Lower School

Since its founding in 1983, Seacrest has embraced the concept that the best approach to learning is one which works beyond the boundaries of traditional curriculum guidelines. Seacrest Lower School students benefit from a program of integrated learning that affords them the opportunity to combine literacy, science, technology, mathematics in their daily explorations.

Our Lower School mathematicians are immersed in problem-based learning through mathematics experiences at Seacrest. Whether counting, patterning, efficiently modeling multi-digit numbers, justifying thinking, building relationships between operations, strategically planning floor plans using formulas, applying mathematical operations to consumer math, or fluently multiplying to determine fractional equivalence, our Lower School students are growing their mathematical minds.

Much like the seasons in a year, this process happens slowly through the cultivation of foundational skills, mathematical mindset, vocabulary, number sense, perseverance, and focus. It happens over time and surprises us with its joys. Our students are becoming analytical mathematical thinkers.

The focused and coherent math program paired with the professional Lower School faculty’s expertise set firm mathematical foundations in our Lower School students over the course of the academic school year. 

Mike Manley Math Hub

New this year, our students enjoy visiting the Mike Manley Math Hub in our brand new STEAM center. Students come for small group work to back up concepts taught in the classroom. Many "regulars" come for study groups before their math tests.

We celebrate individual student gains as we award certificates for growth and gains each month. 

All Lower School students at Seacrest experience the beauty of art and music. From learning about the most important artists and musicians in the world to displaying their own masterpieces and performing at Flag Ceremony and concerts, our students understand the role that art and music play in their development. Our halls are covered with exciting artwork and our campus rings with music every day.

Our Spanish immersion program is a curriculum designed to incorporate a second language and develop language acquisition in a natural style. The focus is not on learning how the language works, but rather on exploring the language by organic instruction in their classroom setting. Being spoken to in two different languages starting at a young age develops mental flexibility, which teaches students to differentiate information and focus on what’s relevant.

Goals:

• For students to be actively engaged in the language, inside and outside of classroom.
• Cultural awareness, and an understanding and acceptance of behaviorisms of cultures other than their own.

Seacrest encourages all students both to “do well and do good”. Throughout the entire school a culture of empathy, compassion, kindness and integrity informs our learning. Our youngest Lower School students are introduced to Olly the Otter who inspires conversations about what students “otter” do in difficult situations. Our older students understand the privileges and responsibilities of being members of a community. Our Lower School has an active community outreach program with visits to local senior citizen facilities and a public elementary school. The importance of environmental sustainability is nurtured through students’ work in our organic gardens.

From learning to code to creating video projects, Seacrest students receive a strong foundation in skills they will need in the future. Utilization of the most current educational technology assures that our students are able to access many tools to enhance their educational experience.

Our school's Director of Technology Integration and his team collaborate with classroom teachers to find exciting opportunities for technology to be incorporated into different projects and in age- and developmentally appropriate ways.

Two computer labs, an STEAM Lab, a LEGO robotics program, pre-coding SMART games, a robust iPad program, and many other thoughtful hands-on tools provide students with learning spaces in which to be innovative and inspired.

Seacrest is truly a community of learners. Our youngest members in the Lower School recognize the leadership of our older students. Although there is a formal Peer Mentoring program in place, each day provides opportunities for our older students to interact with our Lower School. Lunch time with buddies, impromptu kickball games and shared lessons are only a few of the ways that our Lower School is engaged with the entire school community.

Seacrest’s emphasis on healthy living extends beyond the traditional physical education classes to an active program of teaching our youngest students how to make good choices in food and activity. Through active practice of mindfulness our students are taught how to manage stress in our fast-paced world.