A Message from Andrea Emmons, Director of  Lower School

Welcome to the AFS Lower School! 

When families ask what makes our Lower School special, I often say: learning here just feels different. From the earliest years, our students are exploring big ideas through meaningful, hands-on projects that connect directly to the world around them. It's real-world learning, right from the start!

Learning by Doing

You might walk into a classroom and see students designing their own postage stamps, building an Egyptian museum, or writing and performing original plays. These kinds of experiences aren’t just fun—they help children develop real academic skills, while also building confidence, collaboration, and curiosity.

Active, Engaged Learners

What’s core to our approach is this belief: children learn best when they’re active participants in their learning. Whether they’re studying local ecosystems, running a school-wide post office, or investigating monarch migration, our students are doing the thinking, the problem-solving, the creating. They’re learning by doing—and loving it.

A Campus That Inspires Exploration

Our campus really supports that kind of learning, too. We have a creek, an arboretum, and lots of natural space that students use regularly. It’s not unusual to see a science class happening outside or a group of students using the woods for storytelling or mapmaking.

Ownership and Voice from the Start

As they grow, students begin to take more ownership. In fourth grade, for example, they help design “Mini Courses” based on what they’re interested in, and we even invite community members in to co-teach. It’s a great example of how we empower kids to shape their own learning journey.

Belonging, Joy, and Purpose

At its heart, our Lower School is all about helping children develop as capable, kind, and curious learners who feel known, heard, and excited to learn each day. We want school to be a place where they feel a deep sense of belonging—and where they can grow into themselves with joy and purpose.

Warmly,
Andrea