LJCDS Lower School

LOWER SCHOOL

Helen Brewster PARENT PROFILE “We’ve been surprised at some of the activities our sons have taken an interest in, and we credit that to having them in the right environment.

They’ve been involved in everything from baseball and basketball to orchestra, chess, and water polo.”

Every school talks about its community spirit and its commitment to families. But when their home was devastated in the Cedar Fire, Helen and Dennis Brewster found out firsthand what that means at Country Day. “Our house was completely destroyed in the fire,” recalls Mrs. Brewster.

“Every single one of our belongings – our clothes, our beds, our furniture, our dishes, our photographs – everything was gone in an instant. Overnight we literally had only the clothes on our backs and no place to live.”

It was during this tumultuous time that the Country Day community support began. “The Head of School personally contacted me, placed phone calls to other families who offered assistance, and found us a place to live.

Families from Country Day brought us food, clothes, toys, books, whatever we needed. It was overwhelming.”

“The faculty and program of the Lower School stimulated our children’s passion for learning,” says Mrs. Brewster. The Brewsters say it is impossible to put a price on the opportunities, community spirit, and academic excellence that a school like Country Day can offer. But if how they feel every day they walk on campus is any barometer, the Brewsters know they have been blessed.

“If success is defined by how happy you and your children are, we certainly have been fortunate in the choice we made to attend Country Day. Country Day touches people’s hearts. It is our second family.”

Preparing individuals for a lifetime of intellectual exploration, personal growth, and social responsibility

LOWER SCHOOL Building the foundation

The Lower School and Early Childhood Center (age 3-grade 4) at Country Day are child-centered, honoring and nurturing the unique emotional, social, and intellectual life of every student. Our students learn together in a safe, lively, and caring environment. Guided by supportive teachers, in small class sizes, the Lower School encourages a child’s natural curiosity and lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

“ We honor the intellectual, social, and emotional life of each child.”

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER • Promotes social, cognitive, emotional and physical growth • Safe, secure campus • Formal character education program • Multiple approaches address diverse learning styles • Seven special subject areas • Daily physical education KINDERGARTEN • Individualized reading program • Formal character education • Music, library, Spanish, and daily physical education • Multiple approaches address diverse learning styles GRADES 1-4 Scholar • Core curriculum includes language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies with a global emphasis • Formal character education program • Individual, small group, and whole group instruction Artist • Weekly art using a variety of media • Orchestra, strings lessons, vocal music, and music appreciation • Rotating “Artist In Residence” in dance, drama, storytelling, or music Athlete • Junior Varsity and Varsity coaches teach daily physical education • Tennis lessons available • All grade levels benefit from state-of-the-art gymnasium

T

he Lower School embraces whole group work, small group work, and one-on-one instruction.

The core curriculum of the Lower School includes the introduction to and master of basic academic skills with an emphasis on language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. There is additional exploration of world languages and cultures, the visual and performing arts, computer and library education, and physical education.

The Lower School and Early Childhood Center students also participate in community service activities appropriate for their grade level. From volunteering at the Food Bank to thanking local firefighters, our young students quickly grasp that they can have a positive effect on their community and the lives of others.

LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL CONTACT INFO: ADMISSION@LJCDS.ORG 858.453.3440 x132 9490 GENESEE AVENUE LA JOLLA CA 92037 WWW.LJCDS.ORG