New Lower School

It's Here! Watch the Video

About the Richard A. Balderston OPC '69 Lower School

With $135 million in gifts from generous parents and caregivers, faculty and staff, OPCs and many other friends, our community’s commitment to a vibrant Penn Charter has taken us far. How Far? We have now reached another milestone. The new Richard A. Balderston OPC '69 Lower School opened in fall 2025. That’s How Far!

Penn Charter's new Lower School reshapes learning for our youngest learners and unites pre-K to 12 students in a vibrant academic community. The school is designed to reflect PC's curriculum and what research tells us about the way children learn and grow. Through the school's ample learning and playing spaces, students are provided with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a complex world.

Visit Our New Lower School!Lower School Tours for Prospective Families
Tours for prospective families are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Select the grade level you're interested in to schedule a tour.

Lower School with emphasis on early childhood (PK-1)
Lower School with emphasis on g rades 2-3
Lower School with emphasis on grades 4-5

Highlights of the New Lower School

80,000-square feet of interior space for pre-K to 5 students
Outdoor learning and community spaces
All first floor classrooms have classroom access to outdoor playgrounds
Outdoor classrooms on second-floor rooftops
A library with more than 2,500 square feet of working space along with a glass classroom, an outside patio, and a reading nook
A "Friendship Hall" outside the library to offer a flexible space for student activities, displays of student work, parent/caregiver gatherings, and more
A health suite with ample space for student care and a dedicated bathroom
A "Discovery Room" for students to engage in active indoor play and projects
An "Activities Room" that includes a stage for performances and more, a large drop down screen and projector for assembly activities, and technology for classroom activities
An Idea Lab
And more!

A Fond Farewell

Fall 2025

Summer 2025

Spring 2025

Aerial View (May 2024)

Renderings

Summer and Fall 2023

Groundbreaking Celebration

Questions

Questions to learn more about how you can support the new Lower School by contacting Chris Rahill, director of development.

If you have questions about the new Lower School, please get in touch with Kaila Mu'min, associate director of Lower School Admissions.