In keeping with the Lower School philosophy, Glenelg Country School offers a child-centered curriculum. Students are assigned to heterogeneous homerooms but are divided into more homogeneous groupings based on skill and ability in language arts and math. Other academic and special subjects are taught in heterogeneous groups. Instruction at all levels is interdisciplinary and incorporates a wide variety of materials and resources.

Study skills are an integral part of the curriculum, especially in Third, Fourth and Fifth Grades. They include organizing oneself, writing down daily and long-range assignments, preparing for tests and reports, and completing daily homework. Fourth and Fifth graders move toward greater independence in their study skills. Throughout Lower School, accountability and follow-through in schoolwork are expected.

Reading and language arts stress basic phonics and comprehension skills, building toward more complex skills using the Open Court Program supplemented with trade books and teacher-developed activities. The writing program encourages the acquisition of mechanics, as well as age appropriate composition skills in both creative and expository writing. Journals and short essay-type answers in academic subjects provide additional writing experiences across the curriculum. Students in grades three through five participate in the Barlow Public Speaking Contest. Children memorize and deliver a poem or dramatic reading, with selected students competing in a school-wide assembly.

Mathematics instruction extends the computation skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, while challenging students with problem-solving activities. Mastery of basic facts and processes is achieved through drill and the use of manipulatives. The operations eventually extend into decimals and fractions. Calculator activities enhance the program and allow students to more easily use large and complex numbers. Life skills involving geometry, time, and money are included. The groups reflect not only mathematical ability, but also achievement, study skills, maturity, work ethic, and behavior.

The social studies curriculum includes units on ancient and modern cultures and geography. Second Graders study maps and globes, Modern Japan, Ancient Greece, Native Americans, and Early American history. Third Graders concentrate on the history of Maryland, as well as Greece and Rome. Fourth Graders move on to the Medieval Worlds of Europe, Africa, and China as well as Global Studies of modern cultures. Fifth Graders examine Meso-American culture, the Renaissance, Westward Expansion, and the Civil War. A geography challenge is held in the spring for the students in fourth and fifth grades.

The science program involves discovery through hands-on activities with subjects appropriate to students' grade level. The topics include plants, animals, electricity, weather and climate, geology, our solar system and galaxy, and the human body systems (as well as family life in grade five). Students participate in laboratory experiences weekly with the Science Lab teacher. Each fall, students have the opportunity to submit projects for the Lower School Science Fair.

Health education is coordinated with the science curriculum and taught by the Lower School nurse. These classes meet for a trimester. The health topics are presented at developmentally appropriate levels. They include Friendship, Medicines and Other Drugs, Safety, Injury Prevention and Care, Personal Health, Understanding Yourself, Diseases and Disorders, Nutrition, and Human Growth and Development (Grade 5).

The computer curriculum is designed to support concepts taught in the classroom and to practice basic computing skills. These skills include keyboarding exercises, file management and the use of a network, word processing, and creating interactive and multi-media presentations. Beginning programming is explored after grade three, and fifth graders investigate robotics through the use of Lego Mindstorms. Projects, coordinated with other areas of the curriculum, are structured to involve all levels of expertise.

The study of French, Spanish and Latin enriches the children's experience. Languages begin as strictly conversational programs. Students choose either French or Spanish as their foreign language for their lower school grades. The students enhance their written and spoken skills in the chosen language, learn grammar, and study the culture of the areas where these languages are spoken. Latin is taught in grades four and five in order to build the students' vocabulary.

Economics classes expose students to the basic fundamental concepts of supply and demand, money, banking, and the stock market. They explore relationships between these systems and households, businesses, governments and banks.

The special subjects of art, music, and physical education broaden the development of students. Art and music encompass creative expression, instruction in skill development, and a fundamental appreciation of the arts. Students have the opportunity to participate in music ensembles for recorders, bell choir, and chorus. Fifth Grade students are involved in a musical play. All grades and ensemble groups perform in special programs throughout the school year. The physical education program emphasizes physical fitness. It evolves from creative movement classes to skill acquisition for individual and team sports. The boys and girls have physical education uniforms and are sometimes separated for team sport instruction. All students participate in Field Day activities.