Academics
Lower School

Lower School Course Offerings

Lower School Curriculum

Mount Pisgah Lower School provides a Biblically integrated standards based curriculum with detailed learning targets. Multiple assessments allow students opportunities to reach various levels of proficiency throughout a unit of study.  

Teachers differentiate instruction and meet students at their level of readiness to learn, resulting in academic growth while cultivating a growth mindset. Standards based grading is also used at the Lower School level.  
 

List of 5 items.

  • Literacy

    Reading instruction in the Lower School inspires a love of reading while guiding students through foundational skills needed to succeed as independent readers.

    The Lower School uses the Wilson Language Fundations and Heggerty reading curriculums, which are backed by research and align to Orton-Gillingham principles of instruction and the science of reading.

    Teachers provide explicit and systematic instruction on reading skills and strategies. Small-group reading instruction helps teachers focus on students' specific needs and accelerate their progress.

    In addition to independent and small group reading, students engage with whole-class texts that expose them to a wide variety of genres and perspectives.

  • Writing

    Lower School students benefit from modeling, teaching, and assessing writing skills through the use of the writing process in order to develop students' ability to communicate for a variety of purposes and audiences.

    Mentor texts are used to guide the content and genre.  During writing, students compose pieces of writing and become effective communicators. This approach embraces clear and focused writing instruction.

    Students explore the entire process: drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Writing skills build in complexity each year and students grow as writers of narratives, opinions, and informational texts.

  • Math

    Lower School students will engage in an inquiry based math curriculum. Investigations math is implemented in kindergarten through fourth grade. 

    Through Investigations, students actively engage and collaborate to develop fluency and mathematical understandings. Investigations is a student-centered math program allowing for differentiation throughout the curriculum.

  • Science

    Lower School students engage in exploring science concepts to analyze and interpret data; construct explanations and solutions; and obtain, evaluate, and communicate information through the Inspire Science Curriculum.

    Students will inquire into units that focus on the earth and space sciences, life sciences, and physical sciences. Science instruction focuses on the Next Generation Science Standards to allow students to engage in scientific thinking and have a deeper understanding of science concepts.
     

  • Social Studies

    Lower School students gain knowledge about geography and local, state, national, and global communities from the past to the present.

    Social Studies provides an ideal opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary, hands-on inquiry and project-based experiences. Students build curiosity and appreciation for differences and develop cultural competence.

    Students build deeper historical knowledge about Georgia, the United States, and the world to further strengthen their understanding of self and place.

Lower School Co-curriculars

Lower School students have the opportunity to practice their creativity and express themselves through visual arts, music education, physical education, and bible each week. Junior Kindergarten through second grade rotate weekly through music, Bible, art, music and 212 class. They have the opportunity to attend PE class twice a week in Junior Kindergarten through Second Grade. In the third and fourth grade students have one wheel rotation, which allows them to have a second physical education class, culinary, and worship arts class every six weeks. Students in third and fourth grade also have two opportunities to go to 212 classes each week.

List of 6 items.

  • Bible/Chapel

    We seek to give opportunities for our students to be challenged, develop, and learn through daily devotions, Bible classes, weekly chapels, Christian Living Projects, and serving the community as they learn how to live a life of virtue while sharing Christ’s love.

  • STEAM / 212°

    Lower School students will be engaged in Steam through weekly classes that focus on integrated units and the WozEd Curriculum. 

    Over the course of their time in the Lower School students will complete the Engineering, Animation, and Coding Pathways Levels 1 and 2. During Steam class students will focus on collaboration, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. At 212° water boils and becomes Steam! 

  • Music

    Our primary goal is to help students find the power of their own, unique creativity. We achieve this by teaching students how to match pitch, identify and understand rhythms, improvise, compose, and also how to listen and evaluate high quality musical performances. We enjoy singing and playing different instruments throughout the year! 

  • Art

    Every child is an artist and we believe this stage of their development is an important opportunity to cultivate and honor their individual creativity. Each student will be introduced to various artists and time periods while also using multiple media and processes.

  • Culinary

    In culinary class students are able to explore geography and cultures through food, reinforce math concepts, and practice ‘kitchen science’. The experience of creating food will help build their self-confidence and lay the foundation for healthy eating habits.

  • P.E.

    Our students learn that exercise, teamwork, play, and a healthy diet are important for all aspects of their life. Students are able to do this in a safe, encouraging environment where we honor our Savior Jesus and each other! 

Standards-Based Grading

The Lower School utilizes Standards-Based Grading (SBG). Standards-Based Grading has been shown to increase student learning and engagement. Instead of a single grade per subject, each subject is broken down into smaller learning targets.

Students are more aware of what they are expected to learn as well as their progress throughout the year, ultimately resulting in ownership of their learning. SBG provides specific feedback giving parents and students alike a more detailed outline of student growth and achievement.  


Social Emotional Learning

Mount Pisgah Lower School provides a comprehensive counseling program to empower students to develop key emotional and social competencies. Our school counselor connects with the students through monthly classroom guidance lessons covering a variety of topics concerning students’ social, emotional, academic, and spiritual well-being.

Our Lower School counselor is available to talk with students, advise faculty, and partner with parents. While we do not provide on-going individualized counseling, we are able to provide therapist referrals and partner with outside professionals to support students and their families. 

Mount Pisgah
Christian School

Mount Pisgah Christian School is a Christian school in Johns Creek, Georgia, serving more than 1,000 students, Infant-12th grade. MPCS provides an outstanding college preparatory education, grounded in Christian faith and values.

9820 Nesbit Ferry Rd
Johns Creek, GA 30022-9881
P. (678) 336-3400
E. mpcsmarketing@mountpisgahschool.org