Lower School
Kindergarten - 5th Grade
Our Heights Academy Lower School is dedicated to providing an exceptional foundation for children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade. Our Lower School program fosters comprehensive growth by integrating academic excellence, interactive learning, and spiritual development within a nurturing Christian environment. We support each child’s physical, social, academic, emotional, and spiritual growth, celebrating their unique gifts and needs. Our goal is to develop the next generation of leaders through excellent Christian education, fostering discipleship, while growing in knowledge and applying their learning in meaningful ways. Our Lower School educators are committed to impacting students’ hearts and lives for eternity, partnering closely with parents to provide a well rounded and supportive learning environment.
LOWER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE
Join us for an Open House on March 10th from 10am-11am to learn more about our Lower School and what it means to be a Heights Academy Lion!
K-2nd GRADE
At Heights Academy, our Kindergarten–2nd grade program builds a strong foundation for academic growth, confident leadership, and Christ-centered character. Each year builds on the last, pairing research-based instruction with hands-on learning and personalized support. Students grow as readers, writers, and problem-solvers while learning to apply God’s Word, discover their gifts, and care for others.
Highlights of our curriculum include:
Reading and Writing: Instruction aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning combines whole-group lessons with targeted small-group support. Research-based resources, including UFLI Foundations, Heggerty, and Handwriting Without Tears, strengthen phonics, spelling, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and early writing skills.
Math: Hands-on activities and visual models help students understand the “why” behind math. Students build number sense, explore place value and operations, explain their thinking, and apply problem-solving skills to concepts such as time, money, and measurement.
Science and Social Studies: Exploration, projects, and discussion invite students to discover God’s world with wonder. From weather and seasons to communities, geography, and history, students learn to observe, investigate, compare, and make meaningful connections.
Bible: Students explore Bible stories, Scripture memory, key people and themes, and how the Bible fits together. Lessons help children deepen their understanding of God’s Word and apply its truth in everyday life.
Chapel Leadership: Daily Chapel Leadership classes give every K–2 student opportunities to lead worship, share Bible stories, and guide peers in prayer. With responsibilities growing each year, students develop confidence, public speaking skills, teamwork, and spiritual leadership.
Enrichment: Art, music, physical education, and Spanish encourage creativity, movement, teamwork, and cultural understanding. Through age-appropriate serve opportunities with local non-profits, students learn why and how we serve while developing empathy, responsibility, and a heart for the community.
In our nurturing Christian classrooms, students are known, supported, and challenged to grow academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Partnering closely with families, we help children build lasting skills and a growing faith, equipping them to follow God faithfully, excel academically, serve passionately, and lead others authentically.
3rd-5th grade
As we prepare to expand our Lower School to include 3rd through 5th grade, our future program will build on the academic and spiritual foundations established in the early grades. Students will deepen their understanding, grow in independence, and develop as confident, Christ-centered leaders.
Highlights of our planned curriculum include:
Reading and Writing: Instruction will emphasize comprehension, thoughtful analysis, vocabulary, and clear communication through a variety of reading and writing experiences.
Math: Students will strengthen mathematical understanding and tackle increasingly complex problems, learning to explain their thinking and apply skills with confidence.
Science and Social Studies: Hands-on investigations and projects will develop scientific reasoning and deepen students’ understanding of history, geography, and civic responsibility.
Bible: Students will deepen their understanding of God’s Word and learn to apply biblical truth to everyday choices and relationships.
Chapel Leadership: Continued opportunities to lead will strengthen students’ confidence, public speaking, teamwork, and spiritual leadership.
Enrichment: Art, music, physical education, and Spanish will encourage continued exploration and growth. Service opportunities will help students put their faith into action and care for their community.
As we look toward this expansion, we look forward to partnering with families to nurture each child’s gifts and character, preparing students to excel academically, serve passionately, and lead authentically.
