All-Girls Lower School at Garrison Forest School

t a h w w o You Kn . f o e l b a she’s cap . e W o D o S Knowing your daughter and understanding and celebrating who she is, how she learns and what makes her smile are what we do best. Our teachers are experts at educating the elementary-school-aged girl. We grow her heart and mind by encouraging her to take risks and ask questions — big, small and everything in between. We lift up our students with warmth and support, laughter and rigor, hugs and high fives and encourage them to try something new and push beyond what they thought possible. You may be surprised by just how far your daughter can go, but she won’t be. And neither will we.

LOWER SCHOOL

l r i s G l l A

. t r a t S t s e B e h t r e H s e v Gi

At the earliest age, girls need to know and deeply, truly feel that what they say, think and express is important and valued.

At Garrison Forest, our pedagogy, classroom culture and approach to learning and support are all designed with the specific needs of young girls in mind.

Research shows that girls learn best through relationships and societal context. To fully embrace all her potential, your daughter needs to understand how to do something and why it matters. She needs to be agile and embrace change, to be part of a community that cherishes her curiosity.

Our teachers are masters at understanding and guiding your daughter, sparking a passion for discovery that will shine at each stage of her education and throughout her life.

Our Grizzly Den

outdoor classroom

features 11 exploration stations

GFS at a Glance

BUILD CONFIDENCE

and public speaking skills in every grade through support, encouragement and celebration

GFS GRADS CURRENTLY attend Brown, Cornell, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, Penn, Swarthmore, UVA and Vanderbilt, among other top colleges and universities

110-acre

STEM Programming The Lower School STEM program is an integrated approach to Distinctly Science, Technology, Engineering True Blue and Math that provides students with opportunities for handson experiences and real-world applications of scientific problems. Students explore cross-curricular problem-based projects that allow them to use their imaginations and creativity to build, invent, and make, all while applying the design process and critical thinking skills.

wooded campus with 24/7 security

3 applied music

recitals attended by entire Lower School

30 minutes

20

Outdoor Education miles

walked by each class over course of the year during Physical Education Power Walks around campus

daily for Responsive Classroom teacher/student gatherings to promote positive behavior and kindness

A Strong Foundation

Our 4th Grade girls take the lead in our innovative, school-wide financial literacy program. They manage GFS’s “Wise Bank,” a school-hosted branch of M&T Bank, where they serve as tellers for their peers.

The girls also participate in teleconferences with Federal Reserve officers, take bank field trips and play the Maryland Stock Market Game with a mock portfolio. The goal is teaching financialresponsibility through a fun, hands-on program that provides amazing leadership opportunities for our Fourth Grade students.

The Lower School Outdoor Education program is designed to utilize our 110 acre campus to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world. It strives to foster a respect for the interrelationships within the natural environment, including humans’ impact on, and interdependence with, local as well as global ecosystems.

A Day in the Life of a Kindergartner 7:30 A.M. Free early drop-off led by faculty

8:00 A.M.

ly Many month

Grizzly Gathering for whole ings Lower School er h at G ly

Grizz t-led to are studen ing lic-speak b u p ce enhan dence. fi n co d skills an

8:40-11:30 A.M. Daily check-in, Music, Language Arts, Math and Spanish Every Lower S chool

student ta kes Span ish, taught b y our full -time Spanish te acher.

Lunch or recess in

11:30 A.M.

Lower School Playground, and two other age-appropriate playgrounds.

12:10 P.M. Science

12:50 P.M. n ts ofte Projec iplines Themed classroom project blending c is d s cros bine cross-curricular activities with to com of art, ts girls’ real-life experiences. elemen ge, langua d n a e scienc .

1:30 P.M. studies global Free play and GFS-provided healthy snack

ee) ss ons (f Riding le ek.

ay/we e P.E. d are on has a th 5 d d 4th an Polo an , g in r Rid it. n popula u . .E P Dance

Woodlands Afterschool

1:50 P.M.

Learning doesn’t

Physical Education

stop just because

Dis tinctly

True Blu

e

the school day has ended.

2:30 P.M.

With Woodlands, our popular,

Quiet reading

robust afterschool program just for Lower School students, girls

2:50 P.M. 4th Grade Reading Buddy activity each week

3:10 P.M.

Big Sis ters /Little i S s ters

Closing Time Circle

3:30 P.M.

programs includ e 1st and 5th an d yoga with 3rd and Pre-Kindergarte n.

Ride the GFS bus home, carpool or attend Woodlands afterschool program

pursue their passions, try new things and deepen friendships.

Taught by teachers, parents or outside specialists, the onsite, fee-based clubs include 10-15 offerings, including everything from GFS-sponsored Girl Scout and Brownie troops and robotics to chess, art, dance, basketball, drone club, field hockey and ecology with Irvine Nature Center.

LEARN MORE AT GFS.ORG/LOWERSCHOOL SCHEDULE YOUR CAMPUS VISIT: GFS.ORG/VISIT

Empowering girls to realize their full potential and live lives of purpose