Lower School

Families gathered in the North Field Tent on June 5 as students from Prekindergarten through Grade 5 celebrated a year of learning, growth, and achievement during the Lower School Moving Up Ceremony. Head of School Carol Maoz and Head of Lower School Dr. Sandy Lizaire-Duff recognized students for their resilience, compassion, and accomplishments, and thanked families, faculty, and staff for their support throughout the year. Musical performances by each grade, reflections from student speakers, and the symbolic tradition of students processing across the stage to greet their future teachers culminated with Grade 5 students receiving certificates and officially transitioning to Middle School. A heartfelt schoolwide performance of “Teaching Peace,” highlighting the community’s commitment to kindness, inclusion, and respect, concluded the ceremony, bringing the 2025-26 academic year to a close.

Inspired by an idea from Lower School Student Council President Becca Sharon ’33, the Lower School Talent Show showcased the many talents of King students in a supportive, non-competitive environment. With no winners or losers, the event encouraged students to step into the spotlight, build confidence, and express themselves through a wide range of performances. Students entertained their peers with piano and cello pieces, singing, dancing, comedy routines, and even a golf-ball juggling demonstration. From Kindergarten students taking the stage for the first time to older students sharing music, jokes, and dance numbers, the show highlighted creativity, courage, and the joy of performing.

The lower school gym buzzed with excitement on Wednesday, May 20, as Grade 5 students presented their annual science fair projects through colorful displays, interactive demonstrations, and hands-on experiments. Guided by their curiosity, students explored topics ranging from seed paper sustainability and boba ball chemistry to bacteria testing and environmental science. Families, faculty, and peers engaged with the young scientists as they explained their hypotheses, research methods, and findings with confidence and enthusiasm.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day once again filled the Lower School with joy, laughter, and meaningful connection as students welcomed loved ones for a morning of celebration, learning, and community on May 7. Guests enjoyed student musical performances, heartfelt remarks about the important role families and mentors play in students’ lives, and opportunities to visit classrooms and participate in collaborative activities alongside students. Throughout the morning, the event highlighted the strong bonds between generations and offered guests a firsthand look at the creativity, curiosity, and vibrant daily life that define the lower school experience.

Grade 4 students brought nonfiction learning to life through an engaging five-week interdisciplinary project that combined research, literacy, and game design. After studying an animal of their choice and developing skills in paraphrasing, text analysis, and MLA (Modern Language Association) citation, students transformed their findings into interactive video games using the Bloxels Edu app. Each game featured thoughtfully designed characters, environments, and challenges rooted in real-world animal traits and habitats. Through sketching, coding, testing, and peer feedback, students refined their work while building perseverance and creativity.

Enjoy a trip to Spain, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, with a walk through the lower school hallway, where a new display of hands-on Spanish projects bring the languages and cultures of these places to life. Featuring work from Kindergarten and Grades 2 and 3, the display invites visitors to explore farms in Málaga, homes in Costa Rica, and the biodiversity of Ecuador through creative, project-based learning. The experience showcases how language learning opens the door to culture, creativity, and global understanding.