STEM

Science: We encourage our students to become little scientists. Each week we conduct a new science experiment, where the kids blow up balloons without air, decompose pumpkins and much more. Often, Mad Millie, a local scientist comes to visit and creates a mess while teaching the children new science skills.

Math: Our math program teaches our students to use hands-on manipulatives to learn the basic concepts of math. Math games help the children to learn through play. Children also learn math through nature and stories.

Reading & Writing

We are a language-intensive school, where reading books and working on vocabulary are central to the educational experience. Our students have the benefit of:

• Handwriting Without Tears program
• Word Time, vocabulary program taught by Squawker our parrot
• Students are encouraged to act out and retell nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and classic children’s books that we read.
• Students enjoy one-on-one time with teachers which helps us to accommodate each child’s individual learning style.
• Our students are connected with a church member or community member who provides three free books a year. In return, the children send thank you letters to their Literacy Buddies.

Music

Kindermusik @ School is a fun and imaginative method of teaching children music and rhythm. The music takes the children on a magical journey through various cultures. The program includes the following themes: Jazz Kitchen, Sounds Abound, Dance with Me, Drums, Drums, Drums, Feel the Music, Rhythms of the Land, Giggles, Join the Parade, and Jumping Beans.

Movement

Yoga: Children learn the basics of breathing, relaxation, and gentle yoga through storytelling. They celebrate the holidays with yoga stories and movement and retell some of their best-loved books through yoga.

Physical Education: Play is integral in our program. We offer structured physical education classes, but we primarily focus on free movement for our children on our new state-of-the-art playground.

Gardening: Students at St. Mark’s learn where food comes from! We grow a lush jungle of vegetables in the Preschool’s own garden and encourage the kids to experiment with seeds, plants, and get their hands in the dirt.

Cultural Enrichment

Spanish: Our students learn Spanish two days each week with Ms. Monica, a native Spanish speaker. All children participate in counting and singing in Spanish all throughout the week. Uno, dos, tres, quatro, cinco, seis…

Godly Play: A Montessori-based program that helps kids learn Bible stories through beautifully carved wooden pieces. The children also complete crafts to retell the stories they’ve learned.

Art: Regular crafting, molding, painting, sculpting, and drawing let the children express themselves as the true artists that they are.

World ‘Travel’: Students all receive passports during the second half of the year as we “travel” to various countries and learn about cultures. We encourage parents to come in and present cultural information about their country of origin.