North Cross School
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The Lower School · Pre-Kindergarten–Grade 5

Housed mainly in our original building, Ellis Hall, which is named for our first teacher, Margaret “Billie” Northcross Ellis, children in the Lower School are encouraged to explore and revel in their own talents, even as they are made increasingly aware of their relationship and responsibility to their peers, their teachers, and their families. To that end, faculty in the Lower School work closely with parents to set appropriate and reasonable expectations and to provide support that fosters excellence, achievement and, at each step—from age 3 through fifth grade—the confidence needed to succeed. ​

​The Junior Kindergarten through Kindergarten classes include a modified Montessori
 curriculum designed to progress through four levels: Junior Kindergarten (JK3, JK4, JK5) and Kindergarten. The program first develops language, math, social and emotional readiness skills in a nurturing, half-day setting, while in the second year, students begin to develop handwriting, letter recognition and seat work while incorporating literature, dramatic play, arts and crafts, cooking activities, and hands-on science experiments.

​All students in Junior Kindergarten programs through fifth grade have daily Spanish and P.E., and they rotate through “specials” including Art, Library, and Music during the week. Once in grade school, a more structured curriculum begins to take form in which students' language and math abilities are challenged and developed. For those students who need specialized instruction due to a diagnosed learning disability, the CrossWalk Program is an on-campus, "school within a school" where students meet with specially trained Orton-Gillingham instructors during the school day for remediation instruction. The Singapore Math curriculum focuses on teaching students to visualize quantities and to 'see' numbers as moveable parts within an equation.
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Victor Lamas
Lower School Division Director Victor Lamas
vlamas@northcross.org
Assistant Head of School for Academics
Washington and Lee University—B.A.
University of Virginia—M.A.

​Appointed 1998
​Morris Award 2014

Recipient of The Roanoker's “Most Inspiring Teacher” Platinum Award (2016, 2017, 2018) and "Best Educator" Platinum Award (2019, 2020, 2021)
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For a complete listing of the courses for each grade, download our Program of Study.
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What is Singapore Math?
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Students work in small groups, organized by skill level, in which they rotate through stations of reading, writing and word recognition. As students progress through the fourth and fifth grades, their classes take them beyond their “home room” to specialize study in science, math and social studies, introducing them to what life will look like in Middle School. For specialized information on different levels in the Lower School, click the links below.
EARLY CHILDHOOD/KINDERGARTEN
1st – 3rd GRADES
4th & 5th GRADES
CrossWalk for Learning Differences
After-School Enrichment
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  • North Cross offers an after-school enrichment program called Opening Doors for students from Junior Kindergarten through fifth grade. Classes are offered all three trimesters, meet different days once per week, and include: Gymnastics, Soccer, Bricks4Kidz, and Dance. Cost for each class varies but each costs around $100 per trimester. Course offerings are emailed to eligible parents each trimester.
  • For those families who need care after the school day ends, the Lower School also offers Extended Day options until 6:00pm each day. Download details and a price guide. 
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4254 Colonial Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
540-989-6641 • (540) 989-7299 (FAX)

HOURS: M-F; 8AM-4PM

North Cross School is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school founded in 1944 and governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees.

All contact information listed on this website is for official North Cross School business only. North Cross School does not accept unsolicited advertisements sent to school email addresses, phone numbers, or fax numbers listed on this site.

North Cross School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status in the administration of its educational, admission, financial aid or employment policies, or any other programs administered by the School. For more information, read our Inclusivity Statement.

​Accreditation
North Cross is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. North Cross School's Junior Kindergarten is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools who is recognized by the Board of Education pursuant to §22.1-19 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the Virginia Council for Private Education to accredit private nursery, preschool, elementary and secondary schools in Virginia
.

Memberships
North Cross is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, National Association for College Admission Counseling, and Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling, The Cum Laude Society and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

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Privacy Policy
Faculty and Staff Links
North Cross Shanghai
Employment Opportunities
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Vision & Values
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Building Character
    • Board of Trustees
    • Our Head of School: Armistead Lemon '95
    • Leadership Team
    • Key Contacts
    • Campus Map
    • In the News
    • NOW@NORTHCROSS
    • Employment Opportunities
  • ACADEMICS/STUDENT LIFE
    • Lower School >
      • Early Childhood Program
      • First through Third Grades
      • Fourth and Fifth Grades
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • Middle School >
      • Sixth through Eighth Grades
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • Upper School >
      • Ninth through Twelfth Grades >
        • Global Studies Distinction
        • STEM Distinction
        • Fine Arts Distinction
        • Internship Program
      • Course Catalog
      • College Counseling
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • The Talfourd H. Kemper Library
    • CrossWalk for Learning Differences >
      • Meet Our Faculty
    • STUDENT LIFE >
      • Dress Code
      • Extracurriculars
      • International Students
      • Boarding at North Cross
      • After-School Opportunities
      • Summer Programs
  • ATHLETICS/ARTS
    • ATHLETICS >
      • Athletics Calendar
      • Teams & Schedules
      • Championships & Awards
      • Forms
      • Facilities
      • Meet Our Athletics Staff
      • Athletic Boosters
      • In the News
    • ARTS >
      • Band
      • Chorus
      • Studio Art & Graphic Design
      • Theater
      • Friends of the Arts
  • PARENT/Alumni RESOURCES
    • Log in to FACTS
    • School Calendar
    • Back-to-School
    • Student & Parent Handbook
    • Parent Opportunities
    • Summer Programs
    • Key Contacts
    • Covid Protocols
    • Spirit Store >
      • Athletic Apparel
    • ALUMNI >
      • Awards
      • Athletic Hall of Fame
      • In the News
      • Class Notes
      • In Memoriam
  • ADMISSIONS
    • What is an independent school?
    • Inquire & Tour
    • How to Apply
    • Tuition and Fees
    • International Student FAQs
    • Meet Our Team
  • GIVING
    • Make a Gift to North Cross
    • Annual Fund
    • Foundation Tax Credits Program
    • Planned Giving
    • Stock Gifts
    • The Legacy Campaign
    • Other Ways to Give
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Meet Our Team