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The academic program is both stimulating and carefully geared to children's developmental needs. It guides them to work individually and in groups. In a variety of structured settings, they learn independence, cooperation and tolerance. Each year they expand their knowledge and skills, laying a firm foundation for Middle School.
Hearts, Minds, and Hands
Teachers in the Lower School take great care to know each child's learning styles, and guide and nurture their students as they explore their own interests and unique talents. Small class size is crucial to this approach to individual learning.
The core curriculum stresses language arts and mathematics as well as science, social studies, foreign language and computer skills. A typical school day also includes one or more special classes taught by teachers trained in their appropriate areas. Students experience hands-on activities in the Lower School science laboratory to supplement concepts taught in class. They use the state-of-the-art Lower School computer laboratory for a variety of projects that develop computing skills and familiarity with the computer as a learning tool. Students continue the foreign language they began in preschool, either French or Spanish depending upon their class's year of entry in prekindergarten. Specials also include library, physical education, art, music and dance. Instrumental music is available beginning in grade four for band instruments and earlier for some string instruments.
Beyond the Classroom
To promote an awareness of our community and develop a sense of service to others, all classes take part in community service projects. They may include visiting a senior citizen center, making holiday crafts for a service agency, helping a family in need, planting flowers on campus, or innumerable other possibilities.
Special activites and field trips throughout the year are planned to supplement the basic curriculum. Visiting artists and guest speakers, thematic activites related to classroom units of study, outdoor exploration, and overnight programs extend the classroom experience in imaginative ways. Fourth grade visits New York City in the spring and fifth grade spends five days at the McKeever Environmental Learning Center near Erie, PA.
After School Options
Children may elect to extend the school day for after-school private group lessons, chess, art classes, ceramics, private instrumental music lessons, or to participate in a variety of games and physical activities. Sewickley Academy also offers an intramural athletic program for all 4th and 5th graders one afternoon each week throughout the school year. The objective of the after school program is for the children to stay fit, develop diverse skills, encourage good sportsmanship, learn cooperative tactics, have fun and continue to build relationships with teachers, students and friends.
After Ours care is available until 6 p.m. on school days for children in prekindergarten through fifth grade.
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