Overview of the Lower School

The Lower School at Eagle Hill is comprised of students ranging in age from six to eleven or twelve. Since the Eagle Hill program is ungraded, decisions about placement in the upper vs. lower school division are made based upon individual students’ profiles of learning strengths and needs, the student’s age, and whether there is an appropriate academic peer group. Therefore, while most eleven year olds will be placed in lower school, some may be placed in upper school, and likewise, some twelve year olds may be placed in lower school. The lower school program provides intensive and individualized remedial instruction in each academic area. Class sizes generally range from two to four students in tutorial classes, five to seven in math and writing classes, and up to eleven or twelve in higher level literature, content, and study skills classes. Instruction is designed to be success-oriented, so that students can learn and advance at their own pace. Students are immersed in language development throughout the academic day, within their tutorial classes, writing and literature classes, and Oral Language and Core classes for our younger students. Instruction within each academic area in the lower school can range from beginning skills to grade appropriate skills. For example, instruction in tutorial classes can range from sound/symbol relationships at the lower end to higher-level critical thinking skills for students who are reading at or above grade level. Instruction in all classes is designed to improve skills, develop strategies to more effectively approach academic tasks, and enhance the child’s self-esteem and risk-taking skills. At the lower level of the lower school curriculum, there is much teacher-guided instruction provided, along with direct and immediate feedback. As students’ skills improve, increased emphasis is placed on more independent application of skills and strategies, and the volume of work increases in preparation for a transition to either the upper school program or a post-Eagle Hill placement.