The Kazoo School Lower School is a nurturing and active place, with approximately 50 children from first through fourth grades. Beginning in first grade we construct our classes in a mixed aged group format linking first and second students together, and third and fourth grade students together. Students spend two years with the same teacher and benefit from the strong connections created by the continuity of this relationship. Our teachers develop a warm and sharing bond with their students, and we encourage that closeness by maintaining a low student-teacher ratio. Each basegroup has about 15 pupils, with one head teacher.

Teachers help children find ways to express their ideas and gain confidence in discussions; children are encouraged to ask questions, and express their thoughts. Walk into a classroom and you will find children writing and directing their own plays, reading chapter books, engaging in scientific discovery, creating art projects that connect with the history they are studying, or collecting data to illustrate the graphs they constructed in their study of statistics.

Lower School students work with older and younger peers: older students "tutor" younger students, they read together, work on history or science projects together; several may work on a school-wide project like our greening initiative. Such activities add a rich dimension to our students' lives. They help them gain confidence in their skills, provide opportunities for leadership, and demonstrate a capacity to contribute to the broader community.

Children learn the fundamental academic skills they will use throughout their lives; we emphasize proficient reading, clear and effective writing, and a problem solving approach to mathematics. We work to help our students develop independent study skills, and a genuine love of learning.

A student’s day includes significant time with their basegroup teacher and a variety of opportunities for special area classes including: Physical Education – every day, art, music, and Spanish.