Lower Division Academics - Stevenson School Skip to content Lower Division Academics Lower Division Academics stevensoncommunications 2025-09-21T08:01:49-07:00 A Journey of Growth and Discovery Our students not only learn academic subjects but also the art of learning itself—how to express ideas, share thoughts and balance being uniquely themselves while becoming part of a greater community. Mrs. Nifemi Lesi Head of the Lower Division Our Approach At Stevenson’s Lower Division, we believe that learning is most meaningful when it is joyful, engaging, and connected to the real world. Our philosophy is rooted in creating a strong foundation for lifelong learning through inquiry, exploration, and responsive community practices. We engage students in inquiry-based experiences that invite them to ask questions, investigate ideas, and apply their learning in hands-on ways. Whether studying local habitats, exploring history through storytelling, or collaborating on math investigations, students are encouraged to see learning as both personal and purposeful. Beyond the classroom, our enriched after-school programs, including hands-on classes in cooking, fashion design, digital fabrication, gardening, service and robotics, inspire creativity and innovation, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to explore and develop their unique talents and voices. Small by Design Our division is intentionally small by design, allowing us to nurture each child’s learning journey with focus and care. Most of our classrooms have two teachers, which ensures that students receive targeted, differentiated instruction across all core subject areas. This structure allows us to know each child deeply, provide personalized support, and foster curiosity and confidence in every learner. Responsive Community Classroom The Lower Division is a Responsive Classroom . We believe that academic success is inseparable from social-emotional growth. Through consistent routines, morning meetings, and a focus on respectful communication, students from kindergarten through fourth grade learn how to collaborate, problem-solve, and build a caring school community. These tenets guide everything from classroom culture to recess play and help children feel safe, known, and empowered to learn. All of our faculty and staff are trained in implementing the foundations of this approach into all aspects of school for our students. A Connected, Joyful Foundation The Lower Division at Stevenson ensures that students grow as confident, capable learners who are curious about the world around them. By combining inquiry-based academics with Responsive Classroom practices, we prepare children not only for the next grade level, but also for lives of meaning, curiosity, and contribution. Learning Support Services We are committed to meeting students where they are and helping them reach their fullest potential. Our division is supported by two dedicated Learning Specialists who partner with classroom teachers and families to provide individualized academic support. At times, this means serving as an additional teacher in the classroom, or working one-on-one with students to provide remediation in areas of challenge or acceleration for students ready for deeper exploration. Our Learning Specialists use a variety of research-based strategies and curriculum resources to support student learning. We utilize Bridges Intervention, among other tools, to provide targeted skill development and reinforce foundational concepts Assessment & Progress Monitoring Assessment is an integral part of our approach. We believe in using multiple measures to understand each child’s growth, set goals, and guide instruction. This includes: Small group instruction that allows for targeted teaching and meaningful feedback Guided reading sessions that strengthen literacy development and foster a love of reading Conferring and one-on-one meetings with teachers to personalize learning and set individual goals Frequent teacher touch points to help students clearly understand their progress and next steps We also use benchmark assessments throughout the year to provide a comprehensive view of student learning and growth. These include: NWEA MAP Growth assessments – (Grade 3 & 4) Developmental Reading Assessments (DRAs) Acadience Reading IMSE Phonics assessments Equity and Phonemic Awareness curriculum-based assessments Together, these practices ensure that students not only make progress, but also develop the skills to understand their own goals, monitor their growth, and take ownership of their learning. Social–Emotional Learning Academic growth is inseparable from social and emotional growth. We utilize the Responsive Classroom approach, a research-based model that integrates social-emotional learning with academic instruction. Responsive Classroom emphasizes building strong relationships, creating joyful learning communities, and fostering student independence. In practice, this means we explicitly teach and model core values such as kindness, respect, community, safety, and belonging. Through daily routines, classroom conversations, and reflective practices, students learn how to care for themselves, one another, and their community. To help students develop self-awareness and self-regulation, we incorporate tools such as: Zones of Regulation, which teaches students how to identify and manage their emotions The RULER program, which equips students with strategies to recognize, understand, label, express, and regulate feelings Voice and choice opportunities, encouraging students to use their voices to advocate for themselves, express their needs, and contribute positively to their community These approaches ensure that students grow not only as learners, but also as empathetic, confident, and resilient individuals who are equipped with the skills to navigate both school and life. Our Philosophy and Values Grounded in our student learning values, we nurture students to be: Deep Thinkers who explore ideas and concepts with curiosity and by questioning the world around them. Understanding Learners who make meaningful connections between school and life beyond the classroom. Resilient Problem-Solvers who approach challenges with confidence and creativity. Nurturing Community Members who care for themselves, others, and the environment. Curriculum At Stevenson, method and content are intertwined: how we teach is as important as what we teach. Daily Schedule & Homework Our daily schedule reflects our understanding of how students learn and live best. After-School Program The After-School Program provides structured, fun opportunities to gain new skills and pursue interests in the arts, STEM, and fitness. Educators with Depth, Training and Experience Our Lower Division teachers are both passionate educators and highly trained professionals who continually expand their practice through meaningful professional development. At Stevenson, we believe that when teachers learn deeply, students thrive. Over the past several years, our faculty have engaged in professional learning across multiple disciplines, including: The Science of Reading and IMSE/Orton-Gillingham Phonics Teachers are trained in evidence-based phonics and phonemic awareness methods to ensure students build strong foundations in decoding, fluency, and comprehension. Morphology (Grades 3–4) Faculty are trained in IMSE’s Morphology program to teach word structure, including prefixes, suffixes, and roots, helping students expand vocabulary and strengthen comprehension. Collaborative Classroom Programs Kindergarten and Grade 1 teachers are trained in Being a Reader , blending literacy instruction with community-building practices. Context for Learning Mathematics (New Perspective Mathematics) Faculty are trained to lead inquiry-based math instruction that emphasizes problem-solving, investigations, and problem-string routines. Responsive Classroom All Lower Division teachers are retrained in Responsive Classroom practices, grounding instruction in social-emotional learning alongside academic growth. Inquiry Journeys Curriculum Teachers are trained in inquiry-based social studies instruction, where each unit culminates in action projects that connect learning to the real world. Zones of Regulation and SEL Training Teachers are trained to help students build self-regulation, resilience, and social-emotional awareness, using restorative approaches to discipline. Play Therapy and Child Development Supports Training in play-based therapeutic techniques helps students to navigate emotions, self-expression, and transitions with confidence. Harvard-Based Professional Learning Select faculty have participated in professional development grounded in Harvard’s Project Zero frameworks and Harvard Graduate School of Education training, focusing on visible thinking routines, inquiry, and equity-driven practices that deepen student learning. Ongoing Training In keeping with this theoretical framework, our teachers practice and receive regular continuing training in: Critical exploration Differentiated instruction Explicit instruction Inquiry-based instruction Mediated learning Project-based learning Scaffolding Service learning Cultural competence and cultural humility Foundations of Expression: Writing Workshop Our teachers are trained in the Writing Workshop model developed by Lucy Calkins and her colleagues at Teachers College Columbia University’s Reading and Writing Project, a dynamic program designed to make writing an essential tool for thought, communication and personal growth. As we develop young writers in our Lower Division, we’re establishing a foundation for their success in Middle and Upper school, while equipping them with a skill that will serve them throughout their lives. Our primary goal is to nurture an appreciation for writing among our students. We encourage them to write about their interests, to view writing as a form of self-discovery and expression, and to recognize the power of their words to inform, persuade and inspire others. Explore Stevenson’s Writing Workshop Our Writing Curriculum Our writing curriculum ensures that students become effective communicators in a wide variety of genres. Beginning in kindergarten, students are introduced to writing as a daily practice and grow into increasingly sophisticated forms of expression. Units include: Narrative Writing – telling personal stories and crafting fictional narratives. Informational Writing – explaining topics clearly and logically. Opinion & Persuasive Writing – developing arguments and supporting ideas with evidence. Poetry – exploring sound, rhythm, imagery, and voice. Literary Essays – analyzing texts and supporting claims with textual evidence. Writer’s Life – cultivating habits, voice, and confidence as lifelong writers. Student & Community Life Our seasonal and community events not only bring joy and celebration but also foster community collaboration and enrich student learning experiences. Monthly Classroom Socials Monthly Classroom socials provide an opportunity for families to join in your child's classroom, view student work, learn about classroom activities, and to engage with our instructional programming and see your child's progress and achievements alongside their peers. Back-to-School Nights Back-to-School Nights are an essential part of our school year. Hosted within the first month of school, they provide parents with an opportunity to meet their child's teachers, gain insight into the curriculum, and understand the expectations for the year, strengthening the partnership between home and school. Community Meeting Every Friday morning, all our Lower Division students and faculty gather in the Grade 4 classroom for our beloved Community Meeting. This special time is one of the highlights of the week—filled with greetings, sharing, celebrations, and plenty of fun! Annual Art & Math Night The evening provides an opportunity to celebrate artistic expression, mathematical exploration, and the dedication of our faculty, while also building connections across our school community. Halloween Celebration & Parade Our annual Halloween Parade, held the Friday before Halloween. This festive event encourages students, faculty, staff, and families to come together in costume, participating in a musical parade through the neighborhood. Grandparents & Special Friends Day We celebrate and honor intergenerational connections with Grandparents Day, observed every year in the spring. Students come together to honor grandparents and special friends on campus, gaining insights into students’ lives. Explore Lower Division Student Life Lower & Middle Division Student Handbook Lower Division News The World Is Our Classroom: Field Trips at Stevenson’s Carmel Campus Farms, tide pools, museums, missions, music studios and more. At Stevenson, every grade level has a world of learning waiting just outside the door. Celebrating the Arts at Stevenson: A Season of Performance, Music and Movement This winter, Stevenson students showcased their creativity and dedication through a lively musical production, a moving choral concert and an award-filled start to dance competition season. Finding Their Voice: Grade 4 Students Take on Journalism Grade 4 students have been doing the work of real journalists this winter: hosting press conferences with community members, walking through Carmel to discover stories and preparing to publish a newspaper featuring their reporting. Stevenson Welcomes Award-Winning Author Matt de la Peña to Campus Stevenson School is thrilled to announce that celebrated author Matt de la Peña will visit the Carmel campus on Friday, March 27, for a special day of storytelling, connection, and community. 2026 Summer Camps: Discover What’s New! Stevenson’s 2026 Summer Camps are designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence. This year, our Pebble Beach camps (rising grades 5-8) are launching an exciting new structure that gives campers more choice and a more personalized experience than ever before! A Look Back and Ahead—in the Lower Division Nifemi Lesi celebrates inquiry-based learning and student voice as the youngest Pirates prepare for the new year. Next Take Your First Step Inquire Today Submit an inquiry form and begin your Stevenson adventure. We’ll guide you through every step. Grades Pre-K—8 Grades 9—12 An independent Pre-K–12 boarding and day school located on California’s Monterey Peninsula Carmel Campus Grades Pre-K–8 Street address: 24800 Dolores Street, Carmel, CA 93923 Mailing address: P.O. Box AP, Carmel, CA 93921 T: 831.574.4600 Map/Directions Campus Map Request Information Pebble Beach Campus Grades 9–12 3152 Forest Lake Road, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 Need Pebble Beach access? Contact us before visiting. T: 831.625.8300 Map/Directions Campus Map Request Information Copyright 2025 | Stevenson Boarding & Day School | Policies Ethicspoint School Directory Employment Notice of Non Discriminatory Policy: Stevenson School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Page load link Go to Top