LOWER SCHOOL
REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES
Our students learn life skills that take them beyond the classroom and into real world. These experiences foster social responsibility, team work and leadership.
PBL at Woodlawn
CHICKENS!
Chickens are the buzz every spring as the kindergarten class incubates eggs in order to learn first-hand about the life cycle of a chicken. Student scientists care for the eggs, recording temperatures and facts during the 21-day incubation period. Once the chicks hatch, students then observe and care for the chicks in the classroom and later, in the outdoor chicken coop for several weeks to further their understanding. This interactive experience exemplifies project-based learning at Woodlawn.
OFF CAMPUS EXPERIENCES
FIELD TRIPS
Frequent off campus experiences, such as field trips and community service opportunities, allow our students to learn in real-world settings. Field experiences are an integral part of project work and we believe that students should be exposed to authentic learning opportunities and learn from experts in the area. Through service learning, lower school students regularly visit their partner organizations in the community such as Ronald McDonald House, Cornelius Animal Shelter, Mooresville Library, Fifth Street Ministries, La Escuelita, and recycling on campus to serve and understand the impact individuals and groups can make locally and globally.
Tackling life
LIFE SKILLS
Understanding how to best tackle life skills can be tricky as a student navigates through these formative years. Our life skills program is woven into the daily curriculum through social studies and language arts. Through literature, role play, and discussion, students learn tools to help them make smart decisions and adapt to change. Feelings, friendship, and leadership are just a few of the life skills students explore.
Exploring further abroad
Overnight Trips
Students in grades three and four hit the road for overnight field trips that deepen their learning. Third graders travel back to 1607 as they visit Jamestown and experience America’s first permanent English colony. After studying North Carolina geography and history, fourth graders head to the Outer Banks to visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial and the Currituck Lighthouse. Fifth graders put their leadership skills to the test as they attend an overnight that engages them in an outdoor learning environment. From low ropes courses, to orienteering to environmental stewardship, fifth graders spend their time away from campus working as a team and honing their own leadership styles.
A CELEBRATION OF PERFORMING ARTS
WOODLAWN'S GOT TALENT
Families enjoy Woodlawn’s Got Talent as students showcase their talents in the performing arts. The students audition with their chosen talent and perform in front of family and friends on the big day. Providing a showcase of performances chosen by the students themselves is just one of the ways that Woodlawn’s performing arts program supports its students. The music and theater program offers lower school students opportunities to showcase their talents on stage. The visual arts program at Woodlawn engages students in making, interpreting, and learning about art in a meaningful way. Students learn to think and work like real artists so they are proud to showcase their original artwork.
our oldest tradition
WOODLAWN's homecoming DAY
Woodlawn’s oldest tradition comes once a year, early in the fall, and is a campus-wide event for Homecoming. In honor of Dr. George Stinson (the original landowner of Woodlawn’s historic campus), we center the day around celebrating the history of our campus and our athletics programs. The day starts off with a pep rally, Varsity Volleyball and Soccer matches, jump houses, and food trucks to celebrate our 20-year history and thriving community of lifelong learners.
ENTER STAGE RIGHT
AFTERNOON OF THE ARTS
Lower School students participate in the annual Afternoon of the Arts each spring. Budding performers are inspired to audition for the chosen stage show in the fall semester, and are aware that it is a year-long commitment to weekly rehearsals all leading up to the big performance for the entire Woodlawn community.
cheers from the entire student body
Kindergarten Graduation March
Before the formal kindergarten graduation ceremony begins, Kindergarten grads take a lap around the quad while collecting high-fives and plenty of cheers from the entire student body.
from seed to table
GarDening
Woodlawn School’s organic vegetable and flower garden serves as an outdoor classroom for gardening and science classes. Lower School students spend time in the gardens each fall and spring growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Students plant, weed, harvest, add compost, and have fun learning science concepts in the gardens. Students frequently take home organic produce they have grown themselves to enjoy around the dinner table with their family.
sustainable school spirit
Go Green!
Go Green has a dual meaning at Woodlawn. Our school colors are green and white. On spirit days, you will see our Trailblazers showing support with green shirts and even green hair! However, it is also a daily reminder of our focus on sustainable practices and helps us all remember to live lightly on the Earth! Go Green!
stem + arts
STEAMFEST
STEAMfest Live is the largest annual science and arts festival in the region. In April 2022, over 800 guests explored over 60 hands-on activity booths created by students, teachers, local colleges, libraries, museums, schools, clubs, and businesses.
WHY I LOVE WOODLAWN
“A gym or track may not be the most conventional classroom, but what I’ve learned from all the different sports teams, clubs, and groups has helped me become a contributing member of society. Woodlawn is a friendly environment, and the determination of the teachers will help you achieve your goals. Challenging yourself outside of the classroom helps you learn who you are.”
– Amelia W. ’17
AP Scholar with Distinction | Magna Cum Laude
NATURAL LEARNERS
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Woodlawn Students participate in a wide range of Arts and Athletics programs and students engage with the natural settings that surround us on campus through organic gardening, composting, ropes courses, walking trails and much more.
