Our Lower School
In our Lower School program, we maintain a small student-teacher ratio of 12:1 in the academic classroom on average. This ratio allows for teachers to respect students' individual differences and set challenging but achievable goals for each student.
Each day children are engaged for a sustained period of time in: reading, writing, math workshops, and project work. Project work involves students designing, developing, and constructing hands-on solutions to a problem or a question.
At a glance
The Lower School includes 1st through 4th Grade.
The Lower School has a student-teacher ratio of 12:1 in the academic classroom.
There are two full-time licensed teachers in each classroom.
"Duke School provides unique opportunities and a friendly environment for kids with different talents. Both Ellen and Albert think the school is fun."
~Fan, Hui Li, Elle '09, and Albert '15
Keeping in line with our methodology, technology is integrated right into the classroom rather than provided as a discrete subject area in a computer lab environment. Technology is an integral part of our project work. In elementary classrooms, students use a weather Web site to track hurricanes along the North Carolina coast, create original movies to share project work, and program LEGO-built vehicles when studying simple and complex machines.
Each week children attend PE, music, Spanish, and art classes. Kindergarten through fourth grade students also receive 90 minutes per week of Spanish instruction. Through these special classes, children develop skills and concepts in each area. Working in collaboration with classroom teachers, special teachers frequently integrate art, music, and PE concepts into classroom project work.
