Pre-Kindergarten
Program Overview
The St. Paul's Pre-K program is academically focused, and we maximize this key time in our students' educational development. Our teachers help Pre-K students foster problem-solving skills, develop independence, and verbalize feelings. St. Paul's Pre-K classrooms feature dramatic play, unique tray work, and STEAM projects to help students fully immerse in their learning units. Learn more about the Pre-K learning objectives, special classes, and a typical daily schedule below.
Did you know that a student who attends pre-kindergarten is more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, have a successful career, and live longer? Read more about the benefits of a pre-kindergarten education here.
Community Pledge
Everyday at Chapel, students say the St. Paul's Community Pledge.
As a member of the St. Paul's community, I pledge to be honest, to respect others, to take responsibility for my actions and words, to be kind and inclusive, and to help others do the same.
These words reinforce the St. Paul's mission and values and help students focus on the day ahead.
Preparing for Pre-K Class
- Problem-Solving Skills: Give your student opportunities to solve problems on their own with support and follow-through.
- Games: Play board games! Allow your child to lose and work through the disappointment. This is great practice in celebrating others and working through tough feelings.
- Play Dates: Schedule play time with a variety of friends and even age groups.
- Read to them! Ask them to re-tell the story and keep them engaged with questions throughout the book.
- Summer in the City: Sign up for the Pre-K Preview summer camp to get ready for the classroom!
Explore What Comes Next
Pre-Kindergarten Learning Highlights
Community Helpers
During their Community Helpers unit, Pre-K students study communities and the people who make them strong. Over the course of several weeks, students meet many guest speakers including veterinarians, doctors, firefighters, fitness coaches, and more. As a culminating event, students participate in a Career Day where they dress as what they might want to be when they grow up. Students choose to be doctors, police officers, chefs, and they all talk to their classmates about how they may help their future communities.
Pre-K Outer Space
Pre-K students spend several weeks learning about the solar system, gravity, the atmosphere, space exploration, and constellations. Students even make and name their own planet! The unit culminates in an open house where students show off their outer space projects to family and friends.
PreK Ocean Program
Is there anything cuter than PreK kids singing and dancing to ocean-themed songs? Our PreK classes wrapped up their unit exploring ocean life and water ecosystems with a special music program for family and friends. Not only is this adorable, it's a great opportunity for these students to get comfortable with public speaking. This is their first time delivering memorized lines in front of an audience!
Sink/Float
During their Ocean unit, students learn about deep sea life and ocean ecosystems. Their water exploration also includes a STEAM lesson on things that sink and float. Students create a "boat" out of aluminum foil and test their boats to see if they float. There’s even a friendly competition to see which of their boats can hold the most pennies!
All About Me
Pre-K begins with a unit titled ‘All About Me’ where students work on art projects and learning activities designed to help introduce themselves to their peers. Students design banners about themselves and give a presentation to their classmates, they graph the number of pets in their households, they create self-portraits, and much more.
Pre-K Building Bridges
Pre-K students work in teams of two to create bridges after reading the book, Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty. Students are challenged to build a bridge to help an animal move from one chair to another to get food. The bridges end up being very elaborate! STEM activities like this are great for fostering collaboration and problem solving skills.
Our social and emotional programming is intentional and promotes enduring foundational skills that will serve our students in relationships, in school, and in work. The early childhood academic curriculum is engaging and designed to promote a curiosity for learning and for school.Mindy Stephenson, St. Paul's Early Childhood Division Head