Day in the Life

Jayne begins each day with a warm welcome. She’s greeted in the carline by a teacher, and as she nears Chilton House, our head of early learning offers a handshake — a simple act of courtesy that helps set the tone for the day ahead.

Upon entering her classroom, Jayne puts her things in her cubby, showing her independence and grasp of classroom routines. Next, students gather for their morning meeting — a daily forum where they discuss the day’s agenda and schedule. It’s also a time to reflect on yesterday’s lessons and how that knowledge will shape the day.

After their morning meeting, Jayne is offered a broad range of powerful learning opportunities — some independent, some collaborative, and some within small groups led by a teacher. These might include math and science exploration, experiences in language and literacy, or self-expression through the arts.

Jayne and her classmates practice table manners and conversation skills during their morning snack period. This early gathering is a wonderful chance for the children to chat, ease into their day, and connect with friends and teachers. (Note: The school provides snacks, but families are responsible for packing lunch or ordering through the school lunch program.)

Outdoor learning is a key part of Jayne’s day. Through our environmental science program, young students are developing a foundational understanding of the natural world. As Jayne and her friends care for the garden through planting, watering, observing, collecting data, and harvesting, they are learning how to appreciate and protect the natural environment in a sustainable and meaningful way.

Jayne has been learning about our school’s 4 C’s: Courtesy, Consideration, Cooperation, and Compassion. These principles are practiced schoolwide and encourage students to contribute to a positive and inclusive community. Jayne is learning how her actions and mindset can positively impact others.

Jayne is working on a vibrant tejer (weaving) project in El Estudio. Students first decorate plates with intricate mandala designs. They then begin weaving with colorful yarn while practicing their Spanish vocabulary. This seamless integration of Spanish into the creative process strengthens their listening skills and builds a foundational understanding of the language through interactive, hands-on learning.

Jayne and her classmates are gathered for their daily read-aloud with Ms. Garcia. This joyful time is profoundly important for building the foundation of emergent reading and comprehension skills, fostering a lifelong love of books.

Jayne joins her classmates for the closing meeting. This daily routine helps her cement the lessons and remember the activities she enjoyed most. It’s a great way to finish the day with a sense of accomplishment and look forward to the engaging activities awaiting her tomorrow!

Ruhaani’s school day starts with a meaningful daily routine. She is greeted at the Little School building by Amelia Gold, the head of lower school and director of the arts, who offers a personal handshake, personally welcoming her to campus and setting a positive tone for the day ahead.

Ruhaani and her classmates gather for their morning meeting. The teacher leads a discussion to review the schedule and clarify expectations, ensuring the children know how to best participate and support each other. It’s a foundational time to build community and focus for the day!

Ruhaani’s mornings are full of exciting challenges. She dives into math by building and solving problems with a four-step process. In English language arts, she uses phonics practice to quickly learn new words, strengthening her reading and writing skills every day!

Ruhaani’s afternoons are an exciting journey into specialized skill-building. She dives into digital literacy by researching databases in the library and gains practical coding experience by programming physical robots in computer science. To round out her studies, she develops fluency in Spanish and hones her creative talents by exploring global cultures through visual and dramatic arts.

It’s time for P.E., and Ruhaani’s class is working together on challenges that build gross motor skills and coordination. Through cooperative games, they learn to practice teamwork, clear communication, and sportsmanship. These activities are vital for teaching them how to collaborate with peers and lead in every area of school life.

Ruhaani’s class takes science beyond the classroom! They head to our 14-acre certified wildlife habitat brook to observe and identify local organisms. This fieldwork then inspires lab work, where the class applies the engineering design process to build and refine a movable bridge and design functional water filters. This integrated approach builds practical skills right from the source!

While Ruhaani packs up for the day, the Little School remains a welcoming hub for extended learning. Our campus offers many engaging after-school activities, ensuring that fun and learning continue with choices like Math Academy and Chess Club.

As Lucas approaches the Morrow House building, he gets friendly handshake and warm welcome from Jed Silverstein, head of middle school and director of secondary school placement. This simple act of courtesy ensures Lucas feels seen, valued, and ready to make the most of his school day.

Mornings are for building strong foundations. In English language arts, Lucas hones critical reading and writing skills anchored in classic and contemporary literature. Humanities provides a global perspective through Asian Studies, while math builds a strong conceptual bridge to algebraic problem-solving for real-world application.

Music education is a vital part of our curriculum. As a dedicated cellist, Lucas hones his skills in small-group sessions three times a week with expert faculty, many of whom have affiliations with prestigious institutions like Juilliard. In preparation for a weekly full orchestra rehearsal, he contributes to the high standards of a program whose ensembles have had the privilege of performing at venues like Carnegie Hall.

Next, Lucas and his classmates are refining their skills through cooperative and individual challenges. From honing basketball techniques to tackling agility drills, P.E. is where students build coordination, endurance, and the teamwork vital for success both in and out of the gym.

As a seventh grader, Lucas participates in Leadership Lab, an integral curriculum component. Students first learned to apply the Human-Centered Design Process to pitch innovative solutions to the full school community in a Shark Tank–style challenge. They now prepare for the Ethics Bowl, learning logic, rhetoric, and collaborative moral reasoning — empowering them to practice thoughtful, ethical judgment.

In science class, Lucas is engaged in a water chemistry project that explores fundamental building blocks of the universe. This hands-on, interdisciplinary work strengthens his scientific proficiency by directly applying skills from math (calculating volume and proportion) and technology (problem-solving). This integrated approach teaches Lucas to develop evidence-based explanations and present his scientific insights innovatively.

After their academic day ends at Morrow House, many students transition to athletic programs. Lucas and his classmates often head to on- or off-campus competitions. For participants, the school provides an organized dismissal using the late bus, ensuring students stay engaged and get home safely after their events.