Lower School

“For children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood,” said Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood. At McDonogh, we understand and appreciate the value of “play” and “work” in the lives of children. With an 800-acre campus beckoning, we take our students outdoors often to experience the joy that both activities bring.

Every Lower School student has at least one scheduled recess period every day. Unless the weather is rainy or severely cold, those recess periods take place outside on two playgrounds, each designed for a specific age range, under the close supervision of teachers.

Yet, our campus is not simply a grand outdoor play space; it is a vibrant and enticing classroom as well. Students embark on stream studies in science, walk the historic areas of campus during social studies, plant pumpkin seeds when visiting Roots Farm, and twirl beneath falling leaves in creative movement classes. Whether running freely at recess or running an experiment in science, McDonogh students learn to love the great outdoors.