Most courses meet for five 60-minute periods per seven-day cycle, but some courses meet less often. Winsor’s yearly calendar has two semesters, semester 1 (also called the fall semester) and semester 2 (also called the spring semester).

At every grade level, all Lower School students take English, math, science, history, a language, visual or performing arts, health, physical education, and a STEM course. In Classes I and II, students also take a Library and Media Skills course. In addition, our academic schedule contains a band of community time devoted to homeroom, advisory, Performing Arts Block (PAB), clubs, study halls, assembly, and other community time meetings. 

At the end of the academic year, all Lower School students lead a conference with their parents/guardians and faculty advisor. In line with the school’s commitment to student-centered learning, they share and reflect on their evolving understanding of themselves as learners and members of the Winsor community. 

Lower School students are asked to make some choices each year regarding arts and other electives.

Class I

Entering Class I students will choose a language that they will study for their four years in the Lower School and a Performing Arts Block (PAB) ensemble. In Class I, history, math, English, science, and physical education meet five times per seven-day cycle. Language and arts meet four times per seven-day cycle. All Class I students take a semester of library and media skills that meets once a cycle and a semester of information technology that meets once per rotation. Health meets for the entire year, one time per cycle.

Class II

All Class II students will choose a Performing Arts Block (PAB) ensemble. Class II students are expected to continue with the language they started in Class I, and new students choose one of the four languages offered. In Class II, history, math, English, science, and language meet five times per seven-day cycle. Art meets four times per cycle, and physical education meets three times per cycle. In addition, all Class II students take a coding course that meets two times per cycle for one semester, health that meets two times per cycle for one semester, and library and media skills that meets once per cycle for the year.

Class III

All Class III students will choose an arts elective for each semester and may also elect to continue participation in a Performing Arts Block (PAB) ensemble. Class III students are expected to continue with the language they were studying the prior year. In Class III, history, math, English, science, and language meet five times per seven-day cycle. Students take three quarters of physical education and one quarter of STEM, both of which meet four times per cycle. Health meets once per cycle for the entire year. Additionally, each student has one scheduled study hall per cycle.

Class IV

All Class IV students will choose an arts elective for the first semester and may also elect to continue participation in a Performing Arts Block (PAB) ensemble. Class IV students participate in the Shakespeare Project in place of an arts elective in the spring. Students also choose a STEM “studio.” Class IV students are expected to continue with the language they were studying the prior year. In Class IV, history, math, English, science,and language meet five times per seven-day cycle. Students take three quarters of physical education and one quarter of STEM, both of which meet four times per seven-day cycle. Health meets once per cycle for the entire year. Additionally, each student has one scheduled study hall per cycle.