Lower School

On June 6, King School’s Lower School community gathered under the North Field Tent for a Moving Up Ceremony that celebrated more than just the end of the academic year. With musical performances, student reflections, and encouraging messages from school leaders, the event honored the growth of students from Kindergarten through Grade 5. The ceremony served as a fitting send-off for the Class of 2032, as rising students were recognized for their resilience, achievements, and readiness for Middle School.

In an inspiring blend of math, creativity, and technology, Grade 4 students dove into geometry by designing and building mini-golf courses. Guided by the question, "How can we as mathematicians use geometric concepts to create a mini-golf course that represents ourselves?" students worked in teams to craft themed obstacles that reflected their personalities. They incorporated shapes, angles, and symmetry, using 3D printers and laser cutters to personalize each course. The project led to a fun showcase where peers and parents played the imaginative courses. This hands-on STEAM experience deepened students’ understanding of geometry and sparked joy, curiosity, and collaboration in the Maker Space.

A few stray balls and a cluster of Prekindergarten students were all it took to launch a months-long exploration of sports in Jessica Vigliotti’s class. What began with simple questions — What game is this for? How do you play it? — quickly evolved into hands-on projects, team-building challenges, and even visits from upper school athletes, all guided by the children’s observations and enthusiasm.

The annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day filled the Lower School with joy and connection on Friday, May 9, as over 180 guests visited students for a morning of engaging activities and shared experiences. The day began with a heartfelt welcome from Head of School Carol Maoz and Head of Lower School Sandy Lizaire-Duff, who emphasized the essential role families and communities play in education. An interactive musical performance from lower school students concluded the morning reception before visitors departed for classrooms to experience hands-on learning, including science experiments, literary exercises, history explorations, engineering challenges, and more!

Grade 4 classrooms became bustling arcades on Wednesday, April 30, as families competed for high scores in student-designed video games inspired by animal research. The event marked the culmination of a nearly two-month interdisciplinary nonfiction unit, where students explored nonfiction texts, honed research skills, and translated their findings into educational, pixel-art games. The project deepened students’ literacy and creative thinking abilities while bringing learning to life in a creative and playful way.

Cheers and applause filled the Grade 5 history classroom on Monday, April 28, as Tyler Sanchez ’32 brought his vision to life by hosting the first-ever Grade 5 Geography Bee. After proposing the idea in January, Tyler worked closely with teacher Helen Santoro to design and plan the event, writing nearly 100 challenging questions and shaping an engaging format that kept his classmates on the edge of their seats. During the event, student teams competed through exciting elimination rounds filled with questions on landmarks, cities, states, and geology. More than just a competition, the Geography Bee was a celebration of student voice, curiosity, and the power of following one's passion, leaving the grade inspired and energized by what may become a beloved new tradition at King.

Leading up to Earth Day, lower school families collaborated on a two-day activity to create a sustainable art installation, transforming recycled wood and plastic bottles into a vibrant display featuring the King logo. Led by Prekindergarten teacher Jen Agro, the project emphasized environmental stewardship and hands-on learning, aligning with the school's STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) educational philosophy. The fun after-school sessions in the lower school courtyard invited families to engage in meaningful conversations about sustainability while contributing creatively to the eco-friendly initiative.

The Lower School buzzed with energy and imagination during the second annual STEAM Morning. Over the course of the event, students and families partnered to solve real-world challenges through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Lessons came alive with engaging Novel Engineering projects inspired by beloved children’s literature, including “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” “The Circus Ship,” and “Maddi’s Fridge.” The stories sparked thoughtful engineering solutions to topics like food preservation, animal care, and flooding. Recyclable materials collected ahead of time played a key role in the designs, reinforcing sustainable practices.

Big day for our little Vikings! More than 100 King School community members gathered on April 5 to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for King's new Early Childhood Center and Sullivan Family Playground. The event marked the completion of the first phase of the school's Master Plan, creating state-of-the-art spaces specifically designed for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten students.