Welcome to the Lower School

A Message from the Director

Dear Parents,

As I sat at this year's Upper School awards ceremony, I was struck by what a nice tradition this event was. Parents, students and faculty come together to honor those students who have excelled during the school year, and to present them with tokens of appreciation for their hard work. Tradition. An interesting thought.


When I came to Portledge 34 years ago, there weren’t many traditions. A few, yes, but with only nine years of operation, there hadn’t been much time to really establish what would become eagerly anticipated events for our students. Over the years, some of those very early activities did evolve into traditions, traditions that have been tweaked and enhanced, bringing us to this tradition today, of seeing our 5th graders move on to Middle School. We were all reminded of the tradition of the Portledge Fair this morning. Well, the fair started as a circus, when we were Miss Stoddard’s School for Very Little People. Somewhere along the way it evolved into a little fair, and then a big fair, and from there into a wonderful new tradition, Founder’s Day, where we celebrate our own community with family and friends – something just for us, to remind us how lucky we are to be part of such a wonderful school.


School wide traditions like Blue-White Day, the yearbook dedication, the Thanksgiving Assembly – all celebrations that involve each and every one of us. Tradition – that the very first question the 4h graders ask us in September “what’s the Holiday play going to be”? and then the tradition of an exciting evening with lights, camera, action! Tradition – to stand up at assembly and share with us …. Well, anything! And we certainly have learned some interesting things about all of you! Tradition – that the Lower Schoolers have a marvelous picnic at the end of the year just for fun (yesterday’s circus was somewhat reminiscent of that early time at Miss Stoddard’s). Tradition – the spring luncheon in Kindergarten, the second grade cookout, the third grade trip to Safety Town, the fifth grade trip to Broadway. Tradition – that excellent teachers teach excellent lessons.   And new traditions – our insect garden, with its special teaching circle - butterflies and bugs are already finding a new home.

The overriding tradition here at Portledge is one of excellence. As you look over the list of colleges our seniors will be attending this fall, I am pleased by the number of children who began their academic careers right here in the Lower School. Of the 11 students in Cum Laude, The national organization for 11th and 12th grade high school students that is modeled on Phi Beta Kappa, seven came to Portledge in the Lower School, five in Early Childhood, moved up on a great day in June, struggled to grow up in Middle school as you will, and successfully navigated the sometimes confusing, always exciting world of the Upper School. These students didn’t receive the honors or get into these colleges only because of their outstanding grades. They got there because they are outstanding young people and wonderful human beings.

As I reflect on the school year that has just ended, I realize that nothing brings me more pride than to continue to keep alive the traditions of Portledge School. For more information about our Lower School Curriculum, click here.

Kind regards,

Lisa Cermak
Director of Lower School