The Lower School at Staten Island Academy consists of the Early Childhood Division (Pre-K3, Pre-K4, and Kindergarten) and Grades 1-4. Children in Pre-K3 may attend part-time (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) or full-time.

In the Lower School, we are about addressing “the whys.” At this age, children are naturally inquisitive. The Academy seeks to expand upon this curiosity by engaging in theme-based units integrated throughout multiple disciplines such as Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Technology, the Arts, Library, and Language. We put children at the center of their education and are mindful of where they are and what they can achieve. We strive to help each child be the best they can be. Staten Island Academy believes that by building our programs around students, learning can be long-lasting, meaningful, and fun. Our Pre-K3, Pre-K4, and Kindergarten programs are emotionally nurturing, intellectually rigorous, and unique.

Our Educational Philosophy

The road to becoming a lifelong learner starts early. Learning is active, and therefore our teaching must be interactive. Children who feel nurtured, happy, and supported can explore and embrace challenges. We support our students by affording them the time and opportunity to explore and learn at their own pace. Our program guides them toward becoming confident learners through cooperative learning, literature circles, collaborative problem-solving, and share sessions.

Our Most Successful Students

All children can benefit from the Lower School program. Children most successful at the Academy are curious about the world and why things work, are independent and internally motivated, understand the importance of reading, enjoy the collaborative effort and wake up in the morning anxious to ask the next “Why?”

Our Invitation to You

Explore the possibilities! We invite you to use this website to learn more about our programs. We recognize your child’s education is your top priority, and deciding which school is best for your child is a personal choice. We’re excited to offer a series of open house events each year so that you can visit our campus and discover more about Staten Island Academy.