Lower School

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Lower School

The Foundation for Character, Curiosity, and Academic Excellence

At TVT, our youngest learners develop a deep understanding of character as they are encouraged to think critically and become confident leaders, risk takers, and innovators. Talented, trusted teachers nurture a caring community and develop overlapping, hands-on curricula so that every moment becomes a high-powered, joyful learning experience. Our individualized, interdisciplinary approach in grades TK–5 fosters independent, lifelong learners with holistic problem-solving skills.

Lower School students develop a growth mindset and the resilience to meet all academic aspirations that lie ahead.

Sarah Escobar, Lower School Division Head

8 Outdoor

Discovery Spaces

3+ Pathways

for Mathematics

40+ Opportunities

for learning and enrichment outside of the classroom

4x Each Week

Hebrew Language Learning

Where Boundless Curiosity Begins

Beast Academy Mathematics Curriculum

The Beast approach to mathematics encourages perseverance and adaptability, collaboration, and strong mathematical communication. It creates excitement and builds skills that equip students to be high-level mathematicians in the Middle and Upper schools.

lower school students in class with teacher

Design-Thinking Sciences

Real-world engineering, computer science, and science challenges motivate students to share ideas, receive feedback, and come up with solutions together. Each science unit concludes with a hands-on, interactive project, from constructing ramps to demonstrate Newton’s laws of motion to designing and building pinball machines to explore energy transfer.

two lower school students sitting on chairs

Responsive Classroom® Approach

Teachers foster a supportive, student-centered learning environment where academic success and social-emotional growth go hand in hand. Students learn the importance of self awareness, reflection, and how to approach learning challenges and social situations with patience, resilience, and mindfulness.

Small-Group Instruction

Students engage in personalized, targeted learning experiences that meet their unique needs, fostering deeper understanding, active participation, and confidence. At least twice a day, students collaborate in small groups as their teachers work closely to provide individualized feedback and reinforce skills taught in whole-group instruction.

lower school students with teacher learning science

The Science of Reading

Lower School students develop essential literacy skills by practicing phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text decoding as they build a lifelong love of reading. Whether kindergartners are singing their phonics song or 4th and 5th graders are preparing for their Battle of the Books competition, instruction is intentional and engaging.

Student-Teacher Connections

In the Lower School, learning is designed to spark curiosity while building confidence and perseverance. Through hands-on learning and daily guidance, students are encouraged to reflect on their choices, persevere through challenges, and approach new ideas with curiosity and confidence.

Social-Emotional Learning

Our entire Lower School faculty, including administrators, teachers, and a dedicated counselor, promote character and encourage self-reflection through age-appropriate social and emotional lessons on topics such as sportsmanship, conflict resolution, and how to make new friends.

Building Character Through Jewish Values

We can’t know what challenges lie ahead, but we can instill the values to face them with courage and integrity. Our Jewish Studies curriculum begins in TK, helping students embrace values of intellect, compassion, and community that will guide them into the future.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Inquiry & Innovation
Young learners explore big ideas through hands-on activities that nurture curiosity and creativity. Students ask questions, test ideas, and make discoveries that help them understand how the world works. Learn More
Engineering & Computer Science
Lower School students in grades 3-5 begin to think like designers as they build, experiment, and solve age-appropriate challenges. These early engineering habits lay the groundwork for problem-solving and persistence. Learn More
Mathematics
Students grow into confident mathematical thinkers through hands-on activities, visual models, and puzzles that strengthen number sense and logical reasoning. Learn More
Visual & Performing Arts
Through music, movement, and creative expression, students develop foundational artistic skills while building confidence and joy. Lessons integrate rhythm, color, storytelling, and imagination. Learn More
Experiential Learning
Off-campus experiences, classroom explorations, and collaborative projects help students connect what they learn to the real world. Each experience builds independence, curiosity, and early academic skills. Learn More

THE LOWER SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

Clubs for Every Cub

Inspiration and exploration happen everywhere in our Lower School clubs, which meet before, during, and after school. For instance, the Mensch Makers club bakes challah during lunchtime, while the Art Club enjoys private tours of the Orange County Museum of Art.

photo of student leadership-presenting to a class, walking in the fashion show, performing at sporting event

Learning to Lead

Starting in TK, students learn the power of leadership from class presentations and small-group speaking to walking the runway of the Alphabet Alliteration Fashion Show and performing at sporting event halftime shows.

Service and Tikkun Olam

Teaching the importance of service and social justice means showing students how to be responsible citizens through action. From organizing supplies at Family Promise OC to cleaning Bolsa Chica Beach to collecting, composting, and eliminating food waste for their Tikkun Olam project, our students embody the heart of our community.

Beyond the Bell

Lower School students can participate in a range of courses in the Explorers afterschool enrichment program, such as VEX Robotics, Digital Art & Games, Chess, Musical Theater, Baking, and many more.

Mindful Movement

We know students need to move and take breaks so they can focus throughout the day. Daily recess and active breaks allow them to stay energized and have fun, while physical education classes encourage teamwork and confidence.

Ready to Thrive in Middle School

TVT Lower School students enter middle school with the fundamental building blocks to continue their success. They are:

High-achieving readers
Confident mathematicians
Active listeners
Expressive communicators
Forward-thinking problem solvers

TVT’s Lower School has supported our child in every way to be a curious and confident learner. His teachers have built a strong foundation for a love of learning; he leaves school every day with an excitement to return.

Current Parent