Lower School
Welcome to Ross Lower School, a unique and enchanting place.
Lower School
Ross Lower School is an innovative learning community for children in Nursery through Grade 5.
Students arrive each morning brimming with curiosity and enthusiasm. A typical day might include learning Mandarin, building a replica of the Solar System, solving math puzzles, or growing mold spores in the science lab. Every day at Ross is an adventure waiting to happen. The stimulating environment, combined with a warm and supportive community, helps children learn about themselves in deep and meaningful ways.
Ross Students learn, grow, play, and explore in a safe, bucolic environment in Bridgehampton, NY.
We recognize the significance of being outside as often as possible, not just for physical health but also for the positive impact on mental well-being. The natural environment holds a special place in our educational philosophy because it serves as a foundational and nurturing element in our students' lives.
Our instructional approach is tailored to the individual needs of our students, based on the level of support required for them to meet grade-level expectations.
With an individualized approach to each student’s education, Ross School fosters creativity, innovation, intellectual curiosity, problem-solving, and teamwork in students from Early Childhood to Grade 5.
Educating the Whole Child
Ross School believes in educating the whole child for the whole world, and affective skills are an important part of that mission. Weekly classes in life skills teach students how to collaborate, resolve conflicts, respect divergent perspectives and opinions, and contribute to their learning community.
At Ross School, every student learns about and practices our Core Values, ideals that they aspire to as they strive to make the world a better place for themselves and others.
On the ground, these eight principles function in a living way. Our Core Values permeate every aspect of the Ross experience—from curriculum and pedagogy to the design of classrooms, athletic facilities, dining spaces and more.
COMPASSION is understanding another’s distress coupled with the desire to try and alleviate it. Compassion motivates us to help others who may be in physical, mental, or emotional pain.
COOPERATION is understanding that many things—often, the most important things—cannot be accomplished alone. We cooperate to meet our goals, help others meet theirs, and improve the world around us.
COURAGE is required to do the right thing, to do new things, and to do difficult things. We show courage in our work and in our conduct, striving always to do the right thing, even when it is difficult.
GRATITUDE is acknowledging and appreciating all that we have, both at Ross and in the wider world, and remembering that others may not have the same advantages. We feel gratitude for our teachers, our peers, the spaces and beauty around us, and the opportunity to learn and grow.
INTEGRITY is consistency of action, values, and honesty. We strive for integrity in our work and in our behavior. We practice integrity by acting truthfully, empathetically, and with compassion, and by accepting responsibility for our actions.
MINDFULNESS is whole body and mind awareness of the present moment. We practice mindfulness in our work and in how we conduct ourselves in our spaces and with one another. Through mindfulness, we come to better understand ourselves, our world, and our place in it.
RESPECT is the acknowledgment and expression of the intrinsic worth and ability of all other beings. We recognize all people deserve respect and strive to show it in all our relationships and interactions. We show respect in our actions, our words, and how we conduct ourselves.
RESPONSIBILITY is recognizing our role in the larger community and taking ownership of our actions as members of that system. It is the ability to realize and make amends when we have done something wrong, fulfilling our duties, and accepting the consequences of our behavior.
