.  Learning facts, concepts, and the development of higher level thinking skills is essential.  Equally important is the physical, emotional, and character development of a child.  Integrating character development into the lower school classroom builds a cornerstone for a successful life.  We believe that learning to cooperate with classmates, being respectful, honest, kind, and hard-working are hallmarks of development and fundamental to achievement. 

The motto, “learning is a joy!” is easily seen in the classrooms.  A typical day in the energetic lower school classroom includes a variety of stimulating hands-on learning activities, balanced with solid routines and procedures.  The lower school experience emphasizes a love for learning and mastering the fundamentals of the core subjects: mathematics, science, language arts, history, and geography.   We work to challenge a child’s academic strengths and build up valleys.  Each classroom is specially designed for the developmental age of the children.  Small classroom sizes (no more than 18), create a positive, nurturing environment, and exceptional, imaginative learning activities combine together to enhance the learning atmosphere. 

Classroom teachers plan quarterly field trips that enrich the educational experience.  In addition, each classroom has dedicated Outdoor Education days coordinated with the Outdoor Education Director according to the developmental needs of the age group. First grade has one Outdoor Education Day and may go ice skating at the Park City Skating Oval; 2nd grade has two and so on.  Furthermore, the fifth grade class takes a trip to Washington D.C. every other spring to culminate the lower school emphasis on the foundations of U. S. history and government.

One area in particular that the lower school strives to do is to work closely with the teaching specialists in art, music, and Spanish integrating subject areas together to create a memorable and unique learning experience for the children.  For example, while studying Chinese Dynasties in fourth grade history the art specialist may teach the children the skill of Chinese calligraphy.  A few days later, the creative efforts of the children are displayed on white paper kimonos that decorate the hallways.  This ‘cross-curricular’ approach deepens the learning experience and expands cultural awareness. 

Learning really is a joy at Park City Academy!

Janice Brewster
Assistant Head for Program