Lower School (JK-4) - JK-12 Private School in Huntersville, NC

At SouthLake Christian Academy, the journey of academic and spiritual growth begins in our Lower School. Serving students from Junior Kindergarten through 4th grade, our program builds a strong, Christ-centered foundation that nurtures both the heart and the mind.

Our Lower School program is where the foundation for lifelong learning begins. We offer a rigorous curriculum while nurturing our students to reach his or her full potential. Our mission is to partner with parents to equip students to think, learn, and live from a Biblical worldview by integrating God's word into every aspect of life so they can impact the world for Christ.

A Christ-Centered Foundation for Lifelong Learning

SouthLake Christian Academy’s JK–4 program provides a Christ-centered foundation in a warm, nurturing environment where young learners grow academically, spiritually, and socially. Through age-appropriate instruction, hands-on learning, and strong home–school partnership, students build essential skills in literacy, math, and problem-solving while developing a love for God and a joy for learning.

Lower School chapels are held weekly on Wednesday mornings, bringing our JK–4th grade students together for a time of worship and spiritual growth. All classes attend chapel and take turns leading pledges, prayer, and songs of praise. Each week, a staff member shares a brief message connected to the year’s spiritual theme, with speakers including other SouthLake faculty and administrators, local pastors, community leaders, and missionaries.

The SouthLake Christian Difference

After School Care

At our After-School program, students are under the supervision of experienced staff members, both part-time and full-time, who are committed to offering a safe, nurturing, and enjoyable environment in a cozy setting. We provide nutritious snacks for all students in our care, as well as a dedicated time for homework. Our After-School program operates during the school academic year and does not run during scheduled school breaks such as Teacher Workdays, Fall Break, Christmas Break, Easter Break, and others.

We will share full details about our 2026–27 program soon - stay tuned.

Arrival/Dismissal Information

Attendance Policy

Chapel

Dress Code

Medications

Technology Guidelines

Testing

Grade Levels

JK

Student-Teacher Ratio

Field Trips

Curriculum

Sample Schedule

Signature Experiences

Kindergarten

Student-Teacher Ratio

Kindergarten at SouthLake builds on the strong start of Junior Kindergarten with a caring, structured learning environment. Each class is targeted for 18 students and is led by a certified teacher with a dedicated teaching assistant, creating a low student-to-adult ratio that supports small-group instruction, early literacy and math foundations, and plenty of time for play-based, hands-on learning.

Field Trips

Curriculum

Sample Schedule

Signature Experiences

Grades 1-2

Student-Teacher Ratio

In grades 1–2, students benefit from small classes intentionally targeted at 18 students per section. Each classroom is led by a certified teacher with a dedicated teaching assistant, providing a low student-to-adult ratio that supports differentiated instruction, strong reading and math development, and attentive care for every child’s academic and social-emotional growth.

Field Trips

Curriculum

Sample Schedule

Signature Experiences

Grades 3-4

Student-Teacher Ratio

Field Trips

Curriculum

Sample Schedule

Signature Experiences

Specials

Arts

Art education at SouthLake encourages creativity and self-expression through various artistic mediums. Our art program includes:

Creative Expression: Opportunities for students to explore their creativity through drawing, painting, sculpture, and more.
Artistic Techniques: Instruction in basic art techniques and principles.
Art Appreciation: Learning about famous artists and different art styles.

Library

Our Library program is designed to foster a love of reading and support literacy development. Key features include:

Reading Enrichment: Access to a wide variety of books that cater to different interests and reading levels.
Research Skills: Teaching students how to find and use information effectively.
Story time and Activities: Engaging storytelling sessions and library activities make reading fun.

Music

Music education at SouthLake allows students to explore their musical talents and develop an appreciation for the arts. Our music program features:

Musical Foundations: Introduction to basic music theory, rhythm, and melody.
Instrument Exploration: Opportunities for students to experience playing different instruments.
Performance Opportunities: School concerts and performances that build confidence and showcase student talent.

PE

Physical Education is a vital part of our curriculum, promoting physical health and wellbeing. Our PE program includes:

Active Lifestyle: Encouraging students to develop healthy habits through regular physical activity.
Skill Development: Teaching fundamental motor skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Fun and Fitness: Engaging activities and games that make fitness enjoyable and accessible.

STEM

Students come to the lab once each week and participate in activities related to three main categories: the Engineering Design Process, coding and robotics, and LEGO Education kits.

The Engineering Design Process teaches the students to identify problems and work collaboratively to design and build a possible solution to that problem.
The students use iPads, Dash and Dot robots, as well as a variety of websites to develop coding and robotics skills.
With the LEGO Education kits, students progress through different kits to build their skills. Younger students use kits with DUPLO bricks and explore forces and motion. Older students transition to the regular LEGO bricks, using the Spike Essentials kits that connect to the iPads.

Testing

At SouthLake Christian Academy, we are committed to understanding each student as a learner and using meaningful data to guide instruction. NWEA MAP Benchmarking is a distinctive of our school, and we want you to be informed about its benefits to our K-8 students.

NWEA MAP (Northwest Evaluation Association/Measures of Academic Progress) is a research-based, adaptive benchmarking assessment that is administered three times each school year. K-8th Students are assessed in Reading and Math, and 2nd-8th students are also assessed in Language Skills.

What makes MAP unique is that it is adaptive. The test adjusts in real time based on student responses, becoming more challenging, or providing support as needed. This allows us to identify a student’s current level of understanding more accurately than a traditional grade-level test.

Because MAP is given multiple times a year, it measures growth over time, not just performance on a single day. Rather than offering one snapshot, MAP helps teachers see progress from fall to winter to spring. The results guide our teachers in instruction and interventions. MAP results are not used as grades. Instead, they serve as a tool to personalize learning.

The MAP data supports students in a variety of ways.

One-on-one instruction
Small-group support
Adjustments to whole-group teaching when patterns show the need

Our goal is always to meet students where they are and help them continue moving forward.

Last school year, SouthLake made the intentional decision to move away from a once-a-year standardized test and replace it with this ongoing, growth-focused benchmarking model. This year, we took that work even further in 5th–8th grade with the launch of IXL, an engaging reading and math digital learning platform. IXL directly connects with NWEA MAP data and allows us to create customized learning plans based on each student’s assessment results. Through interactive practice and immediate feedback, students can strengthen specific skills or stretch themselves with advanced challenges at their own pace.

We are excited to share that in the 2026–27 school year, we will expand IXL opportunities to include 3rd and 4th grade, further strengthening our ability to support students during these important academic years.

Benchmarking three times a year is a standout practice, and it reflects the thoughtful academic work happening across SouthLake classrooms. Our teachers are doing exceptional work using this data, we are seeing strong growth across the board, and we are incredibly proud of our students. Thank you for partnering with us and for supporting the intentional academic work happening at SouthLake.

Field Trips

JK/K - Students take day trips throughout the year such as Pumpkin patch, Catawba Science Center, Discovery Place Kids, and Rescue Ranch.

Grades 1-2: Student take day trips throughout the year such as Lazy 5 Ranch, Riverbanks Zoo, Children’s Theater, and Lineberger’s Farm.

Grades 3-4: Students take day trips throughout the year which includes Children’s Theater, Raleigh (grade 4) and Raptor Center (grade 3).

FAQs

What about before and after school care?

What is your student to teacher ratio?

What curriculum do you use?

ELA - We offer a robust literacy curriculum that establishes a strong foundation from early school years through higher grades, ensuring a cohesive educational path. Our approach integrates a progressive, research-backed curriculum tailored to each grade level's developmental needs.

Little Minds at Work for Literacy (JK): The Junior Kindergarten Literacy Program from Tara West, Little Minds at Work, builds a strong foundation in early literacy. It focuses on phonemic awareness, letter recognition, vocabulary development, and early reading skills through engaging activities and interactive lessons.

Wilson Fundations (JK-2): Wilson Foundations is our chosen program for phonemic awareness and early literacy skills for Junior Kindergarten through 2nd grade.

Into Reading (K-4): Our comprehensive literacy and grammar program, Into Reading, equips students with essential tools for literacy development and grammar extension by:

Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) (2-4): We incorporate the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) program, which focuses on developing strong writing skills.

Math/Science/Social Studies - The JK Math Program from Tara West, Little Minds at Work, builds foundational math skills. It covers number recognition, counting, basic addition and subtraction, and shapes through fun, hands-on activities. The program engages diverse learning styles, fostering a love for math and preparing children for future success. Big Ideas Math is a comprehensive and engaging math program that aligns with our goal to create students who are confident and capable in mathematics.

Mystery Science is an engaging and interactive science program that captivates young learners through inquiry-based learning and hands-on activities.

Understanding the importance of a well-rounded education that includes a strong foundation in social studies. To this end, we use Social Studies Weekly for our K-4 students. This dynamic program engages young learners with captivating content and interactive learning experiences.

Bible - Our lower school students benefit from the Deep Roots curriculum, complementing our weekly chapel services. This program enhances their understanding of spiritual lessons, laying a strong foundation in Biblical knowledge and Christian character for a lifetime of faith and service. In addition to Deep Roots, we also use The Gospel Project chapel curriculum, further enriching their spiritual education and fostering a deeper connection with Biblical teachings.

What about Specials?

What is your discipline?

SouthLake Christian Academy seeks to embody the fullness of discipline through counsel, encouragement, teaching, and correction. The faculty desires a relationship with students that encourages redemption and reconciliation, illustrated by the gospel of Jesus Christ. SouthLake’s core values of joy, kindness, integrity, and respect are integrated into our discipline policies as desired outcomes and expectations.

Do you have a cafeteria?

Do you have a parent organization?

What is the dress code? Do students wear uniforms?

School faculty and administration reserve the right to determine the appropriateness of items worn to school. School administration is the final authority in making fair and consistent determinations about clothing standards, including decisions regarding clothing, makeup, hair, jewelry, and other accessories that may cause distractions in the learning environment.
Student dress should always be neat in appearance. All articles of clothing should be worn appropriately and in accordance with uniform guidelines corresponding with one's birth gender.
Undergarments should not be visible.
Particular attention should be given to ensuring the appropriate fit, size, and length of all items.
Students should avoid wearing outdated uniform items or those that are excessively worn or faded. Clothing with rips, tears, and/or holes is not allowed.
Friday is “Spirit Dress” day. Students may wear any SouthLake polo or SouthLake t-shirt with appropriate jeans or school uniform shorts or pants.
Shoes must be appropriate for school activities. Birkenstocks, UGG Tasmans, flip-flops, Crocs, athletic slides, shoes with lights or wheels, shoes without backs, and house slippers are not permitted.
Students are not allowed to wear sunglasses, hats (including hoods), or other kinds of headwear while inside school buildings.
Only SLCA-affiliated outerwear may be worn inside school buildings at any time of year.
No writing should be visible on any shirt worn under a school polo.
Heavy winter jackets and outerwear not SouthLake-affiliated should be kept inside a school locker during the day. Students may retrieve and wear these jackets only when they are outside the school buildings.

Schedule Overview

JK/Kindergarten

Grades 1-2

Grades 3-4

Curriculum Guide

Lower School

Quick Facts

JK/Kindergarten

Grades 1-2

Grades 3-4

Welcome To Lower School

Our Lower School serves students in grades JK-4. SouthLake Christian Academy (SLCA) introduce curious and creative young minds to active learning. Experienced teachers nurture a safe, joyous learning environment where students make discoveries about themselves, their friends, and the world around them.

CHAPEL

Students participate in weekly chapels. There is a session for Junior Kindergarten through 2nd grade students and another session for 3rd through 6th grade students, which allows the Biblical principles to be taught in an age-appropriate way. The Gospel Project is our guiding curriculum, and students take a four year cycle through the entire Bible, focusing on the over-arching story of God’s plan for us in the Bible.

SPECIALS

Students participate in one 30-45 minute class each day. They rotate through five different specials classes: PE, Art, Library, Music, and STEM. These classes allow students to explore their interests and talents as well as build problem solving and critical thinking skills in a fun way.

TECHNOLOGY

First through fourth grade students have a 30 minute technology enrichment time once a week. Skills build each year as students develop skills in navigating a laptop computer. They also learn to use Google Classroom and some of the Google Suite programs (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.)

BIBLE

Our classes use the Deep Roots Bible program to guide instruction. This curriculum guides students to view all of life through a Biblical perspective and teaches them to apply their faith to their everyday life.

MATH

We have adopted the Big Ideas Math program for our students. This program builds a foundation of number sense and problem solving skills that allow students to develop a deep understanding of mathematical principles.

READING

The Into Reading curriculum guides instruction for our students. Students build a love of reading through a variety of text topics and genres. They gain knowledge of different topics and vocabulary and learn many comprehension strategies through whole group and small group instruction.

WRITING

Our students use the Institute for Excellence in Writing (or IEW) program for writing instruction. They learn to summarize information as well as a variety of “dress-ups” to improve their writing skills.

SCIENCE

The lower school utilizes the Mystery Science program, which challenges students to use their natural curiosity to think critically about the world around them. Topics are taught through lesson videos and reinforced with hands-on experiments and activities.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Our classrooms teach social studies topics through a variety of thematic units. Some of the topics covered over the years include communities, early American history, map skills, government, and regions of the United States.

Our goal is to offer class sizes that maximize student success. Our elementary classes are limited to approximately 18 students, often with a teacher and full-time assistant. Our upper school grade levels have 50-60 students each, with an average class size of 18. The average size of upper school math classes is 12. Our upper school honors and AP classes have as few as 7 students. Smaller class sizes enable our talented instructors to provide individual attention and to encourage students to perform at their highest level.