Lower School | Windermere Preparatory School

WINDERMERE PREP'S LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM

At Windermere Prep, our Lower School learners enjoy rich opportunities for intellectual, emotional, and social growth – making us one of the best elementary schools in the Windermere area of Orlando. In our elementary classrooms, we emphasize hands-on experiences in a fun, stimulating environment that’s both challenging and supportive.

THE LOWER SCHOOL CURRICULUM AT WINDERMERE PREP

Our elementary school curriculum, known as Lower School at Windermere Prep, is designed to build confidence, creativity, and instill a love of learning in every child. We encourage our students’ natural curiosity by asking them to find solutions to meaningful questions. This strengthens their critical thinking skills and unlocks an exciting journey of exploration and discovery, which spans the specialist subjects.

Our Lower School is a vibrant elementary educational community that promotes growth, encourages innovation, and enables each student to partake in a breadth of personalized opportunities.

lower school subjects

Our highly qualified elementary school curriculum teachers deliver an integrated program that fosters creativity, teamwork, and independence, while meeting grade-level standards.

Daily routines are built around reading, writing, phonics, spelling, math, science, social studies, life skills, and character development. Students also enjoy enrichment opportunities spanning the visual arts, theatre, dance, music, band, chorus, Spanish, Dream Lab, physical education, and our Knowledge Center.

lower school traditions

As part of Lower School life at Windermere Prep School in Orlando, we have several longstanding traditions.

The Laker Learning Buddy Program

‘To teach is to learn twice’. Such is the rationale behind our Laker Learning Buddy Program. Windermere Prep Lower and Middle School students are paired together, creating a relationship where Buddies support each other and grow over the years. They also meet monthly and take part in collaborative projects and activities. These meetings extend the curriculum and enhance learning across our community.

The Kindergarten 'Starting My Story' Ceremony

We celebrate our students’ completion of Early Childhood at a lavish ceremony. Wearing their caps and gowns, our young graduates brilliantly share what they've learned, demonstrating the progress they have made. The ceremony is a cherished event that creates fond memories for years to come.

The Fifth Grade 'Crossing the Bridge' Ceremony

Fifth grade signifies the end of elementary school at Windermere Prep. At the time of the ‘Crossing the Bridge’ Ceremony, our students will have spent eight years preparing for Middle School. During the ceremony, our students present personal reflections of their learning and members of our Middle School student body welcome them. They also receive a red star pin that signifies their completion of Lower School, which they wear with pride on their formal dress day blazer.

strong teacher-student relationships

One of the best elementary schools in Orlando, Windermere Prep empowers our Lower School students to shape their own academic journey. Our world-class educators will build a strong relationship with your child, fueling their success through excellent communication, the very best pastoral care, and expert academic guidance – including extra support or challenge.

FIND OUT MORE

primary

EARLY YEARS
Lower school

A typical day in EARLY YEARS

In Pre-K3 and Pre-K4, our youngest learners make great progress alongside their classmates. Through hands-on experiences, every day is filled with creativity and play.

STUDENT LIFE

CIRCLE TIME

At morning “circle time,” we greet each other, recall what we learned yesterday, and talk about what we’ll be doing today. It’s an exciting time for sharing as a group.

COMING TOGETHER

GET ACTIVE

Physical Education (PE) class is super fun because we’re always moving and being encouraged by Coach Hock to be active! We build our teamwork and use our bodies in an obstacle course — jumping, crawling, and hopscotching our way.

JUMPING, HOPPING, AND CRAWLING

LUNCHTIME REFUELING

It’s great to take a break from lessons and activities during lunch. We talk with classmates and gather with others across all grades. We’ll refuel and relax before afternoon activities.

SOCIALING, RELAXING, AND RE-ENERGIZING

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

We get to explore ourselves creatively through finger painting with Mr. Snow. The hands-on experience helps us identify primary colors and remember how we can mix them into secondary colors.

FINGER PAINTING

READING ALOUD

At story time, our teacher or special guest will read a book to us, as we learn new facts, imagine other worlds, and discover intriguing characters. Our Head of School even likes to come in to read to us!

LISTENING

A TYPICAL DAY IN LOWER SCHOOL

Between Kindergarten and grade 5, our students learn, grow, and develop their understanding across different subjects and ideas.

STUDENT LIFE

READING DISCUSSION GROUPS

Sitting in small groups, we start our day reading together. Within the group, each classmate warms up, getting comfortable sharing thoughts with others. We discuss the characters and plot and then summarize our thoughts in a whole-group discussion.

SHARING

SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

In science class, we learn about osmosis by testing sugar, salt, and vinegar on gummy bears. We make observations, record data, analyze, and draw conclusions.

EXAMINING AND TESTING

REFUELING FOR SUCCESS

We can buy lunch in the cafeteria, refuel as we socialize with friends, and play games during recess. Lunchtime is perfect for recharging our batteries and expressing ourselves among our peers.

SOCIALING, RELAXING, AND RE-ENERGIZING

GROWTH THROUGH DANCE

In dance class, we rehearse for “Crossing the Bridge,” the fifth-grade graduation ceremony. We perform an uplifting dance that helps us showcase our growth and maturity.

PRACTICING AND PERFORMING

GET IMMERSED IN MUSIC

During music class, we learn how to sing, play the xylophone, and play the recorder. We practice different kinds of music, discuss composers, and learn each song’s history, making links to the world today and current events.

LISTENING AND PLAYING

PLAYING GOLF

After school, a professional golf company shows us how to hit a ball, going for distance and accuracy. Classmates and students from other grades participate, and we practice striking the ball!

MAKING YOUR MARK