The goal of education in Park’s Kindergarten is to stimulate the healthy growth of each child’s intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and ethical powers.

Pre-Kindergarten is a time for children to experience the joy of learning and the role of student in the classroom, on the playground, and beyond.

Our 100-acre campus — featuring a pond, stream, meadows, and woodlands — is an ecological, botanical, entomological, microbial, astronomical, and physical laboratory accessible to all.

Whether a student has a passion for science or the arts; whether they tend to dip their toes or jump in head first, Park’s curricula and environments are designed to build on each student’s strengths and encourage them to stretch to become their best authentic selves.

First graders walk the path from “me” to “we.” Students celebrate what makes each person unique; explore their similarities and differences; learn how to be active participants in a caring and democratic learning community; and engage with the world outside of the classroom to widen perspectives, deepen learning, and make positive change.

Park students are inquisitive, show and earn respect, and are mature beyond their years. They are bright, motivated, naturally curious, and love to explore — always asking “What if?” and “How and why?” and “Why not?"

Fourth and fifth grade students partner with Kindergarteners and first graders as reading partners, meeting weekly throughout the year. These partnerships create bonds among students that can last throughout their time at Park, and beyond.

Throughout the school year, there are grade-level programs, concerts, and performances by the children, school-wide and division-level events, and parent programs.

In 4th Grade, students have an exploratory music class once a week, giving them a chance to work with a variety of instruments (strings, brass, and winds) before choosing their ensemble class in 5th Grade.

The 5th Grade theme curriculum focuses on the acquisition of social and cultural understanding of the medieval world through authentic research and the application of multiple disciplines, including engineering.

Students at Park employ habits of mind central to scientific and mathematical thinking. They work through progressions of problems designed to develop these habits of thought and processes, fueled by their research, understanding, and discoveries.

Careful selection of rich and relevant literature, interactive read-alouds, and opportunities to discuss and share books as a whole group and in reading partnerships are important components that build a community of learners who fall in love with reading.

Students build both observation and judgment. They learn how to use various sources of information, including life activities as well as books, and reason about information acquired.

The outcome of a Park education is the ability to express conclusions reached with respect, confidence, and logic.

The primary goal of all Lower School athletics programs is an introduction to team sports and having fun — everyone who wants to participate is welcome! The focus is on building fundamental skills and understanding the basic elements of the game. Interscholastic teams may include Soccer, Field Hockey, and Lacrosse.

Park teachers stand apart because of their great passion for teaching and learning. They truly connect with students, provide insight and guidance, and encourage them to think critically for themselves as they learn by doing.