Academics Teaching Faculty Technology Extra-curricular

 Academics

In our Lower School program, we are committed to developing basic skills, mastery of content areas and maintaining an enthusiasm for learning. Our students learn the fundamentals of reading, process writing, mathematics and English through a logical progressive sequence. In addition to these basics, the curriculum includes social studies, handwriting, spelling, science and health. Throughout our program there is an emphasis on the development of good study skills.

The core curriculum is supplemented by "specialty" classes in computer education, art, library/media, music, Spanish, physical education and science lab. In addition, students in grades five and six may elect additional Fine Arts classes which include (depending on grade level) drama, orchestra, strings, chorus and a selection of art offerings.

Field trips, special projects and events, and assemblies supplement work introduced in class. Depending on grade level, students enjoy participation in such activities as science, art and social studies fairs.

As a child moves through grades four to six, there is an added emphasis on organizational skills as individual oral and written reports are required. Our goal is to make our students capable of productive, independent work and success when they progress into our Upper School.

In grades one through five, students are taught in self- contained classrooms and are grouped by ability levels for reading and math. Children are enriched and challenged through a variety of activities designed to foster higher level thinking skills.

In sixth grade, students work with a team of teachers and are grouped according to reading and math skills.

Teaching Faculty

All of our teachers are fully certified, experienced and have an enthusiasm for learning and for the students they teach. Throughout the Lower School, teachers receive help in the classroom from teacher assistants. The assistants, coupled with our low student to teacher ratios, assure that teachers "have time" to give each student the attention he or she needs to be successful. The faculty is also committed to the Heritage philosophy of developing good character and self-esteem, as well as the reinforcement of traditional values in our students. Teachers maintain close communication with parents regarding their child's progress. There are frequent written progress reports, phone calls and scheduled conference days. Our specialty classes are taught by instructors certified in the areas they teach, and those classes are taught in facilities equipped for each subject area. Specialty teachers have full time teaching assistants.

Technology for Tomorrow

Heritage has an ongoing commitment to offer the latest technology to our students. There are four state-of-the-art computer labs which serve the student body. One of them is completely dedicated for use by the Lower School. Besides weekly computer classes, there are additional times during and after school when students are free to use the lab for reports or research. Our library/media center is well equipped with computer access to the finest libraries and information centers in the world. A library/technology assistant is available to show students the most effective way to use the Internet as well as the software available in the library. The Technology Department is committed to effective use of computers in the classrooms. The working plan for classrooms is three fold: increase to seven the number of computers in each room; continue to train teachers to effectively integrate computer use into class work; and secure for student use software which is relevant to the curriculum.

Extra-curricular Activities

There is a wide and varied array of after school activities offered to our Lower School students. After school classes in art, dance, instrumental music, karate, cooking, computers and other areas of interest to students are available. Students may also participate in Student Council, Junior Thespians or Math Superstars.

Of interest to many Lower School students are the home games played by Heritage Varsity or Junior Varsity teams. Students participate in regularly scheduled pep rallies which build pride in the Heritage teams. Lower School students and parents are invited to cheer on the Stallions at home games. During football season, one football player and a cheerleader become "buddies" to each Lower School class, providing positive role models for their younger fans.