CURRICULUM

In the Lower School, we learn together in a warm, spirited, caring environment. The sound of children’s laughter, the joy of discovery, and a sense of pride in one’s accomplishments are celebrated here.

 

The Lower School community is child-centered. We honor the intellectual, social, and emotional life of each child. Our goal is to foster a love of knowledge and enhance the wonder of learning with a rich and varied curriculum.

 

Our faculty, through diverse styles and interests, inspire creativity and imagination.

 

We provide choices and encourage risk-taking opportunities in a safe, nurturing setting.

 

By recognizing and embracing each child’s unique qualities, we celebrate the similarities and differences among us.

 

We cultivate the gift of curiosity and provide the tools to access information and knowledge.

 

We view learning as a journey, valuing the process and product. We utilize small group work and individual instruction in our classrooms. We use a developmental approach where concepts are taught at appropriate stages. The result is a secure learner and a confident, well-rounded individual.

 

We encourage, model, and develop the process of active listening and clear communications. We prepare children to resolve conflicts, to make thoughtful decisions, and to engage in responsible behavior.

 

La Jolla Country Day is a college preparatory school. The core curriculum includes the introduction and mastery of basic skills, with an emphasis on language arts, mathematics, and science. Incorporated into the curriculum are the visual and performing arts, foreign languages and cultures, physical education, and computer and library education. The varied curricula truly enrich the child’s experiences in Lower School and serve as a foundation for the development of critical and creative thinking.

 

The achievement of our principles is dependent upon the faculty, administration, board of trustees, parents, and students. Communication is vital to this process, as it facilitates the growth and development of our students, intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

 

We are deeply committed to our principles and place an immeasurable value on each individual student’s intellectual exploration, personal growth, and social responsibility.

 

Our students prepare to move beyond the Lower School as competent, secure, and effective members of their future communities.