Lower School

Experiences

Part of the magic of Annie Wright Schools is what happens outside of class time.

From enriching on-campus experiences to local travel opportunities, as well as arts & athletics programming, Lower School students have plentiful time and space to pursue their passions in and out of school.

On-Campus Experiences

List of 7 items.

Salmon School Cooperative Program

Each winter, the Lower School partners with the Washington State of Department of Fish and Wildlife and hosts 250 Coho salmon eggs in a tank on campus. All of the students have a role in caring for and tracking these Salmonid friends, and allow us to make cultural and scientific connections to our local and broader communities. They are released locally each spring with much love and well wishes from our students.
Talent Show

Once a year, Lower School risk-takers have a chance to show off their skills to the entire division, whether that be through dance, gymnastics, music, comedy, or even hula-hooping while solving a Rubix cube, at our annual Talent Show.
Student Council

Teaching responsibility, accountability and leadership skills is an important part of our Lower School program. Students in Grades 4-5 serve as class representatives to the Lower School Student Council.
Gator Gatherings

Each week, LS students gather in our historic Raynor Chapel to discuss current events and happenings, share performances or songs, and spread positivity by highlighting fellow students who have lived up to one or more IB profile attributes.
Arts

The arts are alive at AWS! From art classes to private music lessons to theatre performances, students have many options to explore and hone their artistic crafts. Learn more about LS Arts here.
Athletics

In addition to several Physical Education classes per week, Annie Wright offers Lower School students opportunities to participate in competitive sports teams right at school. Learn more about LS Athletics here.
Extended Day and Wraparound

We offer wraparound care to students in Preschool at no charge from 7:30 am - 5:30 pm. For Grades K through 8, we offer Extended Day before school starting at 7:00 am, at no charge. Recognizing the needs of students and their busy parents, Annie Wright Schools offer after-school programming until 6:00 pm with easy and budget-friendly options.

Off Campus Experiences

Lower School students venture off campus many times throughout the year on “inquiry visits,” which are each connected to a unit of inquiry within the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Usually, these also tie in with other signature projects at each grade level.

Some Examples of Inquiry Visits

List of 7 items.

Preschool

Preschool students explore the world around them with nature walks, making connections in the neighborhood to their units of inquiry.
Kindergarten

Kindergarten students partner with the Tacoma Little Theater during their Stories unit, and take a trip to the Toolbox Laboratories during their Homes unit.
Grade 1

Grade 1 students explore various murals in the city of Tacoma during their Communities unit, and visit the Pierce College Planetarium during their unit on Space. Grade 1 students also make connections during several of their units to needed action in Garfield Park and partner with MetroParks Tacoma to make this happen.
Grade 2

As a part of Grade 2 students’ Force in Motion unit, they visit the Museum of Flight. After getting inspired by real-life aircraft, they create and test their own airplanes and vessels for the Air Show & Egg Drop projects! Visits in the fall and again in the Spring to Nisqually Wildlife Refuge help students make deep connections during their Nature and Ecosystems units.
Grade 3

Grade 3 travels to Northwest Trek as a part of their unit on animal adaptations. They also take a trip to the Pierce County Emergency Operations Center during their unit on Responses to Challenges.
Grade 4

While learning about leadership and styles of government, Grade 4 heads to the Washington State Capitol building. They also tour the UW neuroscience center during their Brain unit as a part of the “Who We Are” PYP theme.
Grade 5

Grade 5’s overnight trip to NatureBridge is anchored in their Impact on the Environment unit where they are able to make both cultural and physical science connections. They also visit an exhibit at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle as part of their Voice unit, specifically looking at how voice can invoke change.