Lower School

At St. Paul's our first, second, and third grades focus on building a solid foundation in language arts, math, social studies, and science. Our talented teachers design creative projects, hands-on activities, and real-life applications, always paying particular attention to the differences in learning styles and abilities.

Each spring our first grade students become authors, writing and illustrating their own personal library to be shared with their classmates. A second grade classroom can be transformed into a tribute to the mighty Mississippi running through it or a dinosaur cave that is used to demonstrate the mastery of mathematics. And third grade students dissect fetal pigs as a culmination of their study of human anatomy.

These are the years our young scholars begin to blossom, and their self-confidence begins to soar, as they become competent readers and mathematicians. The children learn from specialists in art, music, religious studies, physical education and library. The students also take computer classes and have technology incorporated into all their core subjects.

Our students are also taught effective conflict resolution in order to help them deal effectively with their peers. The lower school students participate in Project Panther as teachers lead activities dealing with topics such as self-esteem, bullying, and drug awareness, all on an age-appropriate level. St. Paul's students are encouraged to celebrate their uniqueness as they move toward pre-adolescence.

Fourth grade is considered a year of transition and for the first time students attend an overnight camping trip. In addition, they are introduced to service learning programs and participate in student-led parent-teacher conferences. This is a special time, and a year that gives students the opportunity to grow, but still remain in an environment that is nurturing and encouraging.