Lower School
Light-Filled, Child-Centered, Curriculum-Driven
Our vision for a campus transformation includes an Academic Village with a new lower school designed for our curriculum and teachers, for what research tells us about the way children learn and grow, and to provide our students with the knowledge and skills they will need to thrive in a complex world.
The new lower school will reshape learning for our youngest students and unite pre-K to 12 students in a vibrant academic community.
This new building will feature:
- Learning communities for pre-K to 5
- Spaces for studio, movement, flex; language, STEAM, art, music; IdeaLab, woodshop
- Easy access to outdoor learning spaces
- Community spaces
- Hardscape and natural play spaces
The campus master planning project determined that the very best place to build the new lower school now, as well as for the future development of our 47-acre campus, is on the site of the current field house. Moving the functions of the field house to a new Athletics & Wellness Center adjacent to Maguire Field creates the opportunity to build the lower school in the best location—and create a vibrant, collective Academic Village.
Lower School Stories
![Blonde third grade boy looks at camera as he plants in a garden]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1663085779/penn/y24gtonbm4vepd1llcam/PollinatorGardenJasperPlanting.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1663085779/penn/y24gtonbm4vepd1llcam/PollinatorGardenJasperPlanting.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1663085779/penn/y24gtonbm4vepd1llcam/PollinatorGardenJasperPlanting.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1663085779/penn/y24gtonbm4vepd1llcam/PollinatorGardenJasperPlanting.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1663085779/penn/y24gtonbm4vepd1llcam/PollinatorGardenJasperPlanting.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1663085779/penn/y24gtonbm4vepd1llcam/PollinatorGardenJasperPlanting.jpg","width":2200}])
Third grade designed, created and planted a pollinator garden with curricular connetions.
![A Hub for Hands-On Learning]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1632233518/penn/lqpac7qgvi5txkjm7xy8/JohnandLew.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1632233518/penn/lqpac7qgvi5txkjm7xy8/JohnandLew.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1632233518/penn/lqpac7qgvi5txkjm7xy8/JohnandLew.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1632233518/penn/lqpac7qgvi5txkjm7xy8/JohnandLew.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1632233518/penn/lqpac7qgvi5txkjm7xy8/JohnandLew.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1632233518/penn/lqpac7qgvi5txkjm7xy8/JohnandLew.jpg","width":2200}])
The Somers Science Room in PC's new Lower School will be a space for curiosity and hands-on learning.
![Trude Berg poses with her husband Franz Kaufmann]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1629725922/penn/nfzqbuzqtjxxvimjvolq/TrudeBergandFranzKaufmann.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1629725922/penn/nfzqbuzqtjxxvimjvolq/TrudeBergandFranzKaufmann.jpg","width":295}])
Franz Kaufmann OPC '63 names future lower school music room in honor of his soulmate Trude Berg.
Join Us
You are here because Penn Charter matters to you, too.
Join us to advance our shared mission and goal to create the most challenging, exhilarating educational program.