Preview PC's Lower School
Considering Penn Charter for your child? Dive in below to read about the learning experience in Lower School, about PC's history and community, and about Quaker education. We welcome you to explore our school.
A program of cognitive and character development rooted in rich knowledge of how young children learn best.
We know that children learn best when ideas are connected. We know that children learn by doing and by working together. So, our curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary, collaborative, hands-on learning. Our students ask questions, think critically, write effectively, listen carefully and put all those pieces together.
Lower School Stories
What's to Come: A New Lower School
The new Lower School will be light-filled, student-centered and curriculum driven.
Our vision for a campus transformation includes an Academic Village with a new lower school designed for our curriculum and teachers, for what research tells us about the way children learn and grow, and to provide our students with the knowledge and skills they will need to thrive in a complex world.
Ready to take the next step?
Discover More @penncharter
Fast Facts
315
Students in Lower School, pre-K through fifth grade.
1689
William Penn founded his school in 1689 to educate citizens for the new world.
16
Average class size in Lower School.
1:1
1:1 laptop program in grades 3-5, supported by a full-time LS technology coordinator.
More Lower School Fast Facts
- LS Student:Teacher Ratio: 7:1
- 38% identify as students of color
- 37% students receive need-based financial aid
- Geographic diversity: LS students hail from 51 ZIP codes across 4 counties and 82% are Philadelphia residents.
- School day hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Early- and After-Care Hours: 7:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., no charge; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., fee-based
- Age requirements: by Sept. 1, child must be age 4 for pre-K, age 5 for kindergarten, and age 6 for first grade in the year of entry.
- Classes offered beyond reading, writing and math: 7 subjects—science, Spanish, music, art, library, technology, physical education—taught by Lower School specialists in Lower School classrooms.
- Transportation: There are many ways to arrive at Penn Charter, including school bus, private bus or shuttle, public bus, train, and car.
- Pre-kindergarten is housed in a church adjacent to campus in a completely renovated, light-filled space with two classrooms, a studio space, a large playroom and outdoor play area. All within steps of the campus.
- Kindergarten through fifth grades are in one building, with neighboring playgrounds and fields. PC will build a new Lower School soon.
Life at Penn Charter
PC Ambassadors Student Blog
Join Emily K. '25 as she takes you through her day in our Upper School.
A lively day of student-led workshops and talent showcase.
Look behind-the-scenes on the student-produced news show.
Students take the lead on every aspect of putting on a performance.
From courts to classrooms, Ashlie shares her favorites.
Students share their favorite aspects of PC
PC Student Ambassador Blog