hero_lower_school.jpg
- Lower
- School
All children are born curious. GDS makes sure they stay that way.
That’s why we cultivate a safe, nurturing, inclusive community rooted in joyful, hands-on early learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and fire the imagination. From building confidence, self-reliance, and essential life skills, to instilling the value of working for the good of others alongside personal achievement, the GDS Lower School supports students as they develop into forward-thinking, compassionate, intellectually curious problem-solvers and advocates for a better tomorrow.
By the Numbers
340
Students in Lower School, Pre-K to Grade 4
160
minutes of P.E. per week for a Lower School student
1:1
device program benefiting students in 3rd and 4th grades
175+
field trips Pre-K–4th in a single school year, taking advantage of all our city has to offer
23+
languages used in Morning Meeting greetings
Signature Programs
Mentoring
Our buddy program is built to nurture leadership, connection, and friendship across grade-levels. Fourth grade students mentor their PK/K buddies and 5th grade students connect with their 1st grade buddies over the course of an entire year.
ART FOUNDATIONS
In 4th grade, the robust Lower School Arts program, featuring almost daily drama, dance, studio arts, and music classes, adds chorus and band to the weekly lineup. In each discipline, students create, innovate, develop skills, and showcase their work.
Movement
The P.E. Dance Assembly is a must-see highlight of the year. Students perform a choreographed dance as an entire grade level, for the entire LMS community.
Budding Scientists
Third grade scientists learn about the life cycles of plants, observing and recording changes in trees in neighboring national parks, dissecting plants, and discussing evolution and adaptations.
Writers’ Workshop
First grade authors read their personal narratives at the annual Author’s Brunch, a culmination of the students' year in Writers’ Workshop, in which students gain storytelling skills and engage in the writing process.
Claiming their Identities
In the 2nd grade Identity Project, students explore and claim their identities in a yearlong multidisciplinary study and project. The culminating event honors their individuality, showcases their empathy, and celebrates GDS’s diverse community.
Creative dramatic play
Creative dramatic play is a hallmark of the Prekindergarten/Kindergarten curriculum, in which students affirm positive self-image, explore community roles, collaborate around shared goals, and celebrate difference.Academic Highlights
- Our early childhood education years (pre-kindergarten and kindergarten) are intentionally play-based, recognizing that play is the work of our youngest students.
- Students begin taking dedicated science classes in pre-kindergarten.
- Visual and performing arts is integrated into the academic curriculum for all Lower School students.
- All Lower School students have recess every day and physical education four days a week, focused on building confidence and skill.
- In grades 3 and 4, students can choose a language: Spanish, French, or Mandarin. Beginning in fall 2020, pre-K–grade 2 students will be learning Spanish in an integrated program.
- All Lower School students take grade-level trips that build community, cultivate confidence, and extend learning beyond the school walls.
- Each year, we honor the history and spirit of our school's founding through five major assemblies celebrating the enduring themes of gratitude, peace and goodwill, equality, freedom, and self-determination. All are led by Lower School students.
Our Stories
![One (Sustainable) GDS]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1614772944/gdsorg/zzneibwlvgivzuzglp5p/20210303_One-Sustainable-GDS.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1614772944/gdsorg/zzneibwlvgivzuzglp5p/20210303_One-Sustainable-GDS.jpg","width":500}])
Meet GDS’s Environmental Task Force
![Gender Studies at GDS: History, Policy, and Advocacy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1614199219/gdsorg/l4vdxygrax68mw5h1ja3/20210224_GenderStudiesatGDSHistoryPolicyandAdvocacy.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1614199219/gdsorg/l4vdxygrax68mw5h1ja3/20210224_GenderStudiesatGDSHistoryPolicyandAdvocacy.jpg","width":500}])
In this all-school snapshot, we are highlighting just four of the many examples of teaching and learning around gender, gender equality, health disparities, gender policy, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
![Debate students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1614195037/gdsorg/nvyn9c3z6sfy6ajdami4/20210224_DebateSeasonandCoachoftheYear.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1614195037/gdsorg/nvyn9c3z6sfy6ajdami4/20210224_DebateSeasonandCoachoftheYear.jpg","width":500}])
A well-deserved honor was bestowed last week upon GDS debate director jon sharp, who was named Coach of the Year.
![Anti-Racist Learning in 2nd Grade]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1612985344/gdsorg/n7kw3u4mkdqcas07aded/20210210_Anti-RacistLearningin2ndGrade.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1612985344/gdsorg/n7kw3u4mkdqcas07aded/20210210_Anti-RacistLearningin2ndGrade.jpg","width":500}])
Anti-racist learning in 2nd grade has accelerated recently with race cars—and beaded bracelets.
![Lower School MLK Assembly]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1612959292/gdsorg/z90ieuhpui4jkvsgygdr/20210210_LS-MLK-Assembly.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1612959292/gdsorg/z90ieuhpui4jkvsgygdr/20210210_LS-MLK-Assembly.jpg","width":500}])
For the Lower School Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly, 1st graders performed in a powerful and touching collection of protest songs and poems.
![Kickin’ it with Kindness Week]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1611780332/gdsorg/kg8lzqnw45dtssqoqsab/20210127_KickinitwithKindnessWeek.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1611780332/gdsorg/kg8lzqnw45dtssqoqsab/20210127_KickinitwithKindnessWeek.jpg","width":500}])
This week, the Lower School kicked off their sixth year participating in the Great Kindness Challenge.
Important Dates
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Virtual
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Lower Middle School
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Lower Middle School
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Lower Middle School
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Lower Middle School
The Latest on Instagram
Meet the Lower School Office
Tenley Peterson
The founding principals and dedication to equity create a beacon of hope that my children will grow up with opportunities to lead and even fail in a safe space.GDS Parent '20 & 34
Tenley Peterson
Thank you for developing the leaders of the future!GDS Parent '29
Tenley Peterson
We are impressed with teachers' commitment, creative energy, and can-do mindset in both in-person or virtual settings.GDS Parent '32
Tenley Peterson
What do I love about GDS? Its commitment to social justice, the unparalleled academics, and the incredible people that make up the community.Alum '09
Tenley Peterson
My children have grown into confident, capable, and accomplished young people who are willing to ask questions, challenge popular beliefs, and look for ways to make the world better for those around them.GDS Parent '15 & '23