The Lower School continues the great work established in the early learners years by strengthening students’ foundation of good habits and increasing their knowledge of academic subjects.

These are exciting years for students; they will discover the delight of reading, learn to write in both print and cursive, and “experience” history through a “living history day.” Additionally, through the memorization of Scripture, conversation, and reading of the Bible, we are equipping our lower school students with God’s truth and sound reason to guide their thinking and orient their hearts towards what is good, true, and beautiful.

Curriculum

The Lower School establishes a strong foundation by concentrating on the basics such as learning phonograms, memorizing math facts, practicing excellent penmanship, and mastering grammar. Because we focus on the essentials, we are afforded the opportunity to move at a quicker pace, capitalizing on the eagerness to learn often found in young children.

The Lower School schedule begins with a Bible time, where students build an understanding of absolute truth. Throughout the day students examine information, learn vocabulary, memorize grammar and spelling rules, and narrate material as applicable to specific subjects. Because we know students are the most attentive in the morning, we adapt our schedule to teach the most academic work in the morning and reserve the afternoons for specials like art, music, nature studies, Latin, and P.E. To deepen students’ knowledge of a particular subject, we revisit lessons throughout the school year with an aim towards mastery.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Through language and most importantly, the Word, humanity discovers God, the meaning of life, and our responsibility to love one another as God has loved us. Therefore, Providence highly regards the learning of both written and oral language. We teach spelling, writing, and reading phonetically, learning the sounds and “rules” associated with the alphabet and the commonly paired letters in the English language. Students are taught to write with neat print and cursive penmanship, so as to glorify God through our excellence and demonstrate respect to the reader.

The students begin to articulate their thoughts through narration and training in basic writing skills. Narration is a helpful tool to evaluate if a child has comprehended and deeply understood the material. Classic works of noble literature are incorporated to encourage a delight and appreciation of reading excellent books. As students mature, the coursework focuses on gathering and interpreting information, so that students are prepared to articulate their thoughts eloquently and logically.

HISTORY

At Providence, we study the past to understand the present and plan for the future. Differing from most classical educational models, Providence begins with American history in Class One. We do this because we do not want to introduce false gods often associated with ancient history at such a young age. Instead, we capitalize on the excitement and patriotism of our founding fathers and the formation of our country. Students continue to “experience” history through reading biographies, studying maps and timelines, and the “hands-on” event of a “living history day.”

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics orients students towards God’s mind, cultivating an appreciation, knowledge, and mastery of math facts, computation, real life math applications, and development of logical thinking. Providence uses Saxon math and teaches a year above grade level. Additionally, in working toward mastery of math facts, our students practice daily math drills. The goal is that students know simple math computations by heart so that they can quickly and easily tackle the more complex math problems in the future.

NATURE STUDIES AND SCIENCE

We study science to learn about how God created the world and everything in it. Nature studies is how we introduce science to our younger students. This “hands-on” learning approach teaches children to see Christ in all things by participating in nature walks, dissections, and lab experiments. Additionally, we utilize many of the remarkable Dallas museums and incorporate many enriching field trips into the school year. Physical, earth, and life sciences are studied in Classes Three and Four.

LATIN

In keeping with the classical education, Providence instructs all students in Latin, beginning in Class Four. While Latin is not a spoken language in the world today, it has significant value for modern students. Latin provides a foundation that makes modern languages easier to learn; it promotes structured, logical thinking; and it increases students’ English vocabulary. Additionally, the study of Roman history and culture is foundational to an understanding of western civilization.

Take an in-depth look at our curriculum.

CHARACTER TRAINING

The Lower School years continue upon the character training of the Prekindergarten and Kindergarten years. We take the long view approach of educating children, not focusing merely on the mind, but molding a child’s character through the daily practice of righteous habits. Providence is able to more quickly and deeply cover material because we are not constantly having to pause classroom instruction to address disciplinary issues. Students know the classroom expectations and appreciate the peace that is found in the establishment of loving and grace-filled boundaries. Teachers work closely with the student and parents to get to the heart of disciplinary issues and lovingly guide the child back to obedience.

PARENT PARTNERSHIP

We greatly value the partnership which takes place between the School and the parents, and we invite both the mother and father into the process of educating the heart, soul, and mind of the child. Teachers communicate often with parents, corresponding daily through phone calls, emails, and texts; providing robust and insightful commentary on both the academic and character development of the student each trimester; twice-a-year planned parent/teacher conferences; and additional conferences on an as-needed basis. We also welcome parents (and grandparents!) on campus for lunch, Friday Chapel, on field trips, for living history days, and to fill various volunteer needs. As we work together to shepherd our students, we desire to provide ample opportunity for parents to strengthen their relationship with both the School and other parents in their child’s grade.

SHORTER HOURS

To best steward children and family’s time, we abide by a “less as more” philosophy and believe in quality over quantity. It is not until Class Three that our students attend a full day of school, five days a week. Our shorter schedule in Classes One and Two allows children extra time at home to learn under the leadership of parents, to strengthen sibling bonds, and to simply enjoy the beauty and wonder of childhood. It also gives parents time to pursue their own family’s passions, hobbies, and ministry opportunities or to say “no” to multiple extracurricular activities in order to preserve time at home with family and learn the value of unstructured play time.

CLASSES ONE AND TWO

CLASSES THREE AND FOUR

Faculty

LOWER SCHOOL

Our lower school faculty have a deep love of educating children. They are passionate about teaching children to love what they learn: to take joy in the beauty of a poem, to notice the intricate detail of a leaf, or to emulate the characteristics of a virtuous character in a book. Lower school students exhibit a great eagerness to learn; so our faculty enthusiastically feed their intellect through rich literature, a sequential logical mathematics curriculum, science and nature studies, and history that ties in the study of the great masters in art and musical pieces. With a recognition of the profound impact that a teacher can have on a child, we intentionally employ wise, virtuous, godly, nurturing, and exceptional teachers.