Eleven members of the Class of 2026 have been preparing all year for the competition. Congrats to all, especially top-three finishers Maggie Shelton, Nell Choi, and Sophia Kutko.
Lower School: Grades 3-6
BUILDING A LASTING FOUNDATION
Supported by a sense of safety, deep connection to their teachers, and respectful friendships with classmates, Lower School girls spend their days in an environment of joyful learning.
Their teachers are experienced, innovative, creative, passionate, and deeply nurturing educators. Beyond helping students master subject matter, they invest in helping girls understand and identify their own emotions, setting the stage for productive discovery.
Each day begins with a morning meeting during which all students and teachers come together to share. This open exchange creates a sense of belonging, significance, and fun—all of which inspire and deepen student engagement.
From third grade on, girls dive into design thinking and global engagement, whether using 3D printers to bring their ideas to life or partnering with classrooms across the globe.
Our students learn with purpose and intention—as teachers help them understand the deeper meaning and larger contexts behind their lessons and experiences.
Here, girls are free to be themselves while learning how to understand, value, and work closely with others.
They leave for Middle School knowing who they are, what they value, and how to move toward accomplishing their ambitions and dreams.
LOWER SCHOOL NEWS
The publication will honor Kai Wells ’26 by listing her in its July/August Honor Roll and will publish stories by Maggie Shelton ’26 and Zoe Tang ’26 in future issues.
Magical moments were plentiful during the Lower School Reading Celebration last Fri., Sept. 13—from sixth graders skillfully leading cross-grade reading discussions and games, to all students creating a beautiful collaborative art project inspired by the summer reading book (Katherine Applegate's Wishtree), to everyone finding a quiet nook for a half hour to dig into a great book of their choosing.
A group of fifth graders was participating in a lively Social Studies discussion about school uniforms this past winter when Carter '26 had a pressing question. Why didn't Lower School have its own student government, like the Middle and Upper Schools? Why was there not a regular forum where students could discuss ideas for improving and enhancing Lower School life with "higher-ups"?