Annie Wright Lower School Brochure

Lower School

Preschool - Grade 5

827 N Tacoma Ave, Tacoma, WA 98403 | 253.272.2216 | www.aw.org

About Us

ANNIE WRIGHT LOWER SCHOOL Mission

Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative and responsible citizens for a global society.

Annie Wright Lower School provides an inquiry-based education as unique as your child. It is a place where boys and girls in Preschool to Grade 5 discover and develop their passions and individual learning styles in a school with international standards of excellence. Our Lower School teachers discover, nurture, and celebrate the unique gifts of every student. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP), enhanced by our approach to skills development, engages kids and makes them excited about learning.

In addition to this outstanding academic curriculum, our program emphasizes character and social-emotional development. Annie Wright is much more than a school, it’s a community­­—and we welcome you to learn more about us!

Learning Concepts THROUGH INQUIRY

We teach subject area classes within trandisciplinary units of inquiry. This approach is unique to the PYP and brings relevance, authenticity and connection to student learning, and focuses on the development of the whole child, both in the classroom and beyond.

Core subjects—language arts, math, science and social studies—are integrated in lessons throughout the day. In addition, Lower School students enjoy “Specials” such as art, library & ICT, music, PE and Spanish.

ART

Students develop artistic skills in a variety of ways.

In the visual and performing arts, our goal is to offer imaginative outlets and to support students through unique means of expression, encouraging them to explore new ideas, subject matters, and cultures, and to experiment with a variety of creative media and techniques.

LIBRARY & ICT

Our library and technology lab are a hub for learning, reading, research, discussion and collaboration that incorporate approaches to learning that are key within the IB. Information & Communications Technology (ICT) is a tool for learning and includes digital citizenship to guide students to use technology safely and responsibly.

This integrated approach fosters a love of reading and supports the inquiry based curriculum.

MUSIC

Students create and respond to music through dance, singing, instruments, composition, active listening activities, technology, and related arts.

Inspired by Orff methodology, lessons incorporate elements of play, inquiry, creative and critical thinking, as well as an appreciation of music from other cultures. Throughout their Lower School experience, students have opportunities to play a variety of instruments

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

We introduce students to the value of physical activities for health, enjoyment, challenge, selfexpression and social interaction. Students receive an introduction to skills for sports such as volleyball, soccer, basketball and more.

We place an added emphasis on swimming and water safety. Students participate in swim class in our new competitive length pool. In the early years, students learn flotation and breathing techniques, quickly building confidence in the water. By Grades 4 and 5, students define their swim skills and focus on water safety.

SPANISH

Acquisition of more than one language enriches personal development, international mindedness and the ability to use language as a tool to listen, think, discuss and reflect. Starting in Preschool students hear stories, learn songs, and engage in movement activities in Spanish with a dedicated Spanish teacher. Instruction increases through the grades to promote proficiency, focusing on communication and culture.

Campus Highlights

ANNIE WRIGHT LOWER SCHOOL

BUS SERVICE

drivers are well-trained, highly personable & safety-minded

SCHOOL NURSE

available every day for first aid, accidents & minor health problems

DINING HALL

delicious meals in the company of friends & faculty

OUTDOOR PLAY

our playground overlooks the Puget Sound & includes a nature play space

TECHNOLOGY

students enjoy learning with technology at their fingertips

SWIMMING POOL

students build skills & confidence in our pool

KEMPER THEATRE

plays, the talent show & more happen here

GYMNASIUMS

three gyms across campus provide plenty of space for activity

JAMES MEMORIAL FIELD

lacrosse, cross country, flag football, soccer & more on our all-weather turf field

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PYP

ANNIE WRIGHT

Annie Wright is an International Baccalaureate World School and is fully authorized to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the Lower School. The PYP is a flexible curriculum that addresses children’s needs holistically, focusing on developing them as inquirers, both in the classroom and the outside world.

We believe that a strong, inquiry-based curriculum is essential for our mission to cultivate individual learners to become well-educated, creative, and responsible citizens for a global society, and so that our students may thrive in the 21st century. Students acquire knowledge, explore concepts, and learn and apply skills in a program that is relevant and challenging. They learn how to learn and how to take responsible action to create a better world.

I’ve heard a lot about IB. What exactly is it?

The IB, short for International Baccalaureate, is a nonprofit organization founded in Switzerland in 1968.

Its mission is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better world through understanding and respect. Originally developed for children of diplomats, IB programs, currently offered to more than one million students in 144 countries, encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners. These programs also provide a framework to assess performance according to world standards.

How is the PYP really different from a standard curriculum for young students?

Like many solid programs, the PYP includes language (reading, writing and communicating), math, science, social studies, arts, and physical education.

The most distinctive feature of the PYP curriculum is its focus on six themes that students explore across different subjects:

Who we are Where we are in place and time How we express ourselves How the world works How we organize ourselves Sharing the planet

The essential components of learning include: • acquiring knowledge • exploring concepts • gaining skills • developing attitudes for learning • taking action The six themes form what is called a Program of Inquiry. In this program students learn through engaging and authentic experiences.

Beyond just academics, the PYP also addresses students’ well-being, encouraging independence, active learning and strong personal values.

Students complete the program in Grade 5 with an in-depth, collaborative project that incorporates global issues and prepares them for the IB Middle Years Programme in Grades 6–8.

It sounds good in theory, but how does it play out in the classroom?

Here’s an example: Annie Wright Grade 4 students study food distribution, exploring the PYP theme “Sharing the Planet.” Their study includes research, action and reflection. After auditing Annie Wright’s level of food waste, students support a schoolwide composting program. Students also promote awareness of food waste and hunger through visual art, songs and videos.

Would my kids get the same experience in any PYP school?

In a word: no. The PYP provides a framework for inquiry and conceptually-based learning, and schools that have adopted the PYP share its core curricula and philosophies. At Annie Wright, however, we embrace students as individuals in small classes, where they enjoy hands-on learning in a program enhanced by a variety of special subjects in a strong and nurturing environment. The result is the Annie Wright student is a compassionate, knowledgeable and globally-minded problem solver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PYP AT ANNIE WRIGHT AT WWW.AW.ORG/PYP

Extended Day Program = Extended Opportunities Annie Wright’s Extended Day Program is an extension of the Lower School curriculum. We offer Extended Day to families before school, starting at 7:00 am, and after school until 6:00 pm.

The program provides students time to socialize, study or participate in age-appropriate activities. Annie Wright’s wide array of after school offerings encourage students to explore unique interests, have fun and discover their talents. Popular after-school offerings for K-5 include:

Arts Theatre >> Visual Arts >> Music >> Dance >> Writing >>

Athletics Basketball Soccer >> Cross Country & Track >> Volleyball >> Soccer >> >>

We can't wait to meet you!

Please reach out to Nick Zosel-Johnson to learn more about Annie Wright Schools and the admission process, to schedule a campus tour or to ask any questions you may have.

Nick Zosel-Johnson Lower School Admissions Director 253.284.8602 | nick_zosel-johnson@aw.org

827 N Tacoma Ave, Tacoma WA 98403 | www.aw.org