Academics
Lower School (1st-4th Grades)

Lower School Curriculum

The lower school includes 1st through 4th grades. The students focus on several core subject areas each day: language (grammar and composition), spelling, math, social studies, STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Math), and physical education.

Classes in art, French, and music are also offered each week as well as time spent in the Explorium (our lower school library). Each topic is weaved into other subjects creating a true inter-curriculum study.


List of 5 items.

  • ART

    In art, students are exposed to basic art concepts, a variety of artists, new techniques, and materials. They learn to express themselves while becoming confident in their ability to create really awesome art which is often displayed in art shows and throughout our hallways!

  • FRENCH

    In lower school French, students begin with songs, manipulative objects and art projects to begin familiarity with certain phrases. Students progress to speaking, reading, and writing French. By the time a student is in the 4th grade, they begin using the TPRS (Total Physical Response Storytelling) method. With an emphasis on communication, students will perform songs and skits, read stories, watch films, and write in order to build vocabulary, learn grammar, and immerse themselves in the French culture.

  • MUSIC

    In music, students are exposed to a variety of sounds, musicians, instruments, and history. Older students each receive a recorder and learn to play various recorder pieces as well as participate in music theory exercises. All students participate in our annual Lessons & Carols services each December. To learn more about Lessons & Carols, click here.

  • STEM

    STEM consists of a variety of learning experiences that channel the student's natural curiousity as they relate to their everyday world. Concepts move from concrete to more abstract as the students progress through each grade level. This is hands-on, interactive, and interdiscplinary method which supports different learning styles.

  • EXPLORIUM

    The Explorium, our school library, teaches students about authors, titles, and the difference between fiction and nonfiction. They progress into learning about illustrators, publishers, and copyright dates. By the time students are in the 4th grade, they will know how to use reference materials, both hard and electronic, in order to write their first full research paper!

Lower School Faculty

List of 14 members.

Founded in 1950 and located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, Advent Episcopal School is a coeducational, college-preparatory day school for students grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8th.