Welcome to Fieldstone's Lower School. The goal of the Lower School is to provide outstanding learning opportunities in and out of the classroom, and to produce motivated individuals of character with a strong knowledge base, and a thirst for learning.

Between Kindergarten and Grade Six we strive to achieve a number of very important things with our students. These early years of education are integral in a child's development. E.D. Hirsch determined that the most single important determining factor of an adult's success is the knowledge base they acquire before adolescence.

In order to ensure we take full advantage of this critical period of learning, we use an extremely unique curriculum rich in content and skills called Global Knowledge. (Please refer to the document entitled "Global Knowledge, the Bigger Picture and What is Global Knowledge" available on our website or from the Admissions Department, for more information).

We endeavor to teach our students a broad and deep knowledge base in all academic subjects. We expose our students to a number of subjects and topics that they would otherwise not learn about until much later in their schooling. These include the following: Shakespeare, classic literature (including famous poetry), world religions, chemistry, Latin, and world history.

An appreciation for, and knowledge of the Arts is also essential in developing a solid Global Knowledge base. Students take music appreciation daily, learn how to play stringed and Orff instruments, study art history, drama, and attend a number of symphonies and plays as opportunities arise.

Beyond our regular classroom we also run a highly successful character development programme, a gifted programme, provide after school tutorials and offer a vast number of co-curricular activities that serve to reinforce learning, or further a child's interests and learning outside the walls of the classroom.

Although we do attract a number of gifted learners as a result of our outstanding curriculum, by no means does a student need to be gifted to excel at Fieldstone. Average students have just as much to gain from this rich and diverse curriculum. Often, average students become "ignited" by Global Knowledge and become engaged and motivated to learn more and more.

While an outstanding knowledge base and skill set are highly important to a child's development, the character students develop while in the Lower School is of the utmost importance at Fieldstone. We truly believe that "Character Counts!" and we make every effort to build individuals who emulate trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship through our character programme.

All of this learning, exposure and character building takes place within a structured, nurturing and caring environment. The faculty in the Lower School are truly outstanding and caring individuals that believe in our vision and deliver it every day in their classrooms. I look forward to working with you and your child alongside this fantastic faculty to develop him or her into a well-rounded, knowledgeable, and motivated person of character.

Sincerely,

Melissa Volekaert
Head of Lower School