LOWER SCHOOL
Where small feet take giant steps
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It is the age of push and pull. Lower School children wake each day with an insatiable thirst for learning, exploring and stretching, yet they crave solid boundaries and a hand to hold — at least once in a while. They have endless energy but can be transfixed by a fascinating story. With authentic learning experiences and self-directed learning opportunities, work and play are indistinguishable.
At Blake we strive to nurture the uniqueness of each student and encourage children to take ownership of their learning. Our curriculum emphasizes conceptual understanding and creative problem solving, and provides many opportunities for students to discover and develop their talents, however diverse those may be. This is a place were it’s safe to take risks, where effort is recognized and where there is room for everyone to succeed.
At Blake, teachers function as guides to help children develop a passion for learning. They teach the skills children need in order to pursue their interests and open new doors students might not find on their own. Classes are taught with a focus on both collaborative and individual efforts. Teachers take time to discuss students’ feelings and ideas, help them make responsible decisions and resolve conflicts, and reveal to them the value and wonder of human diversity.
 The adventure of every day. Lower School includes pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. A 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio and classroom size of 20-21 offer many daily opportunities for students and teachers to interact with one another. All children are well known and in this small community they develop a responsibility for themselves and for others.
Special-area teachers work with Lower School students to connect their academic studies with the arts and technology. Children participate in drama, music and visual arts classes, and learn basic research and computer skills that enable them to explore interests independently, in their own way, and at their own pace. Similarly, children learn the importance of lifelong fitness as they explore their potential in a wide variety of physical activities. Lower School physical education emphasizes participation, sportsmanship and basic skills in daily classes.
Beginning in Lower School, all students participate in community involvement projects that are tied closely to the academic curriculum through our service learning program. Through service learning at Blake, students gain a better understanding of themselves, the world in which they live, and the opportunity and responsibility they have to improve both.
Global awareness is fostered through literature, cultural studies, assembly programs and the sharing of family traditions by members of the Blake community. Children begin studying world cultures in pre-kindergarten. Foreign language instruction begins in fourth grade and is available to all grades as an after-school option.
School and parent communication. Parents receive written reports from school twice a year and formally confer with teachers on two other occasions, but this is just the beginning of the parent/school connection. Parents volunteer for myriad activities during the school day and after school. They also become learners when they participate in education programs about parenting, new educational theories and diversity.
The rules we live by
The Safety Rule. Our actions keep ourselves and others safe.
The Respect Rule. We show respect for ourselves, other students and adults. We respect the property or belongings of students, adults and the school.
The Welcome Rule. All children are welcomed into any activity, as long as they play according to the group’s rules.
Afternoon activity program: Pre-kindergarten – Kindergarten
Pre-K and kindergarten classes meet in the mornings. An optional afternoon program (until 3:30 p.m.) provides children an opportunity to continue creative exploration through activities in drama, art, language development, science, cooking, physical activities and more. Children may participate in the afternoon program one or more days per week.
Extended day program: Pre-kindergarten – Eighth Grade
 Our extended day program provides a safe, fun, home-like atmosphere for children before and after school. Children may choose from a variety of activities — games, outdoor play, sports, computer, crafts — or they may curl up with homework or a good book.
This wonderful care is available before school, starting at 7:30 a.m., and from 3:30–6:00 p.m., as well as on parent conference and teacher workshop days.
Call us at 952-988-3420 to schedule a visit to our Lower School campuses. We promise lots of action, excitement and, amidst the most serious of work, many smiles.
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John,
Your [column about excellence] this month, in ‘Parent News,’ was both inspired and inspiring. Indeed, Blake was the principal reason Susan and I chose to stay in Minneapolis three years ago … .
“So, after writing out 21 checks, and looking forward to writing out a few more, I will tell you that I see excellence everywhere at Blake. I don’t spend my day worrying about how to measure it. I know it’s there. I see it get off the bus every afternoon. …”
Parent e-mail to Head of School, John Gulla
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