BRENTWOOD SCHOOL // WEST CAMPUS // K-5
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THE WEST CAMPUS B R ENT WOO D SC H OO L LOWER SC H OO L Kindergarten through 5th Grade
Beautifully landscaped, lush, green, and vibrant, Brentwood’s West Campus is the perfect place to learn—and to be inspired. 300 Students Approximately 44 students in each grade 44 Faculty Fifteen Master Teachers are responsible for the core curriculum, with additional faculty members specializing in science, math, music, art, physical education, and technology. Faculty and students are supported by a counselor, a nurse, a learning specialist, a service learning coordinator, and 12 teaching associates.
BRENTWOOD VALUES THE ESSENTIAL INTEGRATION OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.
Housed on its own 2.5 acre campus, the Lower School includes a central threestory building with 15 classrooms; a library; a computer lab; a modern science facility; art and music facilities; an arts and athletics complex; a soccer and football field, basketball court, and other outdoor recreational facilities; and a separate and secured Kindergarten area with tables, grass area, and play equipment. Nearby are Brentwood’s Middle and Upper Schools, and Lower School students benefit from the continuity of curriculum and approach that comes from being part of a well articulated K-12 experience. Core Values TRUST • RESPECT • RESPONSIBILITY • HONESTY • CARING • COMMUNITY • DIVERSITY
THE LOWER SCHOOL CREED THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DAY. WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THIS DAY TO USE AS WE CHOOSE. WHAT WE DO TODAY IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT CAN CHANGE WHAT TOMORROW BRINGS. TRUST, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, HONESTY, CARING, AND DIVERSITY ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE OUR DAYS ARE PRICELESS.
“BRENTWOOD SCHOOL HAS TAUGHT ME TO PURSUE WHATEVER I WANT, TO TAKE RISKS, TO TRY NEW THINGS, AND TO LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES.”
A THOUGHTFUL BALANCE Of all the things that an education can provide, nothing is more important than helping students find balance in their lives—between work and play, between mind and body, between head and heart. Brentwood is a challenging yet supportive environment, an endlessly stimulating and engaging place where children feel safe and secure as they engage a world full of new people and new ideas. The emphasis is on cultivating a positive sense of self, encouraging children’s natural curiosity to help them grasp concepts and develop problem-solving skills. They learn to find the balance that leads them to become joyous, caring, independent, creative, skilled, and adventuresome students.
THE CORE CURRICULUM While there are some things that every educated person should know and some skills that any educated person must acquire, the simple acquisition of skills or knowledge alone does not make one a competent reader, writer, problem solver, or thinker. Brentwood students also learn to think—critically, creatively, and for themselves. And they have many opportunities to experience and to express the unique joy that comes from learning to learn.
Beyond English, languages past and present are a part of a Brentwood education. In the 5th Grade, students take twelve-week introductory courses in Mandarin Chinese, French, and Spanish to accompany the theme of immigration. In the 6th Grade, all students study Latin for the full year, enriching their study of ancient civilizations.
At Brentwood, learning is a social activity where educators encourage children to discuss, to share, and to discover together. True learning is not a passive process, and the thematic program created exclusively by Brentwood faculty is designed to be hands-on and minds-on. Whether they are exploring Los Angeles or journeying around the world, visiting a one-room schoolhouse in the Wild, Wild West, or creating a dream speech that will turn into a service learning project, Brentwood students are engaged in a vibrant learning experience.
Mathematical literacy is also essential to a balanced and complete education. Brentwood students develop a solid foundation in the abstract truths of mathematics and an ability to use math in real-world, problemsolving situations. The entire K-6 mathematics curriculum is guided by the standards established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Brentwood students acquire the tools they will use throughout their lives, whether they are calculating travel to various planets at the speed of light, their gains and losses in the Stock Market game, the tip on a dinner check, or creating a business model for a charitable organization.
All the while, the fundamentals provide a foundation, beginning with the basics of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. In addition, Brentwood students learn to use language in the real world, to express thoughts and emotions, to exchange ideas, to persuade, and to entertain. Students explore a wide range of classical and contemporary literature specifically chosen to complement the theme they are studying at the time.
Brentwood’s science program is designed to nurture our natural sense of wonder at the world around us. Children study life, physical, and earth sciences with an emphasis on real-life, hands-on experience and on connecting science to other disciplines. Through the study of science, Brentwood students not only learn how to think analytically, they also develop a deeper perspective of the world we live in.
And through social studies, Brentwood students gain perspective on all people— past and present—with whom we share our world. Once again, a thematic approach links history, economics, the study of ancient and modern cultures and geography with the literature, music, art, writing, mathematics, and science components of the curriculum. Brentwood teaches students to be active, confident, and thoughtful users of technology as they creatively and logically complete projects, address challenges, and solve problems. Using an integrated approach, students learn to incorporate technology responsibly into their lives. Each classroom is equipped with computers and SMART Panels, and the school has a separate computer lab. Students in grades K through 5 also have laptops and/or iPads available in their homerooms.
“THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT MAKE PEOPLE UNIQUE: A TALENT, A SKILL, THE WAY THEY LOOK OR ACT. AT BRENTWOOD EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, EVERYONE IS SPECIAL.”
“THE MOST VALUABLE THING I HAVE LEARNED IS TO HAVE FUN WHILE LEARNING.�
THE ARTS The arts are a crucial part to a well-balanced life, and children in the Lower School encounter a world of possibilities. The Brentwood experience inspires students to discover the musician, actor, or artist within. Whether performing on stage, playing an instrument, or displaying a creation in the allschool art show, Brentwood students are encouraged to express themselves confidently while allowing others to have a glimpse into the private world of their imaginations.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Physical activity enriches all who take part. Through P.E. and playing after-school sports, Brentwood students learn to approach all challenges with courage, discipline, and confidence, winning and losing with equal grace. Most importantly, they come to understand that, no matter how badly they want to win, fair play is the only play.
“IT’S THE LITTLE MOMENTS AT THIS SCHOOL, THE ONES THAT WE KNOW WILL STICK WITH US FOREVER.”
OUR COMMUNITY Nothing is more important than for a student to be a part of something larger, to see how one’s own interests are connected to the interests of others, and to learn to give of oneself. Brentwood encourages active participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities in order to generate awareness of the world outside the school community and an attitude of caring, commitment, and service to others. Service to the wider community is woven into the fabric of Brentwood School life. During a recent semester, Lower School students provided over 1,300 hours of service to various organizations including homeless shelters, senior citizen homes, and inner city schools. They wrote to elected officials about community concerns and worked with students at a partner school to raise awareness of emergency preparedness. The school has been recognized repeatedly for its commitment to the community, and all students become actively involved in helping neighbors in need. Most recently, Brentwood was the only school to receive the Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalition’s Community Support Award for work with the Westside Transitional Village.
Community of Caring The core values of trust, respect, responsibility, honesty, caring, community, and diversity build the foundation of our community and our character education program at Brentwood School. Weekly class meetings are used to facilitate discussions on various topics including conf lict resolution, inclusion/exclusion, problem solving, sportsmanship, the core values, and the honor code. These discussions provide students with a forum to present questions or concerns, modeling open and effective communication. In addition, monthly assemblies are held throughout the year to introduce the various values and to foster a sense of community. Brentwood School’s Lower School is the only independent school honored as a 2016 National School of Character, an honor that lasts for five years, by the Character Education Partnership (CEP).
“BRENTWOOD A CARING COMMUNITY. MY FRIEND WAS NEW LAST YEAR, AND HE FIT IN LIKE A PUZZLE PIECE.”
KINDERGARTEN Young minds benefit from exposure to a wide variety of experiences. Brentwood Kindergarten provides an engaging learning environment that encourages the natural curiosity of children while providing appropriately challenging opportunities for them to grow and develop. Brentwood’s Kindergarten is a full-day program, beginning at 8:15 a.m. and ending at 3:10 p.m. Brentwood Kindergarteners develop a positive sense of self, a confidence in their abilities to identify and solve life’s problems, and a love of learning that will sustain them for many school years to come.
“BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.”
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
A SELECTION OF LOWER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Newspaper Reptacular Animals Tech Club
Chess
Instrumental Music
Total Golf Adventures
Clay animation
Kitchen Kids
Woodworking Bus
Environment Club
Lego Engineering
Yoga Buddies
Jazz Dance
Movie Making
Student Council
Harry Pottery
Musical Theater
3D Design and Printing
What happens outside the classroom is as important as what happens inside, and a crucial part of any education comes through students’ pursuit of their own unique interests and passions. At Brentwood, faculty work to create and sustain a warm, welcoming environment, a community where every student has a unique role to play. Before- and after-school activities abound, and each faculty member sponsors one free activity each year. Brentwood encourages students to discover new paths and to explore new possibilities, helping them to become self-motivated, self-confident risk takers. The result is a robust enrichment experience and an even stronger sense of community. In order to meet the needs of our families, the school offers before school care beginning at 7:30 a.m. and after school care until 6:00 p.m., free of charge.
DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIAL.
Statement of Purpose BRENTWOOD INSPIRES EVERY STUDENT TO: THINK CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY. ACT ETHICALLY. SHAPE A FUTURE WITH MEANING.
Core Values TRUST • RESPECT • RESPONSIBILITY • HONESTY • CARING • COMMUNITY • DIVERSITY
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