City & Country School, founded in 1914, is dedicated to the belief that the desire to learn is one of the strongest of all human drives and that the most important responsibility of educators is to nurture this drive in every constructive way. Implicit in this is a fundamental respect for children and their different styles of learning. The Lower School at City & Country provides a firm grounding in the skills needed for life-long learning and participation in a larger community. Active participation and work with carefully chosen materials such as blocks, paint, clay, wood and water encourage children to ask questions and find answers about their world, each other and themselves. Small and whole group math, reading and writing activities support, stretch and teach these emergent skills in a relevant and meaningful manner. In the VIIIs (3rd grade) through XIIIs (8th grade), C&C’s history-based curriculum emphasizes depth and research skills. The process of learning through firsthand experience is the focus of the program. Each class of students develops a sense of responsibility and cooperation through a group job. Integrated with the history-based core curriculum are Specials classes, Art, Computer, Library, Music, Rhythms, Science, Woodshop, Orchestra and Spanish, which complement the core study as children are able to integrate their scientific and artistic experiences with their reading of literature and history. Students graduate from City & County School with a zeal for learning and an ability to problem solve in any situation. C&C graduates have a strong sense of self and a healthy respect for others and their community. Students are accepted to a wide range of public and private schools, both boarding and day, and the majority go to their high school of choice.