LOWER DIVISION (AGES 5-11)

Building Confidence
and Independence

The Lower Division builds on the strong foundation established in Primary, supporting students as they deepen their academic skills and grow in independence. Our students learn in an environment that balances support and challenge, helping them take risks, develop friendships, and build lasting confidence in their abilities.

We group students thoughtfully according to age, emotional development, academic strengths, and social compatibility. Reading and math groups are formed based on learning styles and instructional needs, ensuring every child receives the right level of challenge and encouragement.

SEE THE CURRICULUM

“The nurturing environment in the Lower School builds confidence, encouraging students to take risks in their learning and build relationships with their peers. It sets them on the path to becoming life-long learners.”

—Donna Logue, Director of Lower School

THE LOWER DIVISION PROGRAM

An Individualized Approach

Lower School faculty combine expertise in both traditional and special education methods to design academic programs tailored to each student. Lessons are multisensory, engaging, and flexible, giving students the tools to thrive while developing self-awareness and independence.

Art, music, drama, and technology are woven throughout the curriculum so students can express themselves, discover new interests, and take pride in their unique talents. As they grow, they gain the confidence and skills needed to meet the expanding expectations of Middle School.

Core Curriculum

Reading

Our reading instruction is personalized to each child’s needs. Many students benefit from the Orton-Gillingham approach, which builds decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills through structured, multisensory methods.

Math

Faculty are trained in multiple programs, including Singapore Math® and Stern Structural Arithmetic. Students move from concrete to pictorial to abstract learning as they explore increasingly complex material, continually reinforcing prior concepts before advancing.

Writing

Through the Stephen Gaynor School Writing Program, students build skills step by step as they learn grammar, sentence structure, and paragraph development. Graphic organizers help them plan and organize ideas, preparing them for longer assignments such as research papers, reports, and creative stories.

Social Studies

Our social studies curriculum explores themes such as how geography and natural resources shape human life. Integrated with reading and writing instruction, it strengthens literacy while allowing students to demonstrate understanding through art, multimedia, and collaborative projects.

Science

Science learning in the Lower School is hands-on and discovery-based. Students use the scientific method to explore real-world concepts through projects like building pulley systems, flying homemade kites, and constructing waterwheels to understand simple machines.

TAKE THE NEXT STEPS

Preparing For What's Next

By the end of the Lower School years, students have developed strong academic skills social awareness, and growing independence. They are well prepared for the increased expectations of the Intermediate Division and the next phase of their Gaynor journey.

SEE INTERMEDIATE DIVISION

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148 West 90th Street,
New York, NY 10024

(212) 787-7070

At Stephen Gaynor School, students with learning differences develop essential academic and critical thinking skills through individualized and evidence-based approaches, empowering them to reach their full potential. Students learn to advocate for themselves and others while actively building an inclusive community, a sense of belonging, and a belief in their own possibilities.

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