The Lower School provides an inspiring atmosphere for learning and growing where the needs of the whole child are addressed. Students thrive in a nurturing and safe environment. As a Holy Cross school, Gilmour provides inclusive surroundings for students of all beliefs and cultures to explore issues of faith and morality.
Students learn to succeed in a personalized and integrated setting, using real-world resources, tools and technologies. Teachers strive to make connections among various subjects by collaborating in grade-level teams. They continually search for and introduce common and natural relationships between disciplines, so that students can learn and remember more and apply their knowledge better.
Academic enrichment opportunities reach beyond classroom learning. Field trips to local places such as Severance Hall and the Inventors Hall of Fame, as well as overnight trips to environmental camps and Williamsburg, broaden students’ global awareness while increasing their understanding. Students study topics in depth and participate in extended learning activities such as the Million Dollar Project.
Learning at the Lower School connects academics with the arts, physical activity and health education for a seamless and well-rounded experience. Students also enjoy exposure to individual and team sports, including ice skating and swimming, using the top-notch facilities located on the Gilmour campus.
Holy Cross values are reinforced through a variety of service projects, from food drives for the Cleveland Food Bank to Pretzels for Ponies that supports therapeutic riding programs for children with disabilities.