LOWER SCHOOL GRADES TK–5
Our sense of community establishes a caring learning environment throughout the school. The pathways to each child’s future are carved by movement, engagement, collaboration, intentional design, and the use of technology as learning tools.
OUR MISSION
Providence Day School exists to inspire in its students a passion for learning, a commitment to personal integrity, and a sense of social responsibility.
Dr. Glyn Cowlishaw Head of School
Erin Harper Head of Lower School
Lisa Knight Assistant Head of School for Admissions & Enrollment Management
Pam Heacock Assistant Head of Lower School for Curriculum and Instructional Coaching
Fast Facts
109 Lower School faculty members
769 students in grades TK–5
248 faculty members across all divisions
72 student countries of origin
Jenny Tucker Assistant Head of Lower School for Student Life
Average students per class:
38% students of color (self-reported) TK 16 K 19 Grade 1 20–21 Grades 2–5
22–23
152 school-wide faculty members with advanced degrees
The PD Passport
At Providence Day School, we intentionally create experiences that foster intercultural learning inside and outside the classroom. Knowing the world is increasingly interconnected and everchanging, we purposefully develop opportunities for our students to become empathetic, informed, and empowered global citizens.
All Providence Day students experience the TK-12 global education framework known as the “PD Passport,” which infuses traditional classes with the content, skills, and character dispositions critical to becoming a global citizen. Our classrooms are places of discovery where learning about diverse cultures and shared experiences creates connections to our larger humanity.
Global Curriculum
Our Lower School social studies curriculum allows students to explore their identities, experiences, and contributions as part of the Providence Day family, the Charlotte community, and the world in which they live. Beginning in Transitional Kindergarten, students learn about family and community and are introduced to cultures around the world during the TK Goes Global unit. The social studies curriculum is thoughtfully constructed to build upon the previous year (s) and offers more expansive and detailed lessons highlighting diversity in different countries and cultures. Each grade level has its own focus, with unique projects and activities, to engage and educate its students so they are better prepared citizens of the world.
Lower School’s World Language model complements the global component of the social studies curriculum. Our Transitional Kindergarten-Grade 1 students are introduced to French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese during Special Area classes, increasing the students’ awareness of other cultures. In Grades 2-5, students select a single language for the remainder of Lower School, laying the strong foundation for future language study during their time at Providence Day School.
Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
Providence Day School understands that the key to global citizenship is fostering an equitable, inclusive community of belonging. We deeply value the vibrant array of cultures, religions, races, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds, and countries of origin, among other cultural identifiers that add to our strength as a community.
The Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging supports, develops, and fosters a school community that reflects the increasing diversity in our nation and across the globe. We strive to develop in our students an ability to appreciate, value, and respect the differences and commonalities among members of our school community and those in the larger world around us. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive environment through various programming, civic dialogue, and curriculum.
Social Responsibility & Character Education
Social responsibility is woven throughout the curriculum at Providence Day. We emphasize cultivating a sense of connection to our community and the world and taking action to contribute to the lives of others. In Lower School, our teachers guide students to explore gratitude, reflection, and community engagement opportunities. Students focus on developing essential character traits as they progress through Lower School:
• Respect for Self and Others
• Confidence
• Courage
• Perseverance
• Empathy
Lower School strives to develop the whole child, which includes an intentional and thoughtful emphasis on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Every day, whether during classroom instruction or less structured activities such as recess or lunch, we look for opportunities to help Lower School students develop and fine-tune their SEL skills. Each Lower School classroom has a Lead Teacher and a full-time Assistant Teacher, many with extensive training in the Responsive Classroom model. All teachers appreciate the value of building a safe and nurturing classroom community. Every day begins with a morning meeting in each classroom, a favorite routine filled with activities that allow students to share and connect with others. Other essential components of Lower School SEL are lessons on mindfulness and regulating daily emotions. The Zones of Regulation lessons provide a common framework for Lower Schoolers to recognize, express, and discuss their emotions with parents, teachers, counselors, and classmates.
Lower School has two full-time counselors who guide and support our students’ SEL needs. Counselors partner with students, teachers, and families to navigate the school year to promote growth and well-being for all. They spend quality time in classrooms, teach character education lessons, work with students individually and in groups, and consult with parents, professionals, and faculty members.
Early Innovators & Engineers
Providence Day created the Discovery Den for students to explore and use their curiosity and imagination with various provocations and loose tools. TK and K students are given time for structured play and opportunities to discover, problem-solve, tinker, and interact with peers in THEIR space.
Kindergarten through second-grade students also have TID (Tinker, Invent, Discover ) time. During this time, students are given design thinking challenges, which enhance their problem-solving and collaboration skills.
Math, Language Arts, & Sciences
MATH IN FOCUS
Providence Day uses Singapore Math concepts for grades K through five. This method teaches the “why” and “how” behind mathematical concepts, builds a strong foundation of number sense, encourages problem-solving strategies emphasizing bar modeling in grades 2-5, and incorporates whole-group, partner work, small group, and independent practice in math instruction.
LOWER SCHOOL LITERACY
Providence Day School emphasizes structured literacy principles for language arts in Lower School. Beginning in Transitional Kindergarten, teachers use a systematic and explicit approach to build a strong foundation in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In Grades 2-5, the literacy program expands to teach more advanced skills, including fluent word recognition and reading comprehension. Students are exposed to a wide variety of genres with a global lens; experience whole group, small group, and individual instruction; have opportunities to hone their skills through interactive readalouds, shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, and book clubs; and benefit from diverse texts and lessons designed to get students talking, reading, reflecting, and writing. Every Lower School student aims to build literacy skills to be a capable and confident lifelong reader and writer.
INQUIRY BASED METHODOLOGY
Lower School science uses inquiry-based methodology to nurture students’ inherent curiosity. This approach empowers students to rely on their own reasoning rather than seeking answers from teachers. Lower School students are presented with open-ended challenges that foster collaboration. Additionally, science teachers model the scientific method, emphasizing process over product. Lower School students have fun while exploring!
Typical Lower School Schedules
Schedules are customized by grade level and rotate during the week. Here’s a look at some typical days for Kindergartners and Fifth Graders:
A TYPICAL DAY IN KINDERGARTEN
• Morning Meeting
• Interactive Read Aloud
• Literacy Centers
• Snack
• World Language (rotates between French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese) or Physical Education (alternating)
• Handwriting Lesson, Shared Reading Story, or Writing Workshop
A TYPICAL DAY IN GRADE 5
• Morning Meeting
• Math/Language Arts
• Break
• Math/Language Arts
• Recess / Lunch
• Specials (Band, Chorus, or Orchestra; Theater; Art; Computer; Library; Global Civics; IDEAS Lab; or Science Lab)
• Lunch and Recess
• Calendar time
• Math in Focus
• Special Area Class (Art, Music, Library, Science Lab, or Character Education)
• Dismissal (2:00 p.m.)
• Social Studies/Science
• Social Studies/Science
• World Language or Physical Education (alternating)
• Dismissal (2:50 p.m.)
Technology & Innovation
GRADES TK-2
Each Lower School classroom has a class set of iPads with various apps and content to support the Lower School curriculum. Content includes material for core classes and special areas, including library, music, and more. Students can work together on the class iPads to gain a foundational understanding of how iPads work in education and prepare for personal iPads later in their academic careers.
GRADES 3-5
Students in third grade are provided with a school-issued iPad while in class, helping them get acclimated to Providence Day’s One to World and Digital Citizenship programs. In fifth grade, students can become fully involved with the One to World program as they use the iPads to learn in and out of the classroom. Students will keep their iPads throughout their journey into middle school.
INNOVATION
At Providence Day, innovation goes far beyond the use of technology and is woven into every aspect of teaching and learning. In Lower School, that might be illustrated by opportunities for students to design their own board games, write their own comic books, or experiment with materials from the “tinker table” available in the Library.
IDEAS@PD is a new TK-12 curricular framework that weaves the topics of innovation , design , entrepreneurship , analytics , and sustainability . Lower School offerings include the Tech Tank, where students are introduced to computer science and problem-solving concepts, and the IDEAS Lab, an elective for 5th graders in the IDEASxChange on campus. The school created the IDEASxChange in the Dickson-Hemby Technology building during the summer of 2022, bringing together new forms of collaboration among faculty and students of all ages.
Our base set of tools is the G-Suite or Google apps suite, including: Gmail
Google Calendar
Google Drive
Google Docs
Google Slides
Google Sheets
Clubs & Activities
LOWER SCHOOL CLUBS
• Science Olympiad, grades 4, 5
• Battle of the Books, grade 5
• Lower School Musical, grades 4, 5
• Kaleidoscope Groups, Affinity and Alliance Groups, grades 3, 4, 5
LOWER SCHOOL ENRICHMENTS
Students may choose from various after-school enrichments offered through the Extended Day program each fall and spring. They include sports, STEAM, and art-themed activities.
EXTENDED DAY
The Extended Day Program promotes each child’s social, emotional, and physical development through nurturing relationships, flexible scheduling, and choices that reflect each child’s individual interests. The program operates out of the Levin Extended Day House and has a new space in Auerbach Hall. Students may attend on certain days or sign up to attend five days a week.
Arts
We are committed to nurturing creativity and confidence at all levels of learning. Comprehensive exposure to visual arts, music, and theatre is essential to students’ complete educational experience.
TK-5 students experience a diverse curriculum in music and visual arts. In fifth grade, students participate in Band, Orchestra, or Chorus (no prior experience required). In addition, fourth and fifthgrade students have an opportunity each year to audition for a musical theatre production.
Athletics
Participation in the Providence Day athletic program allows student-athletes to pursue excellence, build lasting relationships, and grow physically and emotionally. Students in seventh and eighth grades have the opportunity to participate in a variety of team sports.
The athletic department is committed to developing the whole person by integrating excellence in education and athletic competition. As an extension of the classroom, the athletic program promotes sportsmanship, commitment, character, respect, and integrity, instilling lifelong values and fostering meaningful personal growth for each student-athlete.
G o C h a r g e r s !
Alumni Community
Providence Day School cultivates its vibrant network of over 4,000 alumni, who are vital to our school community. All PD graduates and former students are considered members of the Alumni Association. We are committed to supporting PD’s mission and success through events, networking opportunities, and our alumnispecific platform, PD Connect. Even after graduation, all alums are #AlwaysACharger!
Parent Community
All Providence Day parents are members of the Parents’ Association, whose mission is to collaborate with the school to foster a vibrant community through volunteer activities, fellowship opportunities, and fundraising events that support families, faculty, and staff. Additionally, parents are encouraged to join the Charger Club, which strengthens the athletic experience through fundraising and volunteerism, and the Friends of the Arts, which supports the visual and performing arts.
My wife always says to ‘bloom where you’re planted,’ and PD is a very fertile place. Not only are the parents very supportive of each other, but I have found our kids’ friends within the PD community are wonderful people, and are developing into wonderful young adults.
John Olin, father of students in the classes of 2020, 2022, and 2023
Campus
Providence Day cultivates a vibrant, active environment full of innovative spaces. Our campus supports a year-round slate of activities, programs, celebrations, and events. Explore an interactive map at www.providenceday.org/around-campus/campus-map .
