Learning to read and write is one of the most important milestones in a child’s early school years, and we take that responsibility to heart. Our Language Arts program is built on the Science of Reading, using proven methods that align with how children naturally learn best.

Beginning in 1st grade, students benefit from an added layer of support through our three-section model, which allows us to keep Language Arts class sizes small—no more than 12 students per group. This structure gives teachers the flexibility to group students by skill level and provide targeted, individualized instruction every day.

With a strong focus on phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and more, our approach helps students build the skills they need while also fostering a love of reading and writing. Whether your child is just beginning to explore sounds and letters or diving into more advanced texts, our program is designed to meet them where they are and help them grow with confidence.

At TCS, students begin learning Spanish in Pre-k and continue through 4th grade, laying a strong foundation for language acquisition an engaging way. Our Lower School Spanish teacher brings the language to life through songs, games, stories, and playful routines that make learning both fun and memorable.

Using a teaching method called Teaching with Comprehensible Input (TCI), students are immersed in Spanish through messages they can understand and enjoy, helping them naturally acquire vocabulary and language patterns over time. Rather than memorizing lists of words, students develop their listening and speaking skills by hearing and using Spanish in meaningful, everyday ways.

Along with language, students also explore the vibrant cultures of Spanish-speaking countries around the world. They learn about traditions, holidays, food, music, and more, broadening their global awareness and appreciation for different ways of life.

Spanish in the Lower School is all about connection: to language, to culture, and to the thrill of learning something new.

From their first moments at The Country School, we hope to instill a love of books, reading and story. All Lower School students have weekly library classes and all students are encouraged to borrow books to take home and share with their families. 

Lower School students enjoy regular read-alouds, discuss how to find books of interest to them in the library, and develop the skills and the language needed to talk meaningfully about books and stories. Library classes are interactive; students make predictions, observe character behaviors, and analyze themes in shared texts. Text discussions in library class aim to support the Language Arts instruction of each grade level. 

Additionally, library classes focus on ways to evaluate and share books with others, building a community of readers. Rather than seeing reading as a solitary, independent endeavor, we want our students to build connections and shape relationships through books.

In the Lower School, Social Studies begins with a child’s own experiences and gradually expands outward, starting with “me” and reaching toward “the world.” Through stories, projects, and hands-on exploration, students develop an understanding of how people live, work, and connect across time and place.

Using history and geography as guiding lenses, students explore the foundations of culture, community, and identity. Along the way, they’re introduced to ideas from economics, government, philosophy, religion, and the arts in age-appropriate and meaningful ways.

Each grade level builds on the last:

• Kindergarten: Me and My World
• Grade 1: My School and My Family
• Grade 2: My Community
• Grade 3: Our Community and Beyond
• Grade 4: Regions of Our Country
   

Whether they’re building community maps, interviewing family members, or researching American regions, our students gain tools to ask questions, investigate thoughtfully, and begin to understand their place in the wider world.

Welcome to Lower School Science — where curiosity leads the way and learning comes to life through real-world phenomena!

Each learning journey begins with a question designed to spark wonder and meaningful connections between scientific concepts and students’ everyday experiences. From there, our young scientists dive into open-ended investigations and purposeful, engineering-focused projects.

Learning in our classroom doesn’t stop at the door; it expands into courtyards, gardens, and the world beyond. Every activity is thoughtfully designed to build 21st-century skills and encourage best practices in science. Our dynamic curriculum, tailored for young scientists, lays a strong foundation for success in Upper School and nurtures a lifelong love of discovery.

At The Country School, we believe that every child learns differently—and that’s something to celebrate. In the Lower School, our small class sizes and personalized approach allow us to truly get to know each student and provide the support they need to thrive.

Our Director of Learning Services works closely with our Lower School teachers to support all learners. When a teacher notices a student may need extra support, the Director partners with both the teacher and the family to begin an informal evaluation process. Together, we identify strategies and next steps to help the child grow, always keeping the lines of communication open with parents along the way.

In some cases, a more formal outside evaluation may be recommended to help us better understand a student’s learning profile. When this happens, we thoughtfully incorporate those insights into a learning plan tailored to that child’s needs, one that supports them throughout their journey at TCS.

Whether a child needs a little extra reinforcement or ongoing support for a mild to moderate learning difference, our caring team works hand-in-hand with families to ensure every student feels confident, capable, and seen.