Lower School

A place where the whole child is celebrated, embraced, and nourished to learn through risk taking and play. We are a loving, inclusive community of students, parents and staff who are actively engaged in working together socially, emotionally and intellectually. We strive to prepare all students to become empathetic and responsible global leaders who are self-directed and driven by People, Passion, and Purpose. The Lower School comprises the Early Childhood (Pre-K to Kindergarten) and Elementary (Grades 1-5) classes.

The Lower School is a vibrant and inclusive place to learn with small classes to ensure a high level of care and attention to every child. Lower School students are encouraged to embrace the values of kindness, friendship and respect, alongside perseverance and a love of learning. These foundation years are focused on ensuring the core skills of Literacy, Math problem solving and individual expression are developed and supported as far as possible. This is in readiness for the transition to the Middle and High School.

The students throughout Lower School enjoy learning experiences outside of school to further enhance their understanding of the real world by visiting museums, art galleries and other curriculum enhancing events. Lower School students are assessed through summative and formative assessments by their Homeroom and Specialist teachers and Grades 1-5 take the NWEA MAP testing twice a year. Report cards are issued to parents every quarter and semester and parents are invited to Parent/Teacher conferences bi-annually. 

Opened in the Fall of 2022, our students are able to take their academics outside to our Outdoor Classrooms, a space that showcases both the artisans of Morocco and reflects its culture and values. Our Outdoor Classroom specifically caters for the needs and interests of ASM’s Pre-K-5 students, where hands-on learning is at the forefront of everything we do. With messy play, loose parts and an engaging Makerspace, this space has been a dream of ASM and we could not be more excited about the many ways it positively impacts our student population and reinforces the school-to-world learning connection. .

I welcome you to come visit the Lower School and see the wonderful environment our children experience on a daily basis. I look forward to working with you and your children at ASM.

Warmly,

Amanda Eisenthal

Lower School Division Head

In Elementary School, we believe that learning should be fun, exciting, challenging, and intriguing. Engaging young minds to become excited about what they’re learning is what motivates our teachers each day. Tapping into each student’s creativity, critical thinking, and using one’s personal background and culture supports our mission to embrace a multicultural world. A strong childhood education establishes the knowledge needed for future academic and social development, and hopefully, creates the spark for life-long learning in every student.

Understanding the desire to have well-rounded children who can problem-solve, communicate effectively, build friendships, know how to ask for help, learn through collaboration and build independence, is a goal within the Elementary. We are committed to creating a safe and engaging learning environment, challenging the intellect in three languages, and cultivating resilient, skilled leaders who have a beneficial rippling effect on the wonderful world around us. Moreover, our talented multilingual team of professionals are dedicated to developing a strong foundation of learning in every student from Grade1 to Grade 5. Our teachers use research based teaching methods, learning through inquiry, the Second Step social-emotional learning scheme,to meet the varying needs of each and every learner. 

The Elementary School takes our spirited youth on a journey of inquiry in the core subjects of Literacy, Math, Science and Social Studies. It is paired with specialized instruction in Art, Music, Computers, Physical Education, Library, Science, Arabic, and French. Elementary students are further supported with health and learning services that help shape the whole child through counseling, ELL support, and/or enrichment. Since a healthy, ebullient community balances academics with a fun After-School Activities program, you’ll find we also offer something for everyone so every student has the opportunity to become interested, excel, and build lasting relationships that will not only nourish each person socially, but reshape them as individuals .An ASM student is a well-rounded individual with very strong academic skills, excellent character as well as a rich global perspective.

The  Early Childhood Program at the American School of Marrakech features an inquiry through play,, student centered approach allowing the children to learn and grow in a nurturing and welcoming school environment. We celebrate and respect children as capable, competent, resilient learners who are full of curiosity and wonder. We value the diversity of our community and appreciate the unique contributions of each family, culture, and background. By learning through play, children have authentic opportunities to work, play, collaborate and create to make sense of the world around them. Through inquiry and exploration, alongside intentional teaching children engage in thematic experiences. We provide continuous provision for all our Early Childhood students both indoors and in our Outdoor Classroom. We aim to develop students who are empathic, independent and globally aware. 

With emphasis on our student’s wellbeing, our Early Childhood program has a strong social and emotional curriculum to help develop their independence, risk taking,  tolerance and resilience in themselves. We use the Second Step program from KG2.   Our curriculum provides authentic experiences for our students in Literacy, Math, Science and Social studies as well Music, Library, Art, Arabic, French and from KG2, Physical Development and Computer Science. The students begin our phonic program from KG1 to develop their phonemic awareness and lead to early reading and writing. 

ASM values school excursions as they contribute to the development of our students by helping them become more civilized young men and women who possess knowledge of classical antiquity, stronger critical-thinking skills, increased historical empathy, higher levels of tolerance, and a greater appreciation for art and culture. The cultural heritage of Marrakesh is like no other in that it offers art, museums and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Our Lower School field trip program affects students’ values and exposes them to a diversity of ideas, peoples, places, and time periods. Hands-on and virtual enrichment opportunities impart greater understanding and appreciation, as well as cultivate an interest among our students, so they return to these cultural institutions in the future.