LS Curriculum

She is filled with

wonder

Agnes Irwin’s Lower School program provides a joyful, intellectual learning environment, designed just for girls. Here, we know there is no one right way to learn — and our curriculum is designed to meet the individual needs of each student. We encourage girls to notice what’s around them, discover connections, and explore possibilities. When girls leave Lower School, they will be empowered to take risks and ask questions, and prepared for the exciting challenges that await them in Middle School.

The Agnes Irwin School

We are

intentional about leadership

WE KNOW THAT EVERY GIRL CAN LEAD.

That’s why our girls learn to see themselves as leaders from the first day of PreK — and why we created our Living Leadership in the Lower School program, or L3.

Developed by Agnes Irwin faculty, our Center for the Advancement of Girls, and Bryn Mawr College researchers, L3 helps our youngest girls learn to see themselves as leaders. The program, which is integrated at every grade level, gives girls a broad understanding of who a leader is and what a leader does, creating a strong sense of leadership self-efficacy.

Our proprietary Leadership Toolkit© is a physical toolbox that focuses on nine key attributes of a 21st-century leader, making those abstract concepts more tangible for young learners.

Living Leadership in the Lower School

ATTRIBUTES OF A LOWER SCHOOL LEADER

Responsibility “I know what to do and I do it.”

Honesty “I am truthful to myself and others.”

Communication/Listening “I listen and speak to others thoughtfully.”

Reflective Thinking “I think about what I’ve done and learn a lesson from it. I think about what I’m going to do and make a good choice.”

Problem Solving “When I don’t know what to do, I figure it out.”

Collaboration/Cooperation “I work well with others to get something done.”

Kindness “I care about others.”

Independent Mindedness “I think and act for myself. I’m not afraid to be different.”

Resilience “When things don’t go my way, I bounce back.”

A day in the life

of an AIS Lower School student

CORE ACADEMIC PROGRAM

• Math Investigations

• Balanced Literacy Approach: Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, Fundations, and Word Study

• Social Studies: Inquiry Journeys Science

• Co-curricular: Art, Music, PE, Spanish, Library, iWonder, and Wellness

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS BY GRADE

LEVEL

• PreK: Animal Research

• Kindergarten: Invention Convention

• First Grade: Author’s Tea

• Second Grade: Thanksgiving Balloon Parade

• Third Grade: Maker’s Fair

• Fourth Grade: Notable Women

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE

We understand the unique needs of working families. That’s why we have early drop off, starting at 7:30 a.m., and offer After Session in the afternoons. Because even at the end of the day, our girls have the power to do more. Explore more. And learn more.

AFTER SESSION

After Session is a convenient after-school program that provides an enriching and structured experience for Lower School students, and is available to Lower School girls from 3 to 6 p.m. on any school day, as well as parent conference days. After Session is taught by an experienced teacher who designs a variety of planned activities that include arts and crafts, cooking, computer time, and reading. Homework supervision/quiet time, free play and snack are offered daily. Financial assistance is available for students currently receiving financial aid.

PreK and Kindergarten

THERE’S MORE TO PLAY THAN MEETS THE EYE Research shows that play is critical to a child’s learning, growth, and later achievement — especially when that playtime is sustained and includes teacher participation and interaction.

Early Childhood Education at AIS balances challenging academic, teacherdirected activities with structured and unstructured student-driven time. During play time, girls are free to set their own pace and make their own choices under the observation of their teachers, who may ask questions or make comments with the goal of expanding ideas, deepening involvement, or encouraging peers to join an activity. Much is learned about each student’s interests, personal development and skill levels through questions and observations like these, and teachers adapt classroom instruction accordingly.

So whether they’re painting at easels, inspecting a bird’s nest, reading 1:1 with a teacher, cooking dinner in a play kitchen, or building the world’s tallest block tower, our PreKindergarten and Kindergarten students are learning, problem solving, expanding their vocabulary, thinking critically, exploring, and having fun.

The iWonder Lab

In the iWonder lab you will find students engaged in design thinking, making, tinkering, and engineering — with circuitry kits, codeable robots, electronics, and loose parts.

It’s where discoveries are made and new solutions to real-world problems are found. Learn more at agnesirwin.org/academics/innovation

Meet the Director

of the Lower School

The Agnes Irwin School Core Values

Our Core Values are the essence of our community and the code by which we live— the principles upon which we make our decisions. They are the heart and soul of The Agnes Irwin School.

LEAD WITH CHARACTER We are courageous leaders who model empathy and compassion. We embody honesty, kindness, and personal integrity in all that we say and do.

FOSTER TRUST AND COMMUNITY We build trust through openness and understanding fostering supportive relationships, deep connections, safe risk-taking, and the space to be our best selves.

STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE We encourage and support each other to tenaciously reach our fullest potential as we demonstrate resilience and champion greatness in all our pursuits.

NURTURE PASSIONS AND WELLBEING We nurture a love of learning and academic success by cultivating individual passions and the pursuit of our own unique path, supporting the whole person in wellness and wellbeing.

RESPECT AND CELEBRATE ALL We treat all with dignity and respect, welcoming differences in backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone is valued, contributions are celebrated, and community is cherished.

Lower School Director Melanie Slezak brings over three decades of experience and unwavering passion for education to her role. She considers her 36 years at AIS a “calling,” in which she has found immense joy and pride in both her students and the school. Throughout her tenure, Melanie’s contributions have extended well beyond the classroom. She has twice attended the TCRWP at Columbia University, engaged as an iFellow in our three-year Legacy through Leadership program, and played a prominent role in the development of the Living Leadership in the LS program, which included work to develop the Leadership Toolkit. Leading into her new role, Melanie held the position of LS Dean for two years, acting as an advocate and trusted liaison between teachers, students, and the Director. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and Master of Education Degree, both from the University of Delaware. Melanie is the proud mother of one son and one daughter, who is a member of the AIS Class of 2011. She is an animal lover, avid gardener, enjoys long walks, reading, and finds reasons for gratitude every day.