Don't Wait Until It's Too Late: Education Starts in Early Childhood

Many families wait until Kindergarten to start their children in a formal school setting, but research shows that learning in a warm and welcoming educational setting with their peers during ages 2-5 sets students up for success! At St. Paul's, in particular, the best entry point for students is Early Childhood. 

Over the past several years, attrition trends in independent schools, St. Paul's included, have shifted. We are thrilled that our Lower School grades (1st - 5th) are typically full. However, this makes the process uncertain for our 1st – 5th grade applicants, and they are often placed in the wait pool until space becomes available. Depending on the final decision of our current families, we do not know if we will have space until the withdraw deadline in February every year.

What's the best way to avoid this uncertainty if you want your student at St. Paul's in Lower School? Enroll in Early Childhood!

Every fall, St. Paul's launches admissions for the following school year. Interested families complete the admissions process which includes completing a school application, and visiting St. Paul's for a tour and/or open house event. Considering that many Lower School grade levels at St. Paul’s are full, we always encourage parents to consider applying for the Early Childhood grade levels (which often have space, at least early in the annual admissions cycle). Once a student is accepted and signs their contract, they are a student at St. Paul’s until graduation.

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What makes St. Paul's Early Childhood special?

 

 

Families often consider St. Paul’s Early Childhood while having upper grade levels in mind for the future. But here are a few important things to consider:

• The making of a St. Paul’s graduate begins in Early Learner (age 2) and builds through each grade level.
• The Early Learner, Preschool, and Pre-kindergarten years each offer unique experiences and curriculum that develop the whole child through specials classes, life skills, play and structured class time.
• St. Paul's Early Childhood programs build academic skills, but they also develop independence, confidence and social emotional skills to better prepare students for kindergarten and beyond.

Early Childhood at St. Paul's

 

Is there ever space in Early Childhood?

 

Based on our Early Childhood classroom model, it is more likely that an applicant will find space in Early Childhood rather than other upper grades. We increase class size as the students advance to kindergarten and beyond, but there is typically a lot of demand for a limited number of spots in those lower school grade levels.

At St. Paul’s, our intention is to provide the most engaging learning environment in the classroom with small class sizes and dynamic curriculum. We start small and grow from there so that the student experience can build academically and in class size:

• Early Learner (2 yrs): 35 students, ratio of 1:6
• Preschool: 40 students, ratio of 1:10
• Pre-kindergarten: 44 students, ratio of 1:11
• Kindergarten – 5th grade: 44 students with a ratio that varies depending on the grade level.

Learn More about What Sets Us Apart

 

"The best entry point at St. Paul's is in Early Childhood. Students in these critical early years gain the confidence, curiosity, and compassionate care they need to thrive in kindergarten, middle school, and beyond."  Katie Gregg-Wiedwald, St. Paul's Director of Admissions & Financial Aid

 

Is your child ready for school?

 

There are a number of families who might not have Early Childhood on their radar for a number of reasons. Maybe they like their neighborhood daycare or church, or perhaps they want to keep their children home a little longer for time with family. We also often hear, “I don’t have to worry about school for my child until Kindergarten”. These are all common reasons to pass on early childhood programs as an option, but we strongly believe St. Paul's programs can set children up for a successful future at home and school.

We strive to give families who have children from 2 – 4 years a way to ease into the school experience while building an academic foundation that will ultimately prepare them for school.

• The Early Learner program (2 yr) offers a 2-day, 3-day, and 5-day option, allowing students to ease their way into the classroom full time.
• Early Learner (2 yr), Preschool (3 yr) and Pre-k (4 yr) offer an earlier dismissal time separate from the entire school so that families have the option of a half or full day. Afternoon care options are available as needed.

Extended Day at St. Paul's

 

Becoming a St. Paul's "Super Lifer"

 

 

We have found that students who enroll in the St. Paul’s Early Childhood program find their path through school with confidence. During this critical time in the early years, children gain key academic and social skills that serve them well as they take on new challenges in 1st – 8th grade. Students also enter lower school and middle school in a community that truly knows each student as individuals. Teachers are better able to support students' academic growth in an environment where the student has grown and learned through the St. Paul's Early Childhood years.

When we send our graduates to high school, we honor students who have been here since their early years. It is a point of pride for our graduates who have made St. Paul’s their home for 12 years!

• Super Lifer: Early Learner to 8th grade
• Lifer: Preschool, Pre-kindergarten, or Kindergarten to 8th grade

We hope that you will consider our early childhood program and become a member of the St. Paul’s community. Our exceptional teachers and dynamic curriculum inspire each student to reach their full potential. We are committed to helping your child develop their academic foundation and life skills that will carry them to lower school, middle school, and beyond.

Portrait of a St. Paul's Graduate

Ready to take the next step? Visit our Admissions page to start the process today.

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