Mary K. Chapman Primary School
Academic foundations. Intellectual adventures.
In their earliest years, your child is learning how to learn — and the experiences in PreK and Primary School shape their overarching educational trajectory. At Holland Hall, our early learning experts ensure that your child builds the academic foundation — and the foundational relationships with teachers and among peers — they need for the future.
Our Primary School houses PreK through 3rd Grade in unique open-concept classrooms, in which multiple classes within a grade level share separate sections of the same lively space. The sounds of one class’ discussion can be heard in the background of another’s group activity — a layered sensory experience that teaches young minds focus and discipline, preparing them for a world of constantly competing information streams.
The learning environment extends far beyond our airy and welcoming Primary School, to the expansive outdoor classroom of our 162-acre wooded campus, where our students can observe nature, test scientific principles, and make valuable early connections between academic ideas and the world we inhabit.
Meet the Mary K. Chapman Primary School Head, Ms. Vanessa Jones
One of my greatest joys as a classroom teacher was the excitement surrounding the start of each school year. I anticipated the thought of a fresh start. I loved the feeling of starting over year after year. One of the best parts of the school year was getting to know each student and their family. I still consider former students as “my kids” and former family members as part of my extended family. I am not unique. Holland Hall is built on meaningful relationships. The relationships created here are unlike any other. To quote one of my heroes, Mr. Rogers, “the connections we make in the course of life — maybe that is what heaven is.” I couldn’t say it better!
The Mary K. Chapman Primary School has the great honor of being the first stop on the educational journey of our youngest learners. We take pride in creating rich and engaging experiences that expand each child’s thinking and understanding. We aim to foster curiosity and confidence through exposure to new ideas. We seek to grow social and emotional skills through play and collaboration.
The motto of the Primary School is “Friendly, Helpful, Respectful, and Responsible.” These values help serve as our moral compass, driving our interaction with one another, and teaching us to honor each member of our community.
At Holland Hall, the Primary School years are truly wondrous, and our faculty provide our students with every opportunity to make the most of them. Our purposeful curriculum is designed to be developmentally appropriate, highly ambitious, well balanced and joyful! We welcome you to come and experience all the Primary School has to offer.
Ms. Vanessa Jones
Mary K. Chapman Primary School Head
