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Letter From Lower School   
I am glad you are interested in Hilton Head Prep's Lower School. Choosing a school is a complex process and I encourage you to visit and talk with us. Prep's Lower School provides a warm and friendly environment where children from kindergarten through fifth grades learn and develop good habits of mind and practice. Through observation and assessment, teachers determine the appropriate level of challenge for students and develop learning opportunities that are challenging. Students begin to see mistakes as a tool of learning and to value the effort needed to reach higher levels of mastery. So teachers may accommodate a range of abilities and skill levels, class sizes are small. Throughout the school year, teachers work on grade level teams and subject area committees to ensure that skills of reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science are presented in a thoughtful sequence. A well-rounded group of specialists in the arts, Spanish, guidance, and technology work to extend classroom learning. As we talk about the values of respect, responsibility, and restraint, we encourage the everyday practice of cooperation and self-control. Working on academic problems, playing at recess, or deciding where to sit at lunch offer multiple opportunities for practical character development lessons. Strong relationships with parents are a vital part of an effective Lower School program. Classroom newsletters go home on Tuesday with information about learning on grade levels and the division at-large. Additionally, phone calls, emails, and notes between school and home keep parents informed about and involved with the daily happenings in the Lower School. I look forward to meeting you and sharing our learning vision with you.
J. Hugh Bland |
