when interpersonal conflicts arise, teachers are able to provide redirection or problem-solving strategies that are focused and relatable. In the early years, boys are taught things like how to read and interpret facial expression and body language so they can better respond to social situations. In first grade, boys are thinking about the difference between being an upstander or a bystander, and by third grade, they are exploring intent versus impact. Above all, the common theme in Lower School is to follow The Golden Rule as boys aspire to be the“ good men” of Saint David’ s.
Learning continues for the boys in Spanish, social studies, the arts, and science. Our immersive Spanish program begins in Pre-Kindergarten and continues through Upper School. The curriculum is carefully designed to be interdisciplinary, often aligning with the concepts being taught in other content areas. A model for this is the Omega Career Study, a unit during which the boys learn about the various careers held by parents of their classmates. In their different classes, boys participate in numerous activities including read-alouds, writing activities, and listening to guest speakers. Through activities, games, and songs, the career study is also brought to life in Spanish class; thus forging an even richer experience for the boys. Often through cross-curricular, indepth studies like this, we partner with members of the broader community in a way that extends our campus past the buildings on East 89th Street. An example of this is our partnership with the Guggenheim Museum. Throughout the first semester, second-grade boys spend their art classes at the Guggenheim. There, they explore the current exhibits before visiting the museum’ s art studios where they create their own works. To culminate this signature experience, parents are invited to a private tour of the museum led by our very own second-grade docents. At the end of the tour, in the rotunda, guests explore each boy’ s art pieces in their official museum debut. Similarly, our science curriculum often connects to other disciplines in a way that develops boys’ understanding of science content and process through hands-on investigative opportunities that encourage boys to guide their own discovery by generating questions and testing hypotheses. As a capstone project to their time in Lower School science, third grade boys participate in the annual Nerdy Derby. Integrating concepts mastered in math, science, engineering, and woodshop, boys build miniature cars and then race them on the infamous Saint David’ s track. This day at the races is certainly one of the most anticipated events of Lower School!
While our esteemed faculty continue to use research on best practices for teaching boys in order to offer a wide-ranging and focused curriculum, instruction at Saint David’ s goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. Field trips, signature events, and partnerships with renowned New York City institutions round out an experience that leaves boys enlightened, intellectuallychallenged, and above all,“ good.” In every endeavor- academic, artistic, athletic, and spiritual- Saint David’ s Lower School program nurtures each boy’ s rigorous pursuit of becoming a more thoughtful, capable, and compassionate version of himself. •
“ Boys bring their wonderful intellectual curiosity to all mathematical investigations, through a program designed to engage and challenge them.”
Hope Lippens is the Head of Lower School at Saint David ' s.