Early Childhood
Preschool, Prekindergarten, & Kindergarten
Early childhood education emphasizes the development of the whole child. Learning is meaningful and long-lasting when it focuses on a child’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual experiences. The Early Childhood programs of St. Peter’s School subscribe to these assumptions and are centered on an understanding of the general growth patterns in the early years as well as on the individual development of children. A balance of child-selected activities, teacher-lead activities, and independent play characterizes the day in each grade. The Early Childhood students form friendships, navigate daily social situations, and discover the joy and excitement of learning in a challenging, nurturing environment. While many measurable skills are learned, less tangible achievements of equal value are also acquired. The Early Childhood program goals are to inspire the children to love learning, to foster independence, and to build self-confidence.
Program Essentials
Warm and nurturing environment guided by a community commitment to foster an early and a lifelong love of learning, cultivate inclusivity and compassion and instill honesty and respect for self and others.
Academics in small groups tailored to meet children where they are as learners.
Time for outdoor play in all seasons.
Generous amounts of time for exploration, inquiry, discovery, and student-selected play
Social-emotional learning is taught explicitly through the CharacterStrong program and infused into all aspects of daily life.
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) at SPS
SEL is embedded in everything students do at St. Peter’s, and developing social-emotional competencies is an integral part of education. SEL helps students discover their identities, manage emotions, achieve goals, foster empathy, and maintain healthy relationships. St. Peter’s follows the CASEL model of social-emotional learning, which focuses on five connected areas of competency: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Through SEL, it is our goal to promote educational equity through authentic relationships between students, teachers, faculty, families, and the larger community.
Responsive Classroom
Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach to teaching and discipline that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness. It helps elementary and middle school educators to create safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms and school communities where students develop strong social and academic skills and every student can thrive. (taken from responsiveclassroom.org)
