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Lush green bushes and a blue walkway lead to the entrance of a modern school building with %22Lower School%22 signage, set against a backdrop of tall trees and a clear sky.
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Seven children sit on the grass in front of a handmade %22Welcome to Grits & Greens%22 sign, with a water tower visible in the background.
A teacher leans over two students in the foreground as they examine something in a small container, while other students work at desks in the blurred background.
A young boy in a denim jacket slides down a blue playground slide, with a fenced-in grassy area and playground equipment in the background.
In the foreground, children and an instructor engage in an art project with colorful supplies, while the background reveals a classroom adorned with artwork and art supplies.
A young girl in a blue dress sits on a chair in the foreground, looking up at a woman in a sparkly jacket who is also seated, with cubbies holding backpacks and personal items visible in the blurred background.

Welcome to St. Andrew’s Lower School!

The Lower School is where the journey begins. Here, students build strong academic foundations through applied, hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and inspire discovery. Our student centered approach encourages children to ask questions, explore ideas, and understand why things work the way they do. As learners, students make meaningful connections within our school and beyond while developing the confidence and skills to thrive.

The St. Andrew’s Experience

At St. Andrew’s, every child is known, seen, and valued as an important member of our school community. Strong relationships with teachers create the foundation for students to be challenged, supported, and encouraged to reach their fullest potential. Small class sizes, dedicated educators, and trained specialists foster curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

From PreK-4 through Fourth Grade, students learn with both an English Language Arts teacher and a Math, Science, and Social Studies teacher, educators who specialize in their respective fields. This unique model provides students with expert instruction while deepening the meaningful relationships they build with caring adults across our community.

Our instruction is grounded in a constructivist approach to learning, where students actively engage with concepts through applied, hands-on experiences. Through a center-based model, students have multiple opportunities to explore, practice, and deepen their understanding of new concepts in both Mathematics and English Language Arts. This approach encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful learning that extends beyond memorization to true understanding.

Early Childhood

In PreK-3 and PreK-4, curiosity is nurtured, confidence is built, and the foundation for future learning begins.

Through a play based, center-driven approach, children engage with their environment, explore new ideas, and build understanding through meaningful experiences. This personalized model allows students to learn at their own pace, follow their natural curiosity, and develop the foundational skills that prepare them for a successful transition into the elementary years.

Like our older students, Pre-K learners participate in six enrichment classes each week, providing opportunities to explore a wide range of interests and talents. They also engage in our signature Passport to Knowledge unit of study, an interdisciplinary learning experience that culminates in a special family showcase at the end of the third quarter.

As a Bright from the Start certified program, we recognize the importance of balancing learning and development. Designated rest time is built into each day, ensuring students have the opportunity to recharge and return ready to learn, play, and grow.

Elementary Education

In Kindergarten through Fourth Grade, students build upon foundational skills while developing a deeper understanding of the world around them. Each day begins with a student-led morning news show, followed by morning meeting, where students strengthen connections with peers and teachers.

We use the Responsive Classroom approach to foster a strong sense of community, belonging, and shared expectations across all grade levels. This consistent framework, paired with a focus on student agency, creates a positive and supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to grow as thinkers and problem solvers.

Across grades, students engage in rigorous, hands-on learning that sharpens critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Each grade level participates in Passport to Knowledge, a culminating interdisciplinary exhibition where students design, create, and share artifacts that showcase their learning around a shared theme.

Character development is intentionally woven into daily instruction through the IB Learner Profile and The Positivity Project. In addition, each grade partners with a community service organization each year, helping students understand the importance of contributing to their classroom, school, and the broader community.

Lower School Insights

Discover stories that showcase curiosity, creativity, and early academic foundations in our Lower School community.

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IB at St. Andrew’s: A Future-Ready Education

How do you design learning to empower students to be able to “connect the dots”? Or, even more profound, how do you empower students to design the dots to be connected? The pace of change and the accessibility of information can feel overwhelming but learning the skills to synthesize information, think critically, and use their skills to make connections and apply learning is the hallmark of St. Andrew’s education...

Find Out More about IB at St. Andrew’s: A Future-Ready Education
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A Love for Arts & Athletics Starts Early

In the Lower School at St. Andrew’s, meaningful learning is rooted in experience. From Pre-K3 through fourth grade, students engage in arts and athletics that not only reinforce academic concepts but also build creativity, collaboration, and confidence. Through coordinated efforts between enrichment teachers, classroom teachers, and after-school programs, students are given diverse opportunities to explore their interests and develop foundational skills. These hands-on experiences help spark a lasting passion for learning—creating the kinds of memorable moments that stay with students long after they leave the Lower School.

Find Out More about A Love for Arts & Athletics Starts Early
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S P A C E  The Other Teacher

St. Andrew’s has always valued the impact our physical space has on our students, as evidenced by our carefully curated campus design. Stone and wood bridges, buildings opening onto intentional outdoor classroom spaces, and a tidal creek running through the middle of campus highlight the value placed on instruction that is active and engaged...

Find Out More about S P A C E  The Other Teacher