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Lower School

Finding Your Way, Guided by Curiosity

As your child enters 4th grade, they have begun to notice the larger world of happenings and possibilities that exists beyond their daily experience.

We recognize that this is a crucial time to foster that curiosity and yearning for specialized knowledge while laying the bricks of a foundational education. Woodward's Lower School teachers prioritize your student's spirit of inquiry while making sure they learn the critical skills that will serve them in the years ahead and explore the interests that truly bring them joy. We guide them through this period of exploration and change, imbuing them with respect for and curiosity about others' differences. And at Woodward this stage continues through 6th grade, affording students extra time to acquire the tools that will facilitate their physiological, emotional, and social transition to Middle School.

Respecting ourselves, each other, our school and our world is the Woodward Way.

students gathered around their teachers desk

Academics

Students in 4th-6th grade are still mastering some of the basics while also taking their first steps toward more complex ideas and interests that will become lifelong passions. Woodward’s Lower School rises to meet those dual needs by providing your student with a challenging but adaptable curriculum where they have the freedom to learn as much from mistakes as they do from successes.

Learn more about Academics at the Lower School. 

students working together on a hands on classroom activity

 

Students working on 3D printer

STEAM

The Lower School’s cross-curricular STEAM opportunities are designed as a natural progression from concepts introduced in the Primary School. The curriculum includes two days of designated STEAM class time per seven-day class rotation, as well as the opportunity to engage in a variety of STEAM activities in core subjects through project-based STEAM and Maker projects. Fourth graders spend much of their year focused on learning the building blocks of coding in fun and engaging ways with a mixture of unplugged and hands-on activities. Fifth graders then apply those coding concepts to engineering challenges. Our 6th grade students round out their STEAM knowledge by using 3D printing to tackle design challenges. Your child also can participate in Robotics Club after school and Coding Club and Maker Club during recess.

 

Group of lower school students smiling

Respecting Ourselves & Others

With a view of the wider world comes a greater capacity for empathy and for understanding of perspectives beyond our own. As part of one of the most diverse campus populations in metro Atlanta, your Lower School student will feel at home and supported while sharing experiences and building friendships with students from a range of racial, ethnic, religious, and geographic backgrounds.

 

Students and teacher in shark themed costumes

Extracurriculars

Be it Animation Club, Handbells, or Yoga Club, Woodward’s widely varied extracurricular offerings ensure plenty of opportunities for your Lower School student to feel included and engaged. Your child will enjoy the opportunity to spend time with their classmates in after school activities, learning new things while having fun, while you benefit from the convenience and peace of mind of having school and activities in one place.

Explore our full range of extracurricular opportunities. 

Lower school student playing the violin

Arts 

Regardless of their chosen form of expression, your Lower School student will have ample opportunity to develop their inner artist. Those who express themselves through music have access to orchestra, band, chorus, and dance ensembles, including more specialized groups like handbell choir and fiddle club. All Lower School students are exposed to the full range of visual arts. Your student will rotate through 12 weeks of 2D art (painting and drawing), 12 weeks of 3D art (ceramics, papier-mâché, etc.), and 12 weeks of digital art and photography. This provides your student ample opportunity to discern their affinity for the visual arts and, if so, their preferred medium.

student playing kickball

P.E. & Athletics

Physical Education is an important part of our Lower School curriculum, and we offer a dance program as an option. Available intramural sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country/track, flag football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling.

 

student and teacher high five

Transition Learning Support Program

Our strength is our diversity, and that includes differences in learning styles. The Transition Learning Support Program offers the same curriculum as grade-level peers, but with more specialized instruction in smaller classes, to bright, creative students with challenges in reading (dyslexia), written expression (dysgraphia), math (dyscalculia), language, areas of processing, executive function, or attention. Learners with a specific diagnosis from a private or school psychologist can join our Transition classrooms in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. Experienced, specialized teachers will give students the tools and strategies to convert different learning challenges into confidence, social and emotional stability, and academic success.

Learn more about our Transition Learning Support Program.

“I learn a lot more than I did at my old school. At my old school I didn’t always have the best experiences even though I had good friends. At Woodward they really show off what I have. They show off what everybody has. They don’t keep you in the dark. They have a lot of opportunities that some other schools don’t have. It opens up a lot of doors for kids who don’t get those doors sometimes.
And the lunch is really good!”Lower School Student

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FAQs

Our Stories

Hear from our students about finding their Woodward Way.

"When I grow up I would like to be a police officer because I'm very brave and I want to save the day and help other people."

Woodward North 

Dinara

Woodward North 

Woodward North third grader Dinara says one of the things she most appreciates about her school is how welcoming it has been. Born in the United Kingdom, Dinara had only been at the school for a few months, but said it already feels like home. “I love my teachers. They have given me such a warm welcome into Woodward North, especially because I came from a whole other country.”

She said it probably has something to do with the school’s guiding ethos as she understands it. “To me the Woodward Way means everyone is respectful to each other, no matter what.”

Dinara’s favorite spots on the Woodward North campus are the school’s Multiplex (“It's very big and has lots of room for me to run around in!”) and the big stage in the school’s Art Center: “When I perform there I feel like a real performer.”

Her favorite subjects? “I like math because it gets me really thinking. I also like P.E. because I really like playing sports,” she said.

Outside of class Dinara enjoys art club, dance (ballet and jazz), and orchestra, where she plays the violin. She admitted that while she loves the violin, “it can be hard putting your fingers on the strings and knowing all the notes.”

Down the road, Dinara said she plans to put her care for others into action. “When I grow up I would like to be a police officer because I'm very brave and I want to save the day and help other people.”

Characterizing her new school as diverse, respectful, and kind, she summed up her feelings thusly: “I think Woodward is the best school for me because all the teachers are very nice and the children are very good friends to me. It's just a very nice school in general!”

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"At Woodward, each one of my teachers has made me feel that I matter and that what I can achieve has no bounds."

Middle School

Calvin

Middle School 

Seventh grader Calvin wasn’t feeling challenged at his previous school. During a summer program, he met a Woodward alumnus who told him all about his experience at the Academy.  

“I had the opportunity to participate in a summer program at Vanderbilt University where I stumbled into Woodward alum Alan Wright ’21,” Calvin said. “He told me that there were many rigorous course selections and great teachers to help me grow at Woodward. Alan said that it was the education he received at Woodward that prepared him for Vanderbilt. Once I got to Woodward, I soon realized that all the things Alan told me about Woodward were true. I have enjoyed Woodward so far, and I’ve never looked back.”

Calvin said his teachers value his opinion and care about him. “I also feel that my teachers push me to be great. I have learned to trust them, and I realize that whatever they are telling me to do is going to benefit me. At Woodward, each one of my teachers has made me feel that I matter and that what I can achieve has no bounds.”

He’s especially inspired by his math teacher, Ugarhon Serrette. “Even though math is one of the hardest subjects, Mr. Serrette is always so calm and relaxed. Whenever things get hard,  he always encourages us to persevere and assures us that we will eventually grasp the concept, which fosters confidence in our math skills.”

In his first year at Woodward, Calvin joined the Middle School’s debate and baseball teams. ”When I am not doing school activities, I play travel baseball, trade cryptocurrency, read, hang out with my friends, and spend time with my family,” he said. 

Calvin described a typical school day for him:

“When I wake up, I get my thoughts together and pray with my brother. Because I live a little distance away from the school, my mom insists that I am downstairs by 7:45. So, I eat breakfast in the car, while one of my parents drives me to school. 

When I get to school, I socialize with my friends in the quad, go to my locker, drop off my bags, grab my books for first period, and get prepared to focus on school. After my first two classes, I go to community time, to my third class, and then study hall where I work on any homework assignments right before lunch. Then comes one of the best parts of the day–lunch and time to socialize. After I finish eating, I play basketball on the courts with my friends, and then we go inside for another two other classes before the school day officially ends. After school, I usually attend tutorials to get help with any unanswered homework questions. 

When tutorial ends, I go to Middle School baseball practice or my travel baseball practice. When I get  home, I do all of my homework, study for any upcoming assessments, do all of my personal hygiene, and complete my evening exercise routine. Finally, I lay out my clothes for the next day, and I go to sleep.”

Calvin said going to Woodward has been life-changing. “I think Woodward is the best school for me because I fit in socially and  feel academically challenged. The teachers really take care of me and care about my growth.”

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"Woodward gives me guardrails and guidance to figure out who I want to be as a person, and find out where I will succeed best in the world..."

Middle School

Reese

Middle School 

In her first year at Woodward, Reese discovered a place where she could follow her own unique path, with guidance from caring teachers, surrounded by a diverse community of new friends.

She came to Woodward from a smaller Montessori school, seeking a wider range of opportunities to grow. “This was my first year at Woodward, and it was amazing! When I toured here, I saw all the opportunities that were available for students and knew that Woodward would be a great fit. It took a lot of work to learn study habits and how to succeed with a different form of curriculum. I am happy to say that I ended last semester with a 4.0, and I am so excited for my Upper School journey.”

Reese said she loves her Middle School teachers. “They are always there for me no matter what; I appreciate their patience with us as students and always believing in me.” Her English teacher, Mrs. [Lauren] VanCamp, was especially inspirational. “She taught me how to be a stronger writer and a stronger person. Every day she would welcome me with a smile on her face and always made sure our class was engaged and focused. She was always there when I needed help with classwork, or if I needed someone to talk to. The lessons she taught me are ones that I will value forever.”

Alongside her academic path, Reese joined the cheerleading squad in eighth grade and will be on the varsity cheerleading team in Upper School. She felt welcomed and found it easy to make new friends in her first WA year. “I love the diversity among the students and teachers and how everyone works together to create a safe space for all students,” she said.

“Woodward gives me guardrails and guidance to figure out who I want to be as a person, and find out where I will succeed best in the world,” Reese added. “It means a lot to me that I have a safe and nurturing environment that allows me to grow into the person I want to be!”

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"My dream is to major in nuclear engineering and work in the energy field finding new ways to produce energy."

Upper School 

Steven

Upper School 

Woodward sophomore Steven has attended Woodward since Pre-K. He recalls countless moments on campus like waypoints in his life: The time in 4th grade when he first held a string bass, which he still plays to this day. Stepping onto the parade field for soccer tryouts in 7th grade, fulfilling his dream to make the team. And one of his very first interactions with the Upper School was his first day of cross country. “I have loved every run after that,” he said.

Like any student, Steven has his favorite subjects. But he’s quick to point out that the Woodward approach to learning ensures that he’s always engaged, regardless of the subject. “Every teacher I have had at Woodward Academy has taught me in a way that makes me interested in the material and want to be the best I can be,” he said. “Every day I come to school, I know that my teachers will greet me with a smile on their faces and will teach me something new and interesting.”

Steven cites his cross country coach, Nicholas Widener, and his history teacher, Kevin Henderson, as the two faculty members who most inspire him personally and academically. “Coach Widener’s dedication to running and to the cross country team is very admirable. He is always ready to help us get a little better each day and keep us on track. Mr. Henderson inspired me with his positive mood every class. He always greeted us with a smile and made every lesson very interesting, making his class a highlight of the day.”

When he’s not in class or running cross country, Steven participates in Honor Guard, soccer, French club, chess club, Honor Council, Catholic Club, and serves as a peer leader. It all makes for a full calendar, which Steven says has imparted a lesson of its own: “Some of the most important lessons I have learned at Woodward are about how to use my time wisely. Participating in sports and clubs is fun but takes up a lot of time throughout the day, and I still need to get my homework done.”

“Another important lesson I have learned is to be kind to everyone,” Steven continued. “If you are nice to everyone, it could make their day a little bit better, and it creates a very happy community.” Along those same lines, Steven says his friends at Woodward have broadened his horizons in innumerable ways, ranging from new study techniques to learning about different holidays they celebrate. “I also have learned how to disagree but still be friends at the end of the day,” he said.

Steven’s college plans involve attending a technology and engineering school. “My dream is to major in nuclear engineering and work in the energy field finding new ways to produce energy,” he said.

Casting his mind back from Pre-K to this moment, Steven said Woodward has helped him become the best version of himself. “Over time I have really come out of my shell and become a part of the community. I used to be very shy when I was younger, but through all the community meetings and discussions in classes throughout the years, I have become more confident.”

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Primary school students wearing fun hat

"There are really good teachers, a lot of fun activities, and a lot of fun things to do on the playground."

Primary School

Lil

Primary School 

Here are a few of Lil’s favorite things:

“My dogs, my parents, and my grandparents, and I love my roller skates, and I love reading.” 

She also loves going to school at Woodward Academy. “There are really good teachers, a lot of fun activities, and a lot of fun things to do on the playground.” 

Lil’s Mom, Stephanie, said her daughter leaves school happy each day. “She is supported in a way that she has self-esteem, and is granted the space to blossom into the incredible kid she is,” Stephanie said. “Her energetic desire for learning is matched by her inspiring, child-centered teachers.”

As Lil moves ahead to the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools on her Woodward journey, her Mom looks forward to observing the continued fostering of Lil’s curiosity. “She received important building blocks for learning at the Primary School that she will take with her in her lifelong learning journey.” 

Lil’s Mom also anticipates a journey filled with a sense of community. “There is a sense at Woodward that all are welcome. The Parent Community is comprised of folks from all over the city, coming together in a place that gives our kids exactly what they need.”

As for Lil, she's already looking ahead to what she might want to be when she grows up. "Maybe a chef. A dancer. An actor. An artist. I could do all of those but maybe not at the same time." To other students looking into attending Woodward, she would say, "You will love it here."

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"You learn more actively. The teachers don't just teach; they do it in a fun way."

Woodward North 

Max

Woodward North 

Woodward North fifth grader Max is a kid who tells it like it is. When asked how he feels about his teachers, he’s diplomatic: “They're really nice. They're strict—in a good way. They're great!”

Thoughtful and active, Max says his favorite times of the day are recess—where he enjoys football on the large athletic field, four square, and hanging out with his friends—and STEAM. “We're working on a project on our computers and that's pretty fun.”

Max espouses a uniquely philosophical perspective on the Woodward Way: “To me the Woodward Way means that everything has a purpose and everything has emotions and you should respect that.” He says he feels like he gets that respect from his teachers and friends at Woodward, and tries to give it in kind.

“Loyalty comes with a kind of price,” he says, musing on what he’s learned about friendship. “If your friend goes somewhere and you're really great friends, and you've been friends for a long time, you may want to follow them. And if they're like way out there and you want to be there for them, you have to decide if you want to go out there too, and what that means.”

Max says maybe his favorite place at school is homeroom with Ms. Park, “because it's peaceful and my homeroom teacher is pretty cool.”

Outside of school Max enjoys playing lacrosse, and says someday he’d like to play professionally. If that doesn’t pan out, he says he plans to be a videogame designer.

Asked why he thinks Woodward North is the best school for him, Max says he appreciates how Woodward North goes through sixth grade and prepares kids for the transition to Middle School on the Main Campus. “And you can learn more actively,” he says. “The teachers don't just teach; they do it in a fun way.”

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"Woodward has shaped me into the person I am today, through the amazing teachers and staff guiding me through every aspect of my life even beyond academic work."

Upper School

Iyla

Upper School 

If anyone knows her way around Woodward Academy, it’s Iyla. Having started at Woodward North for Pre-K, then joining Main Campus in 7th grade, the Upper Schooler views Woodward as her second home: “I have been here for 13 years and do not regret one bit.”

“The Woodward Way is all about respect for me–respecting myself, each other, our school, and our world,” she says.

Among the most important skills Iyla says she has learned at Woodward is time management. “It helps me to balance my life between school, friends, and free time. I can now confidently manage my time to maximize opportunities.”

But academics are not just about getting from point A to point B as efficiently as possible, and Iyla says her love for Woodward is as much about the support provided by her teachers. “All of my teachers care about me and make me feel comfortable. Every teacher wants me to grow to my fullest potential.”

She says she is especially fond of her English teacher, Ms. Trumble. “She inspires me because she always has a great, positive outlook and never fails to make everyone in class smile. I admire her perspective on life.”

Outside of school Iyla enjoys competitive dancing. A member of the National Honors Society as well as the Spanish National Honors Society, she also serves as a peer leader and an admissions ambassador.

Iyla says she plans to study exercise science in college and hopes to become a physical therapist.

“Woodward has shaped me into the person I am today, through the amazing teachers and staff guiding me through every aspect of my life even beyond academic work,“ Iyla says.

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"His teachers have been incredible at helping build his maturity, confidence, and leadership skills."

Primary School

Khalil

Primary School 

Khalil loves kindergarten at the Primary School, where he enjoys cocurriculars like music, art, and P.E., especially playing basketball. He is happy that his cousin and his sister also attend Woodward and that he’s made a lot of friends in class (especially his best friend, Arya).

“I’m basically the brother,” he said. “She’s 7, and I’m 6. She’s in second grade. I’ve been here for a lot of years. This is not my first year.” 

As products of public schools, his parents said they approached the idea of sending their children to private school with careful consideration. “The benefits of an independent school were clear to us: smaller classrooms, additional resources, longer faculty/staff tenure, and enhanced academic rigor,” said his mom, Zahra.

She and her husband wanted their kids to be part of a diverse community. “Woodward Academy struck the right balance. We appreciated the idea of a school with not just racial but also socioeconomic diversity; one that puts significant emphasis on developing the whole child with an environment that promotes social emotional learning, leadership, and empathy. All of this resonated with us in a strong way.”

“We don’t want our kids to just be academically and professionally successful. We want them to also live happy, meaningful lives with a sense of purpose and contribution to society,” she added. “This is why we felt like Woodward was the right addition to our village.”

His mom said Khalil has grown and thrived in his first two years at Woodward. “We see it, our friends and family see it, but most importantly he sees it in himself. His teachers have been incredible at helping build his maturity, confidence, and leadership skills. As those soft skills got stronger, the hard skill improvement came so much easier. His vocabulary, fine motor skills, and spelling all went from slightly below grade level to well above grade level in just the first year.”

Along with Khalil’s sister Khaliya, his cousin, Sophia, attends the Academy. For the family, the feeling of community at Woodward is important. “It is truly the best of Atlanta. We have made lifelong friends who now feel more like family.”

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"She has been fortunate to have teachers who are invested in her success and whose classes she enjoys."

Lower School

Camryn

Lower School 

Sixth grader Camryn’s favorite place is the library at the Lower School, which makes sense given her self-professed affinity for reading. She also loves art and basketball and hanging out with her friends at school.

Camryn started attending Woodward in kindergarten, after her family moved to Atlanta. Her mom, Althea, said after a visit to the Primary School, they knew immediately that it was the right school for their daughters. (Camryn's younger sister, Camille, also attends Woodward.)

“It was important to us to find a school where our children would not only excel but also flourish,” she said. “We wanted a school that had a holistic approach to education; embodying the balance between academics, the arts, and personal development. After touring the Primary School, we felt a strong sense of community and believed the Academy aligned with our goals and values as a family.”  

Althea said they had been looking for a school that acknowledges and celebrates that each child is an individual. “Our girls have very different personalities, and we wanted a school that did not try to fit them into a particular mold; rather one that would honor who they are, who they are becoming, and encourage them to be the best person they can be. We have had some incredible administrators and teachers over the years who have really partnered with us, as parents, to support our kids in being successful students and happy young people.”     

The family looks forward to the school years ahead in Middle and Upper School. “Woodward provides a safe place for our girls to explore not only academics, but also the arts and other extracurricular activities. We believe they will graduate from Woodward as well-rounded, global citizens prepared to be positive forces in this world.”  

The Bradleys also value the diversity of the Woodward community. “Woodward brings together a collection of families, administrators, and faculty from all over the world, from various socioeconomic backgrounds and belief systems, with the same ultimate objective—the education of our children. The culture of acceptance, respect, and understanding that the community embodies enriches the overall experience, not only for the children but for the whole family as well.”   

Camryn has flourished at Woodward. “She has had a positive experience,” her mom said. “She has been fortunate to have teachers who are invested in her success and whose classes she enjoys.”

Along with basketball intramurals, Camryn has explored yoga and animation in Lower School, and she looks forward each year to attending Woodward Academy Summer Camps. “My friends always go to WA summer camps too,” she said.

What would Camryn say to kids her age who are considering attending the Academy? “Woodward is a great place where you can make new friends,” she said. 

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"Connor really loves coding and has his sights set on computer science or engineering as a career, but that is not his only passion."

Lower School

Connor

Lower School 

Connor really loves coding and has his sights set on computer science or engineering as a career, but that is not his only passion. He is a well-rounded student with a wide range of interests he’s exploring at Woodward Academy.

“Around the pandemic, I was stuck in the house with nothing to do,” Connor said. “My Dad was on virtual meetings, so he got me this book on coding ideas and tutorials. I spent the entire pandemic coding and I’ve been passionate about it ever since.”

Connor entered Woodward Academy in fourth grade. In the Lower School, he has had opportunities to practice coding by participating in First Lego League. He looks forward to participating in robotics in Middle and Upper School as well. “I probably want to be a software engineer or computer scientist, something along those lines,” he said.

Connor also plays violin in the Lower School Orchestra, and he is into tennis and archery. He says he can explore everything that interests him at the Academy. “Woodward is a great school with amazing opportunities. At my old school, they really were limited. This school has given me time to do what I’m passionate about.”

When he was asked to provide three words that describe Woodward, Connor took a few minutes to think about it. “Vibrant,” he said. “I’d also say ‘free’ and ‘open.’ You’re able to let your passions guide you.” Connor asked to add one more word, because of the great friends he’s made at Woodward:  “community.” 

“It’s going great for me,” he said. “I’ve made lots of friends. Boone, David, and Carter are friends I can rely on.”

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Meet Our Team

Andy Phillips

Titles: Lower School Principal

Elaine Carroll

Titles: Assistant Principal

Carrie Lauchlan

Titles: School Counselor

Michael Lawrence

Titles: School Counselor

Explore Further

Your child’s education is a unique journey of growth, enlightenment, and exploration as they find their way into the world. At Woodward, we provide the compass for that journey.