Early Childhood Academics

Imagine more for your child… imagine what St. John’s Early Childhood education offers.

St. John’s Parish Day School has been serving children ages three through five years (often called "preschool age") for over 45 years. We know young children and their specific educational needs, and our experienced faculty creates enjoyable, rich learning experiences to meet these needs every day!   We call this program "Early Childhood" instead of "Preschool" because we believe that all of these children are fully invested in our "total school" program, not just involved in a prelude to school. Our goal is to provide a stimulating educational environment where each child is allowed to explore, discover, and learn at his/her own pace - from age 3 all the way through Grade 5. 

The active classroom environment provides each child a choice of creative activities to learn and explore their world individually or in small groups. These experiences are based on seasonal themes, children’s interests, and learning goals of which language, math, science, and social studies are key components. Teachers guide the children as they choose activities that will help them develop and grow. Our curriculum goals are advanced through topics that arise from the interests of the children and/or events that take place in the classroom on a daily basis.  Teachers integrate literacy, social studies, math, music, and art into themes. The specific content of the curriculum varies according to the program in which your child is enrolled.

 Guided play is a significant element of learning at St. John’s.  It is a key way children have of processing and understanding their world.  Through play children experience social, emotional, physical, and cognitive benefits that their brains need to fully develop, and it facilitates a child’s physical and sensory motor development as he/she runs, jumps, digs, paints, draws, or has direct contact with the earth and culture around him/her.  Play also promotes social learning. As a child plays with other children he/she learns to compromise, share and find compatible ways to play with each other.  Play also supports emotional growth.  During play a child may project feelings onto toys and can work out his/her feelings in a constructive way. 

In addition to the dynamic classroom experience, children attend daily Chapel.  Art, music, media, physical education, science and computer classes are taught by Specialists with knowledge and interest in these subjects. Field trips to regional educational sites also enrich the curriculum.

St. John’s uniquely balanced Early Childhood program, comprised of academics and guided play, both indoors and out, prepares each child for a lifetime of success and instills the lifelong love of learning.