NHCS Lower School

Welcome to the Neighborhood House Charter Lower School!

Grades K1- 4 | Queen Street Campus | Principal Shanika Bridges-King

Printer-Friendly Informational Sheet

School Hours and Contact Information

School and Main Office Hours:
Grades K1-4
8:00AM – 3:30PM | Monday – Tuesday & Thursday – Friday
8:00AM – 12:30PM | Wednesday

Contact Us:
Phone: (617) 825 – 0703 ext. 0
Address: 21 Queen Street Dorchester, MA 02122
Website: www.thenhcs.org/lower-school

More About Our Lower School

  • Small Class Sizes: Average of 15–20 scholars per class.
  • Personalized Attention: 10:1 scholar-to-teacher ratio.
  • Specialized Support: Designated Special Education Teacher for grades 1–4; Reading Specialist on staff for all grade levels.
  • Healthy Meals for All: Free breakfast and lunch provided daily.
  • Safe & Reliable Transportation: Buses available for eligible scholars.
  • Dedicated Educators: Half-day Wednesdays allow teachers to engage in weekly professional development, ensuring high-quality instruction every day.

NHCS Lower School Offers

Rotating Specials & Student Government

Physical Education, Visual & Performing Arts, Music, Recess, KidLab (STEAM for 2nd-4th Grade); Student Council elections for 2nd-4th grades.

Social-Emotional Learning & Student Support Services

Scholars are supported based on individual need (IEPs, 504 plans; ELL services; on-site counselors, School Psychologist, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist); Leaders of Today mentoring program available (3rd + 4th grades).

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

We are using the Move This World SEL curriculum to strengthen our scholars’ social-emotional skills and daily working habits, empowering them to think critically, solve problems, and flourish both academically and personally.

Student Support Services Every scholar is supported based on their individual needs to ensure equity and academic success. Our comprehensive support services include:

  • Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) & 504 Plans
  • English Language Learner (ELL) Services
  • On-Site Counselors & School Psychologist
  • Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Occupational Therapist

Student Life & Support Initiatives

  • Lunch Groups: Literacy-facilitated lunch buddy groups designed to enhance peer collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a structured, supportive environment.

Lunch & Reading Groups

Small group gatherings for additional support and peer to peer relationship-building.

After School Programming

Available daily on-site through the YMCA until 6pm. Click here to learn more.

Field Explorations & Trips

Off-campus explorations and classroom field trips; overnight trip to Camp Frank A. Day (4th Grade).