A Christian Education for the Elementary Years
PreK to Grade 4
When your child started recognizing colors and sounding out letters, your chest surely swelled with pride. And now, they are moving on to more challenging tasks and building their academic foundation.
In this season, you’ll want a caring teacher who supports all learners to grow in their educational journey and who encourage them to reach their God-given potential. You’ll need a school community that welcomes new friends and teaches students how to serve others ahead of themselves.
That’s why you should consider partnering with Whitefield Academy, one of the top private schools in Smyrna, GA. Here, the Lower School years offer children small class sizes with both lead and associate teachers, specialists who strengthen reading and math skills, a Christ-centered culture, and enriching experiences in Spanish, art, music, and more.
To help you visualize how it all comes together, we’ve outlined what life in the Lower School looks like — from our educational approach and curriculum to the opportunities that make this stage so formative.
See How Your Family Could Fit Here
Reach out to our Admissions Team by phone at 678-305-3027 or by email.
The Lower School at Whitefield has been such a gift to our family, a place where our children are known, loved, and encouraged to grow in both their faith and learning every single day.”
Lindsey McClellan
An Educational Approach That Honors Every Child
In Whitefield’s Lower School, education begins with a simple conviction: every child is an image bearer of God, created with unique gifts and potential. That belief shapes classrooms where students are encouraged to try, to question, and to discover that learning is not only meaningful but also joyful.
In PreK and kindergarten, students use an active, multi-sensory approach to learning. Through Bible stories, songs, and daily prayer, children start to understand God’s love and how to share that with others.This spirit of discovery continues through grade-level themes that integrate academics, faith, and real-world experiences:
Behind these experiences is a team of teachers who use research-based practices to ensure every child is both challenged and supported. Reading is strengthened through novel studies and annotation, while math skills are solidified with manipulatives and Number Talks. Teachers move between whole-group instruction, small groups, and one-on-one support, assessing progress in real-time. With reading and math specialists walking alongside classroom teachers, students receive the encouragement and accountability they need to thrive.
This balanced approach, where joyful exploration pairs with rich academics, equips children with the skills and habits they need to flourish in middle school and beyond.
Discover the Whitefield Difference at Every Stage
Safety, Faith, and Opportunities That Matter
Safe and Nurturing Spaces
From the moment students arrive each morning, their safety and well-being guide every decision we make. The Lower School building is carefully secured with limited access points, a monitored front desk, and a dedicated team of four full-time security officers, including an off-duty City of Smyrna police officer on campus each day. Teachers are trained in safety procedures and participate in monthly drills to ensure that every student knows what to do in the event of an emergency.
Health and emotional support are also woven into daily life. A full-time nurse is on hand to provide medical care, and each classroom keeps emergency medical supplies tailored to students’ needs. Our guidance counselor works with children throughout the year, teaching social-emotional skills that promote confidence, kindness, and resilience.
Faith and Family Involvement
Every day is anchored in God’s Word, with prayer in the classroom and a weekly chapel. Each subject is taught through a biblical worldview, while teachers and staff model what it means to live out the Christian faith. Parents are welcomed into this journey too, whether through parenting workshops, special events, or volunteer opportunities that make them an active part of school life. Sweet traditions, like seniors walking kindergartners into their very first chapel or third graders helping first graders read, remind families that everyone is valued at Whitefield.
Enrichment and Technology for Today’s Learners
Lower School students take part in a rotation of specials that includes:
These experiences spark creativity and curiosity while reinforcing what’s taught in core subjects. Technology is woven in with intentional care, so students use digital tools to research, create, and collaborate while still learning through books, manipulatives, and hands-on practice. By third and fourth grade, students are also taught what it means to be good stewards of technology, and they begin to learn about responsibility, balance, and discernment in their digital choices.
Beyond the School Day
Athletics and extracurricular programs encourage children to explore new interests, in everything from basketball and ballet to choir and chess. We also offer Cub Care, which provides after-school care until 6 p.m. for families who need it. Cub Care gives students a structured environment to complete homework and enjoy free play.
Steve Henson, M.A.T.
Lower School Principal
I believe in Whitefield Academy’s commitment to its mission and values, and I have seen how fiercely our leadership, faculty, and staff uphold a passion for learning, others ahead of self, and the living and active Jesus. As a college preparatory school grounded in the scripture, Whitefield approaches all knowledge from a biblical perspective. In Lower School, students are challenged through differentiated instruction and the healthy struggle of learning, while parents are embraced as essential partners in our school community.
Learn More About Our Christian School in Smyrna, Georgia
Reach out to our Admissions Team by phone at 678-305-3027 or by email.