Lower School at Wheeler
Learning—and learning how to learn—begins in our Lower School. With The Nest Preschool for 2.9 – 5-year-olds, Early Childhood Kindergarten, and an Elementary Education Division for Grades 1-5, Wheeler’s Lower School sparks the joy of learning. With our expert faculty, your child will build reading, math, language, and more skills in a safe, trusting, and fun campus environment. (Please note, Kindergarten applicants must be five (5) years old by August 31.)
Our Goal
Wheeler’s Lower School’s goal is to support your child in developing the academic skills, personal awareness, and emotional resilience necessary to be a successful learner and valued member of the community.
Our Program
Wheeler Lower School offers a creative, joyful learning experience built on an enriched daily program responsive to your child. Our signature Aerie Approach enables every student to discover, explore, and develop personal interests and academic passions that go beyond the curriculum. The experienced teachers in our Lower School are extraordinary, enthusiastic, creative, and deeply invested in your child’s success. As a community, students learn to adapt to and work with the full range of emotions, develop greater self-awareness, and, through reflection, discover and embrace their own evolving identities. Students also learn to cultivate healthy relationships through compassion, inclusion, and valuing multiple perspectives.
Our Community
A defining aspect of Wheeler’s Lower School is its strong sense of community. At weekly Community Meetings, grade levels may perform or exhibit their work as well as listen and learn from each other. In addition, Lower School has a buddy system between older and younger grades to build these community connections. Special events bring all students from Kindergarten-Grade 12 together. Two memorable bookend moments take place each year. At the Opening School Assembly, our Senior Class walks hand in hand with Early Childhood students to the seats of honor. These students create the backdrop while the Head of School presents a Welcome Back to School address. At Field Day each spring, the March of Purples and Golds leads off as Seniors again link hands with our youngest students to walk onto the field at the Wheeler Farm. Field Day is the oldest continuous Wheeler tradition, and our students love it.
Contact the Head of Lower School Kate Hewitt
Lower School Administration
See Our Stories
We are tremendously proud to share that Wheeler is home to one of the world’s robotics leaders!
At last week’s FIRST Championship in Houston – the largest international event each year for youth robotics – Arjun D. ’27 was just one of 10 students from across the globe to receive the FIRST Leadership Award, the competition’s highest individual honor.
“This award is the most meaningful I’ve ever gotten,” Arjun says. “I’ve been doing robotics since 6th grade, and the Robotics Program was an important factor in my decision to come to Wheeler for Upper School.
“When I joined in 9th grade, I was met with support from Mr. Ryder and a tight-knit community of peers trying to learn more about robotics, along with upperclassmen who were guiding us and helping us develop skills.
“Throughout all of this, I was able to help mentor my old robotics team and organize a chess fundraiser event connecting two of the activities I love. In 10th grade, I supported more FLL (FIRST LEGO League) programs, and I began volunteering at local tournaments. In 11th grade I gained the experience to confidently help out other FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) robotics teams as the “technical mentorship lead,” organizing mentorship opportunities for 23 teams or supporting them hands on.”
Arjun says he is incredibly proud that he and his Wheeler teammates have helped expand the support for and love of robotics across Rhode Island. He also wants to send “A HUGE thank you to Mr. Ryder for supporting the entire Robotics Program, and to all of the upperclassmen who have helped support me these past three years – but especially Luyao L. ’26 and Sabrina G. ’26, who I’ve had the pleasure of being on a team with since my freshman year.”
As you may remember from one of our previous posts, Arjun will be back on the global stage later this month when he represents Rhode Island at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix. He says he was able to apply many of the same skills he learned in robotics to the project that he will present at ISEF.
Please join us in congratulating Arjun on the Leadership Award, and in wishing him luck at ISEF! @electricquahogs252
May 3
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 on completing their last day of classes! When the clock hit 3:10pm, the bottles of seltzer came out for one of our favorite Wheeler traditions: the Senior Countdown. There are still AP tests, Senior Free Inquiry Projects, and Commencement to come, but today was a big milestone, with plenty of cheers and tears, for our seniors, and we were happy to be there to record it – from a dry distance! 💦💛💜
May 1
Yesterday, families, friends, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate Andy K. ’26 and Peter K. ’26 as they signed their NCAA Division III Letters of Commitment to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Andy will play lacrosse at the University of New England, and Peter will play squash at Vassar College.
During the ceremony, Director of Athletics Sean Kelly ’02, P’35, P’37 reflected on each student’s accomplishments both on and off the field.
“From the beginning of his squash journey at Wheeler, what stood out about Peter wasn’t just talent — it was his willingness to put in the work when no one else was watching,” he shared. “That progression says everything about his mindset: never satisfied, always pushing forward. He’s not just a stronger athlete today — he’s a stronger leader, teammate, and person.”
Mr. Kelly also noted Peter’s deep commitment to his team, recalling a moment when he turned down Celtics tickets to be at a Wheeler event — an example, he said, of the kind of teammate and leader he has become.
Reflecting on his athletic journey, Peter said, “Wheeler pushed me and enabled students like myself to pursue the things they love… or, in other words, ‘learn our powers.’ I’m happy that I was able to fulfill the school’s mission in my own way.”
Turning to Andy, Mr. Kelly said, “His journey has been defined by hard work, versatility, and a genuine love of competition. He’s the kind of player who makes those around him better. Excelling in multiple sports takes time, discipline, and a willingness to embrace challenges and he’s done that every step of the way.
“The University of New England is getting a terrific addition to their program — someone who understands teamwork, competes with integrity, and brings energy to everything he does,” noted Mr. Kelly.
For Andy, it was especially meaningful to see his parents, grandparents, and friends in the audience as he was preparing to sign his letter. “I’m grateful to be able to play lacrosse in college,” he said. “Once I found the sport I performed best in, I worked as hard as possible to reach this level.”
Congratulations to Andy, Peter, and their families on this exciting milestone!🎊
May 1
Thanks to our Technology team for capturing this time-lapse of the Famous Wheeler Clothing Sale — from set-up to take-down over ten incredible days! We’re still basking in the outpouring of love and support from our Wheeler and local communities. 💝
🎉We want to give a special shoutout to our 170+ volunteers, whose dedication made this annual event not just possible, but a spectacular success once again! 💜🥳💛
May 1
