Academics

Lower School

Welcome to Bayside's Lower School where every day is an opportunity to learn, grow, discover, and have fun! Our Lower School is a dynamic learning environment with a research-driven educational program where children thrive under the guidance of caring teachers. Whether it's playing during daily recess on our beautiful bluff, creating a masterpiece in the art studio, completing an experiment in the science lab, or connecting with friends during community time, there are many things that make Bayside Academy a very special school community.

Lower School students benefit from a rich array of enrichment classes as we seek to grow and develop outstanding students across multiple subjects. We have a Lower School science lab with a dedicated teacher, and you can also find our students outdoors exploring marine life, water quality, jubilees, and life science at our campus's outdoor science lab on the shores of Mobile Bay. Students enjoy classes in Spanish, art, music, library, and PE, with many children also taking advantage of our after-school youth sports program for their first taste of team sports and Bayside athletics. Moreover, all students have the opportunity to showcase their talents in our theater - whether it's our holiday concerts, Grandparents Day, the 2nd grade's Shakespeare play, or 4th grade's Famous Alabamians performance. Lower School students get their chance to shine on our stage in front of their classmates and families.

We focus on building community at Bayside in a myriad of ways. Our cross-divisional community time allows us to take advantage of our unique opportunity for PK3-12th grade students, who all share one campus, to enjoy community events together. Some days our Lower School students go to the Early School to read to their younger schoolmates as the "big kids", while other days our Lower School student government leaders attend student council meetings with our Middle School and Upper School elected student representatives. One of Bayside's oldest traditions is our 1st & 8th grade buddy program, where each first grader is paired with an eighth grader (or two) to build a special friendship over the course of the year.

Janna Corley, Head of Lower School

The Lower School years are a time of tremendous growth and possibility. They are the years when children build the academic foundations that will support their future while developing confidence, curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. What I love most about the learning during these years is watching curiosity turn into confidence. I love seeing a child ask a question, discover something new, overcome a challenge, and begin to believe in themselves as a learner.

In the Lower School, learning extends beyond the walls of the classroom. Our unique setting on the bay gives students the opportunity to make learning come alive from the bluff to the shoreline throughout the year. The bay becomes a meaningful part of their learning. Students don't just see where they live; they ask questions about it, explore it, understand it, and develop a connection to it.

It is with great intention that our students leave the Lower School with strong academic foundations, a curious mind, and a genuine love of learning. Most importantly, we want them to believe in themselves as learners—to know that they can ask questions, take on challenges, discover new possibilities, and continue growing. These are the foundations that will carry them forward throughout their years at Bayside and beyond.