Why is Berwick's Lower School so special?

Independent schools across the nation are working hard to demonstrate the value of elementary school tuition. This is true, to varying degrees, whether one’s school is in Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, or South Berwick, ME. The trends are quite clear that as tuitions continue to climb, families are waiting longer to send their students to private schools out of concerns of affordability. This decision is inevitably coupled with the critical question of whether or not private school is “worth it” in comparison to local public school options. Berwick Academy is certainly not immune to this national trend, and we often wonder how we can best communicate what makes our Lower School so special to our internal and external audiences.

This year, I find myself in the unique position of becoming a customer on the other side of this question, asking ourselves the very same questions as we move back closer to Boston next year: public or private? Is private worth it? It is also probably true that, based on my work, I am a more discerning consumer than most on this issue. I am happy to report that we are excited about options next year, although we don’t know exactly what combination of schools our children will be attending just yet. But the process of looking around at other schools has certainly shed a new light for me, a Berwick Lower School parent, as to what makes the Berwick elementary experience so special.

Big and Little Buddies is a program connecting
Berwick seniors with Kindergarten students

We all know that teachers make the experience what it is, and I know I have always admired the patience, intuition, and skill of our Lower School teachers. While I can’t compare them specifically to other individual teachers at other individual schools, it feels important to acknowledge that nothing is more important than their work. Beyond the teachers, however, I am reminded of how powerful the sense of community can be at Berwick Academy. Both in terms of Lower School meetings, passing in the hallways, or all of the ways in which our Lower School students cross paths with older kids - it is impossible for our students not to know that they are connected to something bigger than the world of their classroom. I think this is something that I have often taken for granted. Additionally, the program here is just so rich. 

All Lower School students PK-4 are taught
both Mandarin and Spanish cultures and language.

Beyond the use of campus wide facilities, my children have also benefited from the cross pollination of programs around innovation, cultural competency, and wellness. I have a new appreciation for the exposure my children have had to Mandarin, Spanish, meaningful Art and Music instruction, as well as thoughtful technology use. This does not even touch the huge impact of the dance program and applied music lessons on all three of my children. Again, it can be easy to take the comprehensive nature of the Lower School experience for granted.

The entire Lower School participates in "All Children
Exercising Simultaneously" (ACES) several times a year. All LS
students have Physical Education in the athletic center at least once per week.

I also find myself truly appreciating the gifts of our campus in a new way by recognizing just how lucky our youngest students are to have a chance to interact with facilities one does not see at either a smaller private school or local public schools. An athletic center, theater, and beautiful dining hall are simply not a given in the world of elementary education. It is also true that our Lower School is small enough to be nimble and playful. The larger the school community, particularly with younger students, the more emphasis there has to be on simply managing traffic and crowd control through transitions and hallways. I guess it just feels nice that Kendall Lower School is truly their place to our students, and they know that they can truly be themselves, within reason of course.

The interactive sandbox is an incredible resource found
in the LS science classroom.

As the Schneiders begin their transition out of this community, we have much to be excited about and much that we will miss. Part of me wishes that more of our families would go through the same experience we are to gain a similar level of appreciation for our Lower School. But just today, as I watched three Lower School students literally sprint from their cars into Kendall Lower School while I tried to sneak in a high five… I thought to myself how glad I was for them that they were running home.

Prospective families who are intrigued by our Lower School should come experience this special place at the next Berwick in Action event. Meet our teachers, students, and learn more about our dynamic community. Click here to register.