Our Academics
The Lower School program at Foundry Academy places an emphasis on excellence in academics, personal development, and engaging classes.
Practical projects, small class sizes, and teachers who are experts in their fields allow us to offer a unique educational environment.
Through authentic learning and individual attention, your child will be challenged, have fun, and discover their passions and potential.
The Lower School Model
With our authentic learning model we have designed a curriculum to engage students through integrative dynamic real-world learning.
We have core classes where students learn essentials in mathematics, reading, writing, and comprehension.
Students are placed in these classes based on APTITUDE, not age/grade level.
Then we have specialised classes where students explore new skills like Spanish, robotics, coding, and art. Finally we have unit studies in Humanities and Sciences, and our Friday explorations for students to engage, experiment, and test what they are learning in a practical way.
All of this sits on a foundation of a caring community where a child feels safe to learn, grow, and have fun.
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It's the Foundry Way.
Our Educational Philosophy
Strong character is an essential facet of a meaningful life. And education is not just for future financial success, it is to make the world a better place.
We help to educate the whole student through:​
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House
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Honor code
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Self monitoring
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Service projects
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Student care of our campuses
Educating students outside in the natural world is healthy for their mind, body, and for the environment.
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We have four days a week at our Peachtree City campus, where students learn in a classroom setting, and outside in our forest and gardens.
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One day a week we head out on excursions and adventures exploring state parks, caring for animals, and putting academic theory into action!
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Every day we ensure students have time in nature through recess, outdoor classes, and P.E.
Intelligence is plastic. With a growth mindset, students are capable of achieving goals they never thought possible.
Students are placed in courses based on ability not age.
The diverse academic and emotional needs of gifted students are met.
Students are challenged with classical and modern literature, STEM courses, and in-depth history explorations.
Utilizing authentic learning is key: this means a curriculum designed to engage students through an integrative dynamic education.
Current research into the best practices in education shows that the authentic curriculum model results in better academic outcomes for students.
In practical terms, this means that when you connect classroom experiences to life outside school, learning is more meaningful and relevant.
Integrating critical thinking and challenging theoretical academics with practical projects results in a high achieving engaged student.
Students are capable of complex critical thinking and problem solving, to address critical societal and ethical issues.
Problem solving skills
Harkness / Socratic methods
Projects
Student-led debates and projects
Effective communication is often the only difference between a good idea and a successful initiative.
Strong writing program
Debate experience
Writing incorporated throughout curriculum
Communication skills are integrated across the curriculum
Entrepreneurship provides the opportunity to utilize academic, personal and professional skills needed in future life.
This country offers real opportunities for self-starters who are given the necessary skills and knowledge to create their own businesses, jobs, and careers.
With that in mind, our school fosters creativity, curiosity, and out of the box thinking through our entrepreneurship program.
Entrepreneurship teaches vital skills from teamwork, to marketing, to problem solving, to finance and economics,
It also teaches empathy as students see how their endeavors can help others.
Students learn best in an environment with a diversity of subject experts, peers, teachers, and community leaders in projects that are integrated across the disciplines.
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Integrative projects
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Teachers who are experts in their fields
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Community engagement and visiting subject experts
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Internships
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Festivals, parties, and projects that reflect the rich cultures and histories of the families at our school.
