Brookewood Lower School
Lower school students (grades K-5) follow a Western liberal arts curriculum based loosely on the guidelines in E.D. Hirsche Jr.’s Cultural Literacy. Students build literacy skills through reading classic children’s stories and focusing on basic grammatical concepts. They also begin to read, understand, and memorize poetry. Math classes follow an integrated curriculum that emphasizes continual skill building. Science focuses on natural history and includes subjects such as botany, ornithology, and astronomy. The History curriculum focuses on the American experience. Religion classes follow the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We also teach classes in art and music several times a week. Every Brookewood student studies Italian.
“How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!”
Lower School Curriculum
Mathematics
Brookewood has adopted the Saxon Mathematics series for our math program with the exception of Calculus. The classes consist of short lectures followed by students working on sample problems. The books are rigorous and there is little “fluff.” The learning is incremental with continual review. There is frequent cumulative testing. There is also an emphasis on correcting mistakes, a key area where much learning can take place. The classes will be supplemented with math puzzles, mental math, and topics from the history of math. Saxon books are especially suited for students to advance above grade level and we will do our best to accommodate such cases.
Science
At Brookewood, science is a hands-on subject. Girls will be encouraged to catch insects, frogs, turtles, snakes, and other small animals (little brothers and sisters excluded). We expect them to be able to identify over 50 birds, over 30 trees, and other wildlife. Rocks, fossils, and artifacts will observed and collected. Peterson, Stokes, and the Golden Field Guides will be the students’ guides; Handbook of Nature Study, is the teacher’s guide.
English
At Brookewood School, the English curriculum for grades K–5 is rooted in a love of language and the power of words to shape thought and character. A hallmark of our program is poetry memorization and recitation, practiced regularly from the earliest grades. By learning and performing great poems aloud, students cultivate a deep appreciation for rhythm, beauty, and meaning in language while developing poise, confidence, and strong memory skills.
Alongside poetry, students build a solid foundation in reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary through classic literature, phonics instruction, and structured writing exercises. From sounding out their first words to composing five-paragraph essays, Brookewood students grow into articulate, thoughtful, and expressive young women.
Religion
Cardinal Hickey said, “Our schools are our most effective way of providing sustained religious instruction.” We have adopted the Ignatius Press series for our religion program in grades three through eight. Its authentic teaching and beautiful artwork present wonderfully the richness of the Catholic faith. In all things, but especially through our religion program, we hope to form girls into young women who will make a more human, vital society.
The goal is to give the girls an intellectual vision of the world as made by God and kept in existence by Him, and the central importance of the redemption by Jesus Christ on the cross and its renewal in the sacrifice of the Mass. Students are taught the basic prayers, the various articles of the Apostle’s Creed, major stories from the Old and New Testaments, and lives of selected saints.
History
At Brookewood School, the K–5 history curriculum invites students into the grand sweep of human civilization through the engaging and narrative-rich series The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer. Beginning with ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece in first grade and moving through medieval times, early modern history, and the modern age by fifth grade, students encounter the people, places, and stories that have shaped our world. Bauer’s text provides the backbone of our chronological, story-based approach, fostering both historical understanding and wonder. Alongside this rich narrative, students explore geography and map skills in each grade and bring history to life through hands-on projects and creative reenactments. By immersing students in the cultures, myths, and movements of the past, we help them see the coherence of history and the enduring legacy of the Judeo-Christian tradition in Western civilization.
Electives
Brookewood School’s K–5 elective program nurtures the whole child by offering meaningful instruction in physical education, visual art, and music.
In Physical Education, students develop coordination, fitness, and teamwork through a variety of sports, games, and health lessons that emphasize active participation and personal wellness.
Art classes invite students to explore classical drawing and painting techniques, building fine motor skills and artistic confidence through disciplined practice and design principles.
In Music, all students participate in a non-selective choral class, singing a wide range of repertoire—from ancient chant and sacred music to lively show tunes performed at the annual school musical gala. These electives enrich each student’s experience by encouraging creativity, expression, and joyful participation in community life.
Italian
Brookewood’s Italian program for grades 1–5 introduces students to the beauty and richness of Italian language and culture in a joyful and engaging way. In the early grades, students are immersed in Italian through songs, stories, games, and basic conversational practice, fostering both curiosity and confidence in speaking. As they progress, students deepen their understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension while continuing to explore Italian literature, music, food, and traditions. By fifth grade, students are prepared for the more rigorous study of Italian in middle school, equipped with a strong foundation in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Through weekly conversations, grammar review, and interactive activities, the Italian program helps students develop both linguistic skill and cultural appreciation.
