The Child Centered Alternative:
The Wilson Lower School
To envision the kind of learning in store for your child at the Wilson Lower School
(Pre-K-4th grade), take stock of your child's strengths, interests and curiosities. Observe the
phenomena that capture his or her imagination. Identify the pursuits that engage your
child's intellect and bolster his or her self-esteem. That's exactly how our teachers will
go about developing an academic program to meet your child's needs.
The concept is called child-centered learning, and its philosophy--that the best kind of
learning is based on intrinsic, not extrinsic, motivation-is effective, challenging, and
fun. Based on the educational requirements of children in this age group but flexible
enough to meet individual learning styles and needs, our program creates an optimal milieu
for attaining intellectual growth, making friends, developing social skills, and learning
values. That, we believe, is what good schools are all about.
Good schools also foster a partnering relationship between parents and the school.
At Wilson, your child works closely with a variety of teachers, who meet
regularly to discuss your child's progress and to ensure that his or her program continues
in a developmentally appropriate manner. We keep you apprised of your child's academic and
social development through written progress reports and conferences, and we encourage you
to call or meet with us whenever you have questions, comments, or concerns.
Children in the early childhood program learn by doing, so we provide a full complement of
resources to meet virtually every interest your child may wish to explore. Our students
work with paint and clay, sing and listen to music, measure ingredients for cooking, study
animals and plants, dictate stories, draw, participate in field trips, experiment with
dramatic play.., all within a context that opens their minds to the worlds of writing,
reading, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Students in grades 1-4 study language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies and
receive instruction in research and organizational skills. By working in small groups,
they build social skills such as cooperation, self-control, rule-setting, and manners.
Your child builds the foundation for lifelong learning and develops a sense of competence
and an appreciation and understanding of basic values, rights, and responsibilities.
Lower School students study
French, take physical education classes, swim in our heated indoor pool, participate in a
music program that includes both instrumental and choral studies, work with computers,
attend art classes, and follow a curriculum that builds library and study skills in all
subject areas.
A variety of after-school athletic activities based on interest are offered to grades
1-4: soccer, baseball, softball, swimming, volleyball (4th grade) fencing
(ages 8+), and Tae Kwon Do are among the athletic offerings. For the 5th
straight year, the Wilson School was named a
Category 1 State Champion in the National Presidential Physical Fitness Program.
Choosing a school for your child is ultimately a quest to match your expectations and your
child's needs with the most compatible educational philosophy and program. To that
end, we have developed an admissions process that includes a parental visit to the school
and a meeting with the Director of Admissions and/or Head of School. Your child also tours the school and visits
with classroom (grades 1-8) in conjunction with an admissions screening.
Wilson's approach puts the child at the center and creates an optimal setting for learning
growth, and fun.
The Wilson Lower School Curriculum
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