Lower School
At the University School of Jackson, teachers recognize the importance of establishing a strong foundation in the lives of our youngest students. Our program is educationally stimulating and exemplifies practices that are developmentally appropriate and responsive to the individual needs and talents of our students. Our curriculum is sequential as each lesson builds on what the child has already mastered. Our focus is the whole child—as an academic, emotional, social, physical, and civic-minded person. Through team teaching, self-contained classes, and flexible grouping, students are taught in language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. Students learn in a loving environment that encourages self-discipline, respect, participation, communication, and trial and error. Enrichment programs include art, music, library, technology, world languages, character education, physical education, and a hands-on science lab. Spanish begins with the two-year-old Jr. Cubs program. French is introduced in second grade and continues through fifth grade when students have one semester of French and one semester of Spanish. Opportunities for age-appropriate participation in after-school sports and fine arts further enhance the program.
A Warm and Great Learning Environment
Your child will flourish at a school in which he feels loved and valued. We provide meaningful and challenging opportunities to learn in a nurturing and safe environment. Our teachers know their students well and know what each child needs to feel good about himself and to succeed.
Your child’s study of language, reading, mathematics, science, and social studies in the Lower School is enriched with art, music, foreign language, library, technology, and physical education. Students are taught about respecting themselves, their classmates, and others. Our guidance counselor stresses character education and offers a flexible program to address the real needs of a particular child or class.
Our Lower School provides the building blocks for your child to be successful in our Middle School, a transition to the college-preparatory curriculum in our Upper School. The following are a few of the many reasons:
- USJ offers a solid academic program beginning with Jr. Cubs, these two-year-olds are exposed to a broad literacy-based program that builds a foundation for reading, spelling, grammar, and writing skills. A good structured mathematics program also is introduced at this level. These little ones are building skills that will give them a solid foundation for all of the learning that will be introduced at the next levels. The best part is that it is fun and age-appropriate; the children think they are just playing, but playing is part of the learning process.
- The character education program throughout the Lower School helps students develop skills for everyday living and the character and integrity to be good citizens.
- Computer classes begin in Kindergarten. Our computer lab is equipped with 25 student computers and a full-time computer teacher.
- Each child in Jr. Kindergarten to Fifth Grade participates in a musical production every year, and all Lower School students enjoy a well-rounded, basic music education.
- Physical education classes are offered in each grade, Jr. Cubs-Fifth Grade.
- Foreign language classes begin with the Jr. Cubs. Spanish is taught in Jr. Cubs through Second Grade, with a semester of French added in Third and Fourth Grades. A semester of Spanish and French are taught in Fifth Grade.
- The science curriculum is enhanced by a hands-on science lab offered to students in First Grade through Fifth Grade.
- All Lower School students have art class each week. The school is beautifully decorated with student artwork.
- The Lower School library is an active and exciting center in our school. Weekly library classes are offered at each grade level. Students also have an opportunity to check out books at “Open Library” each morning and afternoon. The library also is open one day each week in the summer with a story time and an opportunity to check out books.
- Part-Time Programs are available for Jr. Cubs and Cubs Students. The Part-Time Jr. Cubs program is Tuesday/Thursday, for Cubs, Monday/Wednesday/Friday.
Add to all of the above a strong and highly qualified faculty, and it is clear that USJ's program is unequaled in the Jackson area. The teamwork between home and school provides a strong foundation that can only lead to success for our students.
