Early Learners

Organization, concentration, patience, and working independently are the emphasis of our Early Learner programs.

The journey of an Early Learner at Grymes is one of discovery as children find their own joy in learning in a carefully structured program designed around their emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development. In Junior Kindergarten, play-based creative activities develop language skills, visual perception, spatial organization, and other essential skills that lay the foundation for reading readiness, math concepts, vocabulary, and language arts in the Kindergarten curriculum.
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Early Learners 2026
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FEATURED CURRICULUM ELEMENTS

Learning in the youngest years emphasizes the building blocks of how to read, write, and think mathematically as students grow into critical and creative thinkers. Our small class sizes encourage open communication and collaboration, asking questions, writing effectively, and listening carefully in ways that support a life-long love of learning.

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Exploration & Discovery

Building on children’s natural desire to explore their world, early learners engage in hands-on learning throughout the day, allowing them to experience the excitement and wonder of discovering new ideas and abilities.

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Movement & Play

Twice-daily recesses on the Lower School playground are an important part of every student’s day that fosters learning through play. Physical education classes throughout the week ensure young students have plenty of opportunities to move, play, and interact together.

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Foundational Learning

Early literacy and math begin with learning letters and sounds, participating in group read-alouds, counting, sorting, and learning together as children prepare for Lower School.

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Promoting Independence

We encourage children to develop independence and agency by exploring their unique interests and talents in small classes where teachers respect and honor every child.

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Broad-Based Approach

At Grymes, our “core” curriculum expands far beyond reading and math to include PE, music, library, art, drama, and Spanish, providing children with a range of experiences and learning opportunities.

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Signature Programs

Early Learners attend weekly all-school assemblies, participate in the Partner Program, perform class plays, and Kindergartners recite Declamations in front of students, parents, and teachers.

Junior Kindergarten, open to children ages three through five, is an integral first step for the Grymes student’s growth and development. Mornings begin with an unstructured learning environment where play, experimentation, and collaboration are encouraged. During whole group instruction, students practice early math and literacy skills. The Dimensions math curriculum focuses on numbers to 20, shapes, patterns, and operations through a wide variety of manipulatives for hands-on learning. Literacy begins now with an introduction to our Orton-Gillingham based curriculum, a phonetic approach to reading that students will formally experience in Kindergarten through Third grade.

Two full time in-class teachers allow for small group instruction, differentiated by age or ability, and flexibility to adapt to the needs of the students. While some may participate in activities in preparation for Kindergarten, others may spend crucial time working on fine motor skills, speech development, and movement. Our dedicated Junior Kindergarten teachers employ differentiated instruction techniques that meet students where they are, and foster a room dedicated to joyful learning.

We are proud to incorporate our Junior Kindergarten program into all aspects of our school community and activities. From our weekly morning assemblies, to special events and pep-rallies, our youngest learners are never far from the action. They move throughout the building to enjoy bi-weekly Spanish and Music instruction, and visit the school library once per week. Junior Kindergarten participates in a daily 30 minute structured Physical Education class, in addition to two outdoor free play recess times on their private, age-appropriate playground. They also take center stage to perform a class play that builds social confidence and public speaking skills. Additional highlights include co-curricular field trips to explore local farms and enjoy performances the Paramount Theatre.




Our Kindergarten program is built on foundational literacy and numeracy programs in tandem with a teaching philosophy that values hands-on, experiential learning in a nurturing classroom environment. Kindergarten students benefit from an inspiring curriculum grounded in rich content and essential skill-based development.

Reading skills are developed using Orton-Gillingham IMSE (Institute for Multi-Sensory Education) structured literacy, a program that recognizes strong phonemic awareness as the starting place for fostering literacy. Students develop skills in alphabet knowledge, rhyming, decoding, spelling and sentence structure. Book appreciation and a love of literacy is developed through daily read-alouds. 

Math is taught using the Singapore Math approach using the Dimensions Math curriculum. Kindergarten math skills are built with an emphasis on concrete hands-on objects to build problem solving, critical thinking, and number sense foundations for future pictorial and abstract math concepts. 

Science learning topics include the preservation of milkweed for monarch butterflies, earth day and recycling, farm to table concepts, seasonal changes, and gardening. Social studies topics include community service, Native American Wampanoag culture and the history of Thanksgiving, and the Medieval Age. Classroom learning is enhanced through real-life experiences such as a Thank the Farmer Breakfast and field trips to local active farms, an orchard, theater, and botanical garden. 

Kindergarten students gain early Spanish language skills in weekly spanish class lessons.  Students also explore their musical and artistic talents in weekly classes.  The importance of physical education and movement for early learners is fostered through a daily structured Physical Education class. In addition, students enjoy outdoor recess twice daily for free play opportunities, and further gross motor development.  Students get to shine on stage as they develop early public speaking skills through their class play, declamation day, and musical performances. 
Grymes does amazing things for its size. It’s a safe place where young children are respected as individuals but also held to high standards by the entire community. Communication with the school is deep and thoughtfully tailored to each child. Our kids come home happy and excited.
Mollie Visosky
Grymes Parent