Lower School Program of Studies 2009-10 (course descriptions by subject and grade; download for web view)

Lower School Program of Studies 2009-10 (download for print)

Please note: In each Program of Studies document, you will see a reference to the "FSC Logo"; we are proud to have our printed materials certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The logo is not included in the download version of the documents, since we do not control how they might be printed.

Friends Lower School serves students in preschool (age two) through fifth grade. All aspects of the program address, as mutually supportive, students' intellectual, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual development. Students' diverse interests and talents are nurtured in a learning community that provides flexibility, support, and encouragement, while maintaining high standards for intellectual endeavor and personal responsibility. The curriculum is integrated across disciplines, and in addition to core academic classes (language arts, math, science, social science) features the following specials: computer lab, Spanish, art, music, and physical education.

The fifth grade program provides a transition to middle school. Fifth graders rotate classrooms for social science, science, and writing, giving students responsibility for managing a departmentalized program and for working with a greater variety of teachers. Letter grades are also introduced in fifth grade.

There are two preschool programs available: the Friends Preschool located in downtown Wilmington, for children ages two and three, offering a full-day program; and Alapocas Threes, a half-day program on the lower school campus for three-year-olds.

Before-school care is available beginning at 7:15am on the Alapocas campus and at 7:30am at the downtown Preschool. Our After-School Program (ASP) serves students in PK-6th grade, with two pick-up times, 4:45 or 6:00pm. Extended Day at the downtown Preschool is part of the program. Childcare is available by pre-registration on designated school vacation days (separate from ASP and Extended Day).

The lower school campus in Alapocas is approximately 30 acres, including wooded areas, with two buildings totaling 68,000 square feet. The Preschool is located at First & Central Presbyterian Church on Rodney Square in downtown Wilmington. For a brief visual introduction to the lower school, please see the Lower School Slideshow.