Beginning in Kindergarten, Hackley’s youngest students discover a world of new and wonderful learning opportunities. In a cooperative and respectful environment, children find a caring, challenging, and enriching program that is built upon Hackley’s true love of learning.
Our teachers know how to generate enthusiasm for learning, how to capture a child’s imagination, and how to inspire learners to reach beyond their own expectations. Along with the qualities of warmth and cooperation, Hackley holds gentle but firm expectations for every student. These expectations, reflected in the very behavior of our faculty, convey the message: “We care about you – what you do, and what you learn.”
Our young learners are encouraged to work diligently within the traditional academic disciplines. In addition, our K - 4 youngsters are engaged in a comprehensive, integrated “Specials” Program. Indeed, our Lower School specialists in Art, Drama, Music, Spanish, Physical Education, Library, Science and Computer work closely with each of other classroom teachers in order to develop age-appropriate experiences. Children delight in the multitude of field trips and special projects to which they are exposed in the course of their five-year Lower School experience.
Consistent with Hackley’s strong commitment to moral education, our faculty fosters the development of student character. Through modeling, teaching, celebrating and practicing virtues of tolerance, responsibility, hard work, honesty and kindness, teachers assist children in understanding what it means to be part of an ethical, just and caring community. By nurturing respect for self, others and the environment, our children will be better prepared to make positive contributions to their world.
The Extended Day Program
The Extended Day Program has been designed for all students K through 4. It serves as a means for children to socialize with friends who do not reside in their local neighborhood and for children of working parents. The program operates all regular school days from Lower School dismissal time until 6:00 PM. The exceptions to this schedule includes any day that Hackley is closed, such as a snow day or if Hackley has an early closing due to weather conditions. The program begins on the first day of school in September.
The Program offers children the opportunity to socialize with children in each of our grades within a teacher supervised setting. Our playgrounds, all-purpose room and assigned classrooms provide the setting for game playing, reading, drawing, or just plain chatting. On Mondays through Thursdays, students who have academic assignments participate in a supervised homework room.
Parents are responsible for transportation home. Lower School students whose parents have made arrangements with their local bus company and local school district may ride the late bus home. Specific arrangements must be forwarded to the Extended Day Co-Directors.
There is a $30.00 per day cost for this program. Billing is done on a monthly basis through the Business Office.
After-School Programs
In addition to our Extended Day Program, we offer a selection of courses for children to experience. Classes in Art, Pottery, Chess, Dance, Foreign Language and Nature Studies are offered. Each class meets once a week for eight to ten weeks, usually in one-hour blocks after dismissal. There is also a fee for this program.
