Grow With Us - The Lower School at NYA

GROW WITH US THE LOWER SCHOOL AT NYA TODDLER through FOURTH GRADE

The North Yarmouth Academy Lower School emphasizes values that connect students throughout the school: cultivating integrity, character and intellect to help the children of today become adults who will prosper as learners and innovators throughout their lives.

The Lower School embraces Montessori methods through kindergarten. In the first and second grades, the program builds off a Montessori foundation continuing to provide an active and engaging learning experience. In the third and fourth grades, the approach continues to foster curiosity and motivation to learn while also preparing students for an easy transition to the Middle School at North Yarmouth Academy.

“We love that NYA’s Lower School is a warm, inclusive environment. Our children feel respected and supported by faculty, staff, and students.”

-Libby and Dave Millar

NORTH YARMOUTH ACADEMY LOWER SCHOOL

Throughout the Lower School, students develop skills that are closely aligned with NYA’s values and all that we strive to inspire through academics, athletics and the arts. These include: respect; compassion; perseverance; and honesty. Teachers in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools work closely with one another to prepare students as they move from one area of the school to the next.

Marissa Markonish is Head of both the Lower and Middle Schools to ensure both the quality of the programs and the ease of transition for students and their families.

Students in the Lower School have full access to NYA’s 25-acre campus, which includes playing fields, a gymnasium, ice arena, a music building, academic buildings and more. Experiential learning and field research along the coast of Maine and the shores of the Royal River are offered in addition to traditional classroom instruction.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS TODDLER PROGRAM | 18-MONTHS - 3 YEARS OLD The Toddler Program provides a warm and inviting setting for our youngest students, aged 18 months to 3, and welcomes them to the Montessori classroom. The nurturing environment supports the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of each child as they continue their growth toward independence. Learning is child-directed and focuses on social-emotional development.

All areas of the Montessori classroom are represented in this setting and include: Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, Cultural, Geography, Science and Peace.

The Montessori materials, which are slowly introduced to the children in small group lessons, reside on the shelves in their respective locations for the children to choose of their own free will. Working with these materials fosters concentration, independence, and the development of gross and fine motor skills.

Circle time encourages and builds a community atmosphere and includes songs and finger plays that help support emerging Language and Math skills. Additionally, the children enjoy Creative Movement, Music and Spanish.

PRIMARY PROGRAM | PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN The Primary Program embraces Montessori methods of teaching and welcomes children aged 3 through kindergarten. Montessori education nurtures the intrinsic desire of children to learn and work collaboratively across age groups as they develop a wide range of intellectual, social and emotional skills.

Embedded within the heart of this approach is the Great Period, a block of time dedicated each day to independent work and individual or smallgroup lessons on a wide variety of topics that encompass fields from environmental science to writing or storytelling. Children have the freedom to work at their own pace and teachers gently guide them, but the overarching educational goal remains to inspire rather than instruct. Children learn through exploring and manipulating materials designed to provide the opportunity to think, feel and learn.

All of these activities help lay the foundation for increasingly abstract thinking, all within the context of connecting with teachers and other students. Students in the Primary Program also pursue enrichment courses each week including music, visual arts, movement and/or gym.

Our ice skating program begins in kindergarten at our own Travis Roy Arena. Spanish instruction is incorporated into the curriculum.

ELEMENTARY PROGRAM | GRADES 1 AND 2 The first and second grade classroom offers a rich and open learning environment incorporating group work; class meetings; individual, small-group, and full class instruction; and varied learning and discovery centers. Students are guided through an expansive exploration of culture, language, mathematics and science as well as concepts that shape social learning and understanding. Building a strong foundation in numeracy, literacy, and writing skills is emphasized. Teachers strive to challenge, inspire and support each student to reach his or her potential while embracing a love of learning.

Students in grades 1 and 2 take part in enrichment classes in music, visual arts, Spanish and physical education with ice skating at NYA’s Travis Roy Arena.

ELEMENTARY PROGRAM | GRADES 3 AND 4 The program in grades 3 and 4 transitions to work that paves the way for students to move with ease to our grade 5 curriculum. The classroom is organized in a way to foster independence, cooperation, and productivity. Students are provided with multiple exposures and learning experiences, which include field trips and classroom projects that are integrated into the curriculum. Teachers emphasize developing fluency in mathematics, reading, and writing. With the guidance of their teachers, students will continue to drive their own educational discoveries as they begin to tackle increasingly complex concepts in preparation for their transition to the Middle School.

Students in grades 3 and 4 continue with enrichment classes in music, visual arts, language and physical education including study of violin and ice skating at NYA’s Travis Roy Arena.

YEAR-ROUND OPTIONS ADDITIONAL COVERAGE | TODDLER TO AGE 5 Additional programming is available during NYA breaks and during the summertime for children age 18-months to 5 provided there is sufficient enrollment. Specifically, coverage will be available for the following:

-Three days before Thanksgiving

-Two to three days during the week of Christmas

-Three days during the week of New Year’s Day

-Two weeks during NYA’s March break

-NYA summer programs will be offered to children age 2 to 5 (in addition to programs for ages 5 to 14)

Note: There will not be care during the week before the NYA school year begins, the week of the Yarmouth Clam Festival (the third week in July), or the week following the close of school at NYA

PROGRAM OPTIONS 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR Toddler (18-months to age 3) Monday-Friday Mornings Only (8:00-11:45) Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Mornings Only (8:00-11:45) Monday-Friday Full Day (8:00-2:30) Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday Full Day (8:00-2:30)

$9,300 $7,700 $14,950 $11,000

Primary (Pre-K) Monday-Friday Mornings Only (8:00-11:45)

Monday-Friday Full Day (8:00-2:30)

$9,850 $14,250

Primary (Kindergarten) Monday-Friday Full Day (8:00-2:30)

$14,250

Elementary (Grades 1 -4) 1st and 2nd grades, Monday-Friday Full Day (8:00-2:40) 3rd and 4th grades, Monday-Friday Full Day (8:00-3:00)

$15,250 $15,600

Before Care: Monday-Friday Mornings (7:15-7:45)

$1,500

After Care: 3-5 days per week until 5:00 1-2 days until 5:00 5 days per week for one hour

$3,650 per year $2,300 per year $2,300 per year

Additional Coverage During NYA Breaks: Monday-Friday (8:00-5:00) (for 18-mos. to age 5) $400 per week or $80/day Summer Program (for age 2 to 5, June 13-Aug. 19): Full day only 8:30-3:30 Half day only 8:30-12:30 Before Care (8:00 - 8:30) After Care (3:00 - 5:00)

$350 per week $250 per week No Charge No Charge

For more information on North Yarmouth Academy’s Lower School, contact Leslie Durgin, Associate Director of Admission and Lower School, at 207.847.5462 | ldurgin@nya.org or visit www.NYA.org

148 Main Street, Yarmouth, ME 04096

|

207.846.9051

|

www.NYA.org