Lower School

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LOWER SCHOOL (GRADE PRIMARY-5)

Lower School at Armbrae is a dynamic environment where foundational academic skills intersect with joyful exploration. We nurture well-rounded, confident students who are deeply engaged in their studies and active participants in their school community.

The power of the homeroom teacher:

In the Lower School, academic excellence is built on a foundation of strong relationships. Our Homeroom Teachers serve as mentors and guides, delivering a robust core curriculum designed to challenge and inspire. The Homeroom Teacher is the "anchor" for each child’s day. This model allows for:

Deep Connections

A teacher who truly understands your child’s learning style.

Integrated Learning

Connecting a science concept to a writing prompt or a math problem to a social studies project.

Individualized Support

Ensuring that no student is left behind and every student is appropriately challenged.

our core subjects

We prioritize a strong core, ensuring every student masters the essentials of communication and mathematics. Through small class sizes, we provide the individualized attention needed to move beyond rote learning and into deep, critical understanding.

Mathematics: Confidence through Competence 

We believe every child can excel at Math.  Using the JUMP Math philosophy, our teachers break complex concepts into manageable, scaffolded steps.

  • The Result: By reducing math anxiety and building confidence, we empower students to tackle high-level problem solving and critical thinking with ease.

Literacy: Building Confident Readers

At Armbrae, we believe that literacy is the key to all future learning. We utilize the UFLI Program—a research-based, systematic approach to reading.

  • The Result: Our students develop strong decoding skills and phonemic awareness, ensuring they don't just learn to read, but become fluent, confident communicators.

Science & Social Studies: Exploring Our World

Our core curriculum extends into inquiry-based Science and Social Studies.

  • Science: Students engage in hands-on exploration, learning to observe, hypothesize, and experiment.

  • Social Studies: We foster engaged citizenship by helping students understand their place in the local and global community, emphasizing our values of inclusivity and belonging.

Beyond the Core: Specialist-Led Learning

At Armbrae, we believe that a well-rounded education requires expert guidance. From their very first year in Primary, our students learn from specialist teachers who are experts in their fields and these classes take place in dedicated learning spaces.

A World of Discovery

Beginning in Primary, every student’s weekly schedule is enriched with dedicated time in:

  • Physical & Health Education Our PHE program is about more than just movement; it’s about developing the whole child. Students build fundamental motor skills, learn the importance of physical wellness, and practice the sportsmanship that defines an engaged citizen.

  • French Language & Culture Our French program focuses on oral fluency and cultural appreciation. By starting early, students develop the linguistic confidence necessary for a globalized world.

  • Visual Arts In our dedicated art studio, students explore medium, technique, and creative expression. This environment encourages the exploration of passions and the development of fine motor skills.

  • Library & Information Literacy Students foster a lifelong love for reading while learning the modern skills of researching, navigating, and verifying information in our resource center.

The Performing Arts: Music & Drama

Music and Drama are not just subjects at Armbrae; they are a vital part of our community’s heartbeat. Our curriculum is designed to build confidence, public speaking skills, and collaborative spirit.

  • The Winter Celebration: A beloved December tradition where every student from Primary to Grade 5 takes the stage to showcase their musical growth.

  • The Spring Musical: The pinnacle of our performing arts year. This full-scale production involves every Lower School student and stars our Grade 6 students, integrating music and drama curriculum into a professional-level performance that builds lifelong memories and courage.