Lower School

The Lower School at Aquinas Academy aims to develop and foster a child's ability to read, write, think, reason, and calculate well.  With an emphasis on the Good, the True, and the Beautiful our youngest learners are exposed to exploring wholesome literature, history, phonics, grammar, and writing, mathematics, science, and a rich catechesis, all of which is aimed to encourage the child's natural desire to seek and discover Truth.

Rooted in the Catholic Faith

Faith is an integral part of the Lower School and central to our mission at Aquinas Academy. Students in grades K-5 gather together, as a Lower School, to begin their day with prayer. The children learn the Pater Noster, Memorare, Salve Regina, Angelus, and other Catholic prayers. The Lower School students also practice living their faith daily through participation in the mass, sacraments, and serving others. The children embody what it means to know, love and follow Jesus.

Early Virtue Formation

These early educational years are a time of great growth and development.  At this stage, children begin to think and act independently, which provides for natural opportunities to expose the children to learning, practicing, and forming virtuous habits. At the Lower School level, we use virtuous language focused around the Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance. They begin to contemplate what a virtue in practice might look like and sound like and how they too can practice living the virtues through their daily choices.

Time for Play

While we work hard in the Lower School, we also have fun! It is wonderful to both see and hear the joy of learning taking place in our classrooms. Children are given daily opportunities to foster healthy relationships through play and dialogue, participation in team competitions, and engage in enriching classroom activities.

Lower School is a time of wonder, joy, and growth. Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'  (Mt. 19:14).  The Lower School teachers partner with parents in bringing these young children to Jesus through an education rooted in Truth and daily experiences oriented towards the Good, the True and the Beautiful.

At Aquinas Academy, we look to God as "the source and summit" of all we do by planting seeds of Faith in the hearts of our little ones with whom we have been entrusted, and with awe and wonder, witness to God's ongoing cultivation.Mrs. Michelle Repasky, Lower School Director