Discover. Grow.
BE KNOWN. LO W ER SCHOOL
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LETTER FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
Welcome to Agnes Irwin! At The Agnes Irwin Lower School, we know how girls learn, play, and grow. For over 150 years, we’ve created a “home away from home” where the joy of childhood and the spark of discovery come together. Here, every girl is known, celebrated for her unique spirit, and encouraged to stretch as a student. The magic of our classrooms — from handson science experiments to our favorite school traditions — is backed by the research of our Center for the Advancement of Girls. We understand that leadership starts with a raised hand and a brave spirit of inquiry. Because every leading role in our plays, every captain of a classroom game, and every speaker in our assemblies is a girl, our students grow up believing there is nothing they can’t do.
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Whether they are coding their first robot, painting a masterpiece, or learning the value of kindness on the playground, our students are building a foundation of self-reliance. As Head of School, I see firsthand the magic that happens when the joy of community meets an unmatched academic environment. Thank you for imagining your daughter’s first school years with us. At Agnes Irwin, she won’t just go to school — she will learn, lead, and live a legacy.
Sally Keidel SALLY KEIDEL Head of School
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Teachers who support her. Friends who care about her. Lessons that will inspire her.
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Our values, our mission.
We’ve been helping girls become themselves at Agnes Irwin since 1869. And after more than 150 years, we’re still guided by the same mission, never wavering in our commitment to fostering girls’ future successes and curiosity about the world around them.
THE COMPASS TO GUIDE HER. M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T
Nurture Passions and Well-Being
At Agnes Irwin, our mission is to empower each girl to learn, to lead, and to live a legacy.
We nurture a love of learning and academic success by cultivating our individual passions and the pursuit of our own unique paths, supporting the whole person in wellness and well-being.
C O R E VA L U E S
Lead with Character
Foster Trust and Community
We are courageous leaders who model empathy and compassion. We embody honesty, kindness, and personal integrity in all that we say and do.
We build trust through openness and understanding, fostering supportive relationships, deep connections, safe risk-taking and the space to be our authentic selves.
Strive for Excellence
Respect and Celebrate All
We encourage and support each other to tenaciously strive to be our best as we demonstrate resilience and champion greatness in all our pursuits.
We treat everyone with dignity and respect, welcoming differences in backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. We foster an inclusive environment where diverse voices are uplifted, contributions are celebrated, and community is cherished.
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WHO WE KNOW SHE WILL BECOME. PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE
In a rapidly and ever changing world, an education that ensures versatile lifelong skills is more important than ever. Every aspect of an Agnes Irwin education is designed to create seven essential outcomes for our students, helping them thrive in whatever endeavors they pursue after graduation — however the world may look. Intellectually Curious
Balanced
Globally and Community-Minded
Collaborative
They find joy in learning; make choices that support physical, mental, and emotional health; and develop selfawareness.
They think critically, ask meaningful questions, and wrestle with complex ideas and information.
They build strong interpersonal relationships, gather and empower others to work toward shared goals, and give and accept feedback in order to learn.
They make ethical decisions, act out of empathy and care for others, and seek out and learn from perspectives different from their own.
Self-Directed
Creative
They reflect on how and why they learn, set and pursue goals, and seek help and support.
They take risks, adapt to and learn from failure and challenges, and use knowledge to imagine new possibilities and address novel problems.
Brave
They communicate clearly and confidently, challenge assumptions, and advocate for themselves and others.
PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE
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LEADERSHIP IS IN OUR DNA. Whether it’s in assemblies, in classroom programming, or in identified opportunities in every academic endeavor, our students embrace the language of leadership in their daily interactions. Leadership lies within all of our girls — even the youngest. And if they’re given the opportunity to exercise those skills and the choice to develop those traits in every aspect of their daily routine, we know that every student will leave our Lower School a leader, and only become stronger in our Middle and Upper School programs.
Leadership in Action Our Leadership Toolkit is a hands-on framework embedded in daily learning that makes leadership concrete for young students. It defines leadership attributes like responsibility, communication, and resilience by offering activities to help students practice those traits in real situations. Students see themselves as leaders early and consistently apply those behaviors. And this focus on leadership goes beyond the classroom. As leaders of our Lower School, our 4th grade students practice their skills through ample and diverse responsibilities: • • • • •
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Delivering morning announcements Helping the car-line greeters Raising the flag each morning Assisting with PK/K lunch Maintaining our dining room compost
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WHERE SHE CAN BE ANYTHING. THE CENTER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF GIRLS
At Agnes Irwin, we create an education where girls are known — and this is possible because of the Center for the Advancement of Girls, the only school-based research and advocacy hub of its kind. The Center is at the heart of all our efforts, allowing us to anchor our every practice in the most current research in girls’ education, and to establish an environment where every girl is ready to lead, succeed, and embrace her limitless potential. Here are just a few of our Center’s benefits: Lower School •
Six girl-centered principles that shape every classroom experience.
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Faculty trained in the science of how girls learn best.
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Research-based decisions designed specifically for girls’ success.
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The Leadership Fair, a celebration of learning where Lower School students participate in activities run by Upper School girls focused around the Leadership Toolkit traits.
IMPACT
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Middle/Upper School •
A signature Upper School leadership experience that builds confident change-makers.
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A powerful mentorship network that connects girls with alumnae, professionals, and role models at every stage.
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An exclusive Morgan Stanley partnership that delivers real-world financial literacy and access to women leaders in finance.
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A foundation for the rest of her life. Each year, girls build the confidence to lead, the curiosity to evolve, and the relationships that support. And as your daughter progresses into Middle and Upper Schools, she experiences a fullcircle educational journey designed to help her grow into her strongest, most authentic self.
Middle School
Upper School
Alumna
“Lower School experiences prepared me for Middle School by teaching me to be organized, helping me to build strong academic skills, and giving me confidence to be a leader. Lower School has also taught me to be independent and caring, which has helped me to be a respectful Middle Schooler.”
“I started at AIS in Kindergarten, so this is my 13th year here. Of all the reasons I’ve chosen to stay at AIS each year, the most important is the people. More specifically, it’s the teachers who are there for you every step of the way and will support you with anything, far beyond just homework help.”
Colette Wong 5th Grader
Lane Howard University of Virginia Jefferson Scholar
“Investing in a girl’s Lower School education at Agnes Irwin creates the most important foundation for lifelong learning and selfconfidence. Those early years go far beyond teaching the basics — Agnes Irwin braids courage, resilience, and voice into your daughter’s very core. She will carry these strengths through every stage of her education.”
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Catherine Jarman ’98 Board Member Parent ’29 & ’31 THE AGNES IRWIN SCHOOL
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LET’S GET TO KNOW HER CAMPUS. Kirk’s Run Outdoor Classroom A natural, creekside learning space where students explore, discover, and connect with the environment firsthand.
Library A welcoming center for reading and research that nurtures a lifelong love of stories and independent learning.
CAMPUS
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A Place to Call Home Generations of students have found a home in our historic building, a testament to our belief that school is a place for both education and belonging.
iWonder STEAM Lab A dynamic hub for hands-on innovation where curiosity drives design thinking and creative problem-solving.
Laura Thomas Buck ’49 Pavilion (Lower School Gymnasium) A dedicated Lower School space where students build strength, teamwork, and confidence through movement and play.
Vibrant ChildCentered Spaces Our hallways are more than just transitions between classes — they are designed to spark curiosity, celebrate community, and make every student feel right at home.
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The challenge and support to
PREPARE HER FOR EVERYTHING.
An Agnes Irwin education means being known — and pushed to grow. In Lower School, your daughter is challenged within a dynamic community of joyful peers and dedicated, caring faculty in a nurturing environment.
PreK and Kindergarten
Grades 1–4
At The Agnes Irwin School, play is vital to our PreK and Kindergarten experience. In our all-girls environment, we nurture confidence, curiosity, and collaboration from day one. Research confirms that purposeful, interactive play fuels cognitive development, social-emotional growth, and long-term academic success.
Each year of the Lower School experience is anchored by immersive, cross-disciplinary learning that brings big ideas to life. From exploring the science of skin color in 1st grade to examining the complexities of the Revolutionary War in 4th grade, students connect disciplines through project-based learning and design thinking. They research, question, and present — building strong literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while learning how knowledge is formed and applied.
Here, students engage in a strong academic foundation, guided by expert teachers who observe, question, and challenge with intention. Through early literacy, numeracy, and inquirybased learning, girls build essential skills, develop focus and persistence, and begin to take pride in tackling new challenges. Just as importantly, they cultivate an enthusiasm for learning — the confidence to ask questions, the resilience to try again, and the drive to go further. This is where intellectual curiosity takes root and begins to grow.
EDUCATION
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That same spirit of inquiry extends beyond the classroom through experiences like our annual Women in STEAM Conference. By engaging with mentors across science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, students see their learning in action and expand their sense of what’s possible — strengthening skills, sparking new interests, and inspiring them to take on challenges with confidence. 12
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ALUMNA STORY
Emily Zachary 2008 Alumna | Kindergarten Teacher | Parent Emily Zachary ‘08 wouldn’t change a thing about being an Agnes Irwin alumna, a kindergarten teacher, and most recently, the parent of a student in the class of ‘39. “The experience of an all-girls education is unparalleled,” she says. “What we offer girls, how we teach them specifically, the combination of structure and warmth, the leadership opportunities — all this really sets us apart.” Choosing to return as a teacher in 2019 after spending her Upper School years at AIS felt like coming home: “I love the life I’ve built, and it’s such a testament to Agnes Irwin. Agnes Irwin gave me the space to be me, and that’s what I want to give to my students.”
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“Agnes Irwin gave me the space to be me, and that’s what I want to give to my students.”
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The experiences for her to
BE CONFIDENT AND CURIOUS.
We believe the best learning happens by doing. Our experiential learning labs and signature programs are based in research and full of opportunities for hands-on learning. By exciting and engaging students, we help them build critical skills and a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and purpose. Signature Programs • Kindergarten Invention Convention • First Grade Author’s Tea • Second Grade Thanksgiving Balloon Parade • Third Grade Interdisciplinary Research Project • Fourth Grade Design Thinking
Specials • • • •
Music Art Physical Education Spanish
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Library Let’s Care iWonder Lab Science
After Session and Extra Sessions Our After Session offers an extended day from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on all school days, providing students with homework time, enrichment activities, free play, and a snack. Our Extra Sessions add even more opportunities to learn a new skill, to exercise, or to discover creativity in experiences like My First Lemonade Stand. EXPERIENCE
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A community where
SHE’LL BE ACCEPTED AND CELEBRATED.
At Agnes Irwin, we believe deeply that students should feel seen and have pride in belonging. We’ve been educating girls, sparking lifelong passions and enduring friendships, for more than 150 years. And with our dedicated faculty and thoughtful throughlines of leadership and academic challenges, we’re only getting better each year.
Social-Emotional Learning Through a wellness-focused approach that emphasizes relationship building and emotional harmony, we build every girl’s resilience, confidence, and self-awareness, helping her grow as a human being. Grounded in both research and years of practice, this work is brought to life through programs like Let’s Care, which fosters community, compassion, coping skills, and strong character.
Peer Active Listening Support Program Our Upper School PALS provide friendship and support to their Lower School peers to help build relationships, confidence, and self-esteem. Through learning to listen well and build strong connections, our students become poised to succeed in any future endeavor.
Weekly Assemblies As powerful times of unity and shared purpose, assemblies bring students together across grades. Younger students look up to older peers, while older students step into leadership as role models. Through stories, presentations, and discussions, students build empathy, explore new perspectives, and grow in confidence as speakers.
COMMUNITY
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A Story for Everyone Each month, our Lower School Director visits every classroom for a shared reading experience, selecting books that reflect our core values and leadership traits. It’s a meaningful, much-anticipated moment that strengthens connection across grades while encouraging reflection, discussion, and a deeper understanding of character.
A Table for Everyone Students gather for monthly lunches with members of the Lower School faculty and staff, along with special family-style celebrations throughout the year. These shared meals build community, spark conversation, and foster a sense of responsibility for shared spaces — reinforcing teamwork and joyful connection around the table.
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THE AGNES IRWIN SCHOOL
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The Agnes Irwin School knows girls. AND WE’RE READY TO KNOW YOUR DAUGHTER. When your child comes to Agnes Irwin, she gets to know who she is, and all that she’s capable of — backed by a transformative education and a community of girls that’s as resilient as she is. Our Lower School education is the foundation that empowers our graduates to go forth and build their dreams with confidence. Every day, the girls of Agnes Irwin are poised to eagerly rise to any challenge, to opt for the uplifting power of collaboration, and to choose what they love — exceeding their own expectations in the process. Because when they simultaneously nurture their well-being and stimulate their intellect, Agnes Irwin girls flourish with confidence to change the world. Full of joy. Full of potential. Fully known.
Feel like you know us yet? We’d love the chance to get to know you. 275 South Ithan Avenue | Rosemont, PA 19010 610-801-1869 | admission@agnesirwin.org agnesirwin.org 18
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WHAT WILL SHE BE
known for?
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