ACADEMICS

Lower School

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Exploring, Growing, Thriving

The Lower School is a place where curiosity is sparked, growth is nurtured, and students thrive as they embark on their educational journey.

Here, children find joy in discovering their abilities, uncovering new talents, meeting challenges with confidence, and building strong, supportive relationships. Together, these experiences create an inclusive and vibrant learning community where every child is encouraged to explore, grow, and thrive.

Academic Program

The Lower School offers a well-rounded academic program designed to meet the needs of Beaufort Academy’s young learners in grades kindergarten through five. Through flexible groupings and differentiated instruction, we nurture fluent readers and writers and cultivate confident, capable math students. Our students learn to think critically, express their ideas effectively, and collaborate successfully—not only in reading, writing, and math, but also across social studies, and science. These programs encourage students to explore and engage with the world around them in meaningful and relevant ways.

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Cultural Studies

The Lower School’s cultural studies program introduces students to Spanish while also offering opportunities to explore a variety of global cultures. Our goal is to help students develop basic Spanish language skills and foster an appreciation for diverse traditions, perspectives, and ways of life, expanding their understanding of the wider world.
Science

In science, students immerse themselves in hands-on lab investigations, exploring topics from ecosystems to engineering. They program robots, design experiments, and build habitats, deepening their understanding through active discovery.
Social Studies

Our social studies curriculum invites students to explore their neighborhood, city, and state. Beyond in-depth classroom study and research, students gain firsthand insights into the rich heritage, culture, and people of our region through visits to historical sites in Beaufort and the state capital.

The Arts

In addition to regular classes in art, Lower School teachers work collaboratively to provide students with interdisciplinary opportunities which combine visual arts and music with classroom learning. Students hone their performance skills through participation in Lower School performances that include a wide array of music, dance, and drama.

Through this rich program, students embrace the discipline of an artist, celebrate their own creativity, and learn to view the world with fresh and thoughtful eyes.

Character Development

To support our commitment to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community, we place a strong emphasis on developing students’ social and emotional skills. These essential skills are best nurtured through meaningful relationships, and our teachers intentionally create opportunities throughout the day to guide students in effective communication, self-regulation, and empathy.

Students also participate in dedicated character education classes designed to strengthen their sense of self, build positive friendships, and navigate challenging situations with confidence and integrity. Ultimately, our goal is to cultivate a community where every student feels valued and learns to recognize and appreciate the value in others.

Map Testing

The Lower School implements the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP Growth) assessments twice a year as one of the many tools to assess students' achievement and growth in mathematics, reading, and language usage. The MAP assessments are a form of computerized testing that show individualized academic student growth throughout the school year. MAP provides teachers with accurate data and feedback to help individualize and modify instruction.

Eagle’s Nest

After-School Program

Beaufort Academy offers an after school program for Lower School students from 2:30pm to 5pm. After school activities include structured play, artwork, puzzles, sciences, outdoor games, playground time and children’s movies. After-care is provided on all regular school days. However, it is not provided on early dismissal days, when there is no school, or on the day before a break. There are limited spots available and pre-registration is required.

Lower School Explorer Clubs

Throughout the year, we offer a variety of after-school clubs designed to spark creativity, build new skills, and encourage fun connections beyond the classroom. These engaging activities run immediately after school until 4:00 p.m., giving students the opportunity to explore new interests in a supportive and playful environment.

Sample offerings include: