The Religious Education program at Stuart Hall is rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church, with a sequential study of Scripture, the Church, and the Sacraments. Faith is woven into students’ daily lives—beginning each day with the school prayer and continuing through classroom lessons, service, and reflection.

Lower School students attend weekly chapel where they focus on the Qualities of the Month. Religious services include monthly Masses led by different the grade levels, as well as observances of Holy Days of Obligation, May Crowning, the Living Rosary, Confession, and the Stations of the Cross. Through these experiences, students are encouraged to live their faith every day, both in and beyond the classroom.

The Lower School French program is designed to foster a love of the French language and an appreciation of French culture. The early years of the program rely heavily on puppets, toys, games, songs, and materials that are intrinsically interesting to the boys. The program is mainly oral in the early grades. This program also helps reinforce the early years of writing and counting. More formal grammar study begins in the fourth grade with the addition of a variety of teaching materials, including books, videos, websites, and teacher-prepared skits and texts. English grammar is also reinforced through the introduction of various grammar concepts such as tenses, pronouns, nouns, subjects, verbs, adjectives, prepositions, possessives, and commands.

Each month, the school counselor goes to the classrooms to further focus on the specific Quality of the Month—a character trait designed to help children grow emotionally and socially. Through engaging stories, creative crafts, and meaningful group discussions, the boys explore what these qualities look like in everyday life and how they can practice them at school and home.

Our social-emotional learning time supports key developmental goals, including:

• Understanding and managing emotions

• Setting and working toward positive goals

• Developing empathy and compassion for others

• Building and maintaining healthy relationships

• Making thoughtful, responsible decisions

These lessons are woven into daily routines, helping the boys build the foundation for lifelong emotional well-being and positive social interactions.

Library classes begin in PK3 and continue throughout each boy’s early years at Stuart Hall, fostering a lifelong love of reading and learning. As students grow, the program evolves—introducing age-appropriate lessons in research, information literacy, and digital responsibility.

Through Library Tech classes, Lower School boys build essential technology skills that support learning across all subjects, from responsible internet use to effective research and presentation tools. In addition to class time, students are encouraged to visit the library throughout the day to check out books, explore new interests, and nurture their passion for reading.

Read-aloud sessions remain a cherished part of the Lower School curriculum, helping boys develop an appreciation for literature and the joy of reading as a pathway to knowledge and imagination.

The Lower School art program engages boys in creative exploration, encouraging them to express individuality, develop visual thinking, and build confidence through artistic discovery. Using a wide range of materials and techniques, boys learn to observe, imagine, and create with purpose. They are inspired to take risks, solve problems, and find joy in the creative process as well as pride in their finished work. Through these experiences, our boys develop not only artistic skills but also persistence, curiosity, confidence and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.

The Lower School music program immerses boys in the rich and exciting world of music. Through engaging lessons, they explore the fundamental elements of music while discovering a wide range of musical styles, instruments, composers, and forms.  Boys actively participate in ensembles with a special emphasis placed on percussion instruments, including hand chimes and hand bells, which allow students to develop rhythm, coordination, and teamwork in a dynamic, hands-on way.

Throughout the year, boys showcase their growing musical talents by performing at a variety of events both on and off campus, building confidence and a lifelong appreciation for music.

The Physical Education program at Stuart Hall builds on the foundation established in earlier years, challenging boys to apply their skills in more complex and competitive settings. With an emphasis on structured play, teamwork, and sportsmanship, the program helps students develop not only physical ability but also character and leadership.

Boys participate in a variety of team sports and cooperative games that promote strategy, communication, and respect for others. Through guided instruction and healthy competition, they learn the importance of perseverance, fair play, and collaboration—values that extend beyond the playing field.

The Lower School students attend PE three days a week, ensuring consistent opportunities for movement, growth, and camaraderie as they strengthen both body and mind.

The Regan Tinker Lab serves as a maker’s space for our youngest learners to problem solve, innovate, wonder, discover, and tinker with various materials and the world around them. Tinker Lab classes incorporate our METALS curriculum and will include discovery activities in the disciplines of Math, Engineering, Technology, Art, Logic, and Science. Each week, boys in grades PK3-2nd grades are presented with tasks or challenges to complete in the lab that are directly connected to current themes and curricula. The lab is equipped with child-sized tools, nails, screws, bolts, pegs, and more. Additionally, the lab houses amenities that include a drafting table, magnetic wall, light discovery table, a cozy think-tank space, art supplies and media, and a Lego wall, just to name a few.

Lower School students go to the Science Lab two times a week, where they utilize Project Lead the Way. PLTW is designed with activities that let them see what they can be and build skills to discover what they can do. Students are immersed in hands-on activities, projects, and problems that build upon each other and relate to the real world. They experience integrated learning that blends computer science, engineering, biomedical science, and more. Throughout the modules, even the youngest learners apply their math and English Language Arts (ELA) skills, learn science to standards, and acquire foundational skills that are applicable across disciplines.