In the Lower School, we believe our primary job is to provide each of our students with a solid academic and social-emotional foundation on which their future education can rest. Our curriculum is rigorous, inventive and structured in a way that allows for instruction to be tailored to each student. Our faculty is supportive, enthusiastic and visionary as they establish our students as lifelong learners and help them hone critical skills. Our community is welcoming and inclusive with a deep commitment to respecting the individual and honoring each person’s unique traits and talents.

Step into the Lower School on any given day and feel the vibrant energy of young minds, fully engaged. There is a bustle in our classrooms and hallways as students and teachers participate in project-based learning and intra-departmental projects. Our curriculum includes not only the core subjects of math, reading, writing, science and social studies but also music, art, technology, mindfulness and Spanish. Discovery classes enable students to engage more fully in activities or pursuits they are passionate or simply curious about.

Students are encouraged to be confident, secure in the knowledge that any new experience will give them the opportunity to grow and excel. Maintaining a low teacher-to-student ratio enables our teachers to operate as a close-knit team who monitors your child’s progress closely. Our committed teachers also bring creative insight and innovative methods to their classrooms and subjects. 

Of course, the bedrock of your child’s educational foundation is you, the parent or caregiver. At Saddle River Day School, we value the partnerships we forge with each of our families and find that we are stronger as a community because of our close ties. These ties extend into the broader community as we introduce our youngest learners to the concepts of stewardship and empathy. We always lead with kindness. 

 I invite you to visit us during one of our open houses this fall to learn more about our school and our facilities. I look forward to seeing you in the Lower School soon!

Lower School by the Numbers