Lower School

Grades pre-Kindergarten - Five

Channeling Curiosity.

Young children are intrinsically motivated to learn. They look at the world around them with wonder and a desire to understand all they experience. Our goal is for Lower School boys to head off to Middle School with their internal drive to learn intact.The Gilman Lower School curriculum helps boys develop the foundational knowledge, learning skills, and personality traits to prepare them for success in school and beyond. We nurture the innate curiosity, wonder, and desire to learn in each boy.

Our curriculum recognizes the unique needs of young boys and channels their natural energy, curiosity, and exuberance into learning activities at every age. The kindergarten program bridges the pre-school and primary school years, engaging boys in an enriching and age-appropriate academic program that meets their specific developmental and educational needs, and the prep-one class offers a singular transition for those boys not quite ready for the rigors of an academically-oriented first grade. The overall Lower School program is challenging, yet warm, friendly, and supportive.

Lower School Stories

Fun and Fundraising with Bingo

A large turnout for the Lacrosse Bingo event yielded more than family fun for hundreds of players of all ages. It also raised more than $3,500 for the varsity lacrosse team training trip to Arizona during spring break. Here is a photo gallery from the evening.

#1 in Squash

Jack Paternotte ’27 has won the Mid-Atlantic Squash Championship for under-11 players. He is ranked #1 in the state for his age group and #41 in the U.S. Jack always plays in his Gilman gear and proudly represents the School. He is known by players and parents as a gentleman on and off the court. Well done, Jack!

Deadline for Financial Aid Applications

The deadline for current families to apply for financial aid for the 2019-20 school year is coming up on Friday, December 14. Here is the link to the application. Please contact Director of Financial Aid Kip Digges if you have questions.

Share Your Culture: Call for Parent Volunteers

Planning is underway for the 16th Annual Cultural Arts Festival, which will take place on Sunday, February 10, 2019. The Parent Committee for this event is seeking volunteers to share their ethnic or cultural heritage with the community or help on the day of the event. Here's how to volunteer.

Harvesting for the Hungry

Gilman families showed up in force at First Fruits Farm during the first Service Saturday of the school year. More than 25 Gilman students and their families helped to harvest approximately 2,000 pounds of tomatoes and 30,000 ears of corn that were made available to needy area families. See photos here.

Hazardous Tales

The author of Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, an award-winning graphic novel series that showcases historic events and individuals, spent a day with Gilman’s Lower and Middle Schools last month. Read all about it here.