Our Approach
Child-Centered Curriculum
We celebrate the growth and development of the whole child.
Our play-based philosophy and emergent curriculum allow children the freedom to explore and investigate through literacy, art, music, math, science, dramatic play, sensory play, cooking, nature and discovery in both large and small group experiences.
Our teachers are intentional about creating a safe, caring and stimulating environment which will meet the physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs of our students. Investigative learning experiences are planned around the interest of the children, so that learning is meaningful and relevant for each child.
Our kindergarten children flourish in an environment that provides hands-on, creative, inquiry-based exploration, as well as time for developing literacy and math skills. Our play-based approach to learning fosters the development of the whole child and our small class size with two certified teachers provides individualized instruction for each child’s unique learning style. Children are given opportunities every day to become self-confident and independent. They learn and understand that showing empathy and caring for one another is an important part of belonging to a community. The children learn to be responsible for not only their belongings but their words and their actions.
Chapel
St. Mary’s values the spiritual development of the child. Children attend chapel services twice a month. They enjoy a very simple ritual of prayer, Bible story, and song with the church’s Director of Children’s Ministries. Children also say a blessing in their classroom each day before their snack.
Chapel
St. Mary’s values the spiritual development of the child. Children attend chapel services twice a month. They enjoy a very simple ritual of prayer, Bible story, and song with the church’s Director of Children’s Ministries. Children also say a blessing in their classroom each day before their snack.
Music / Movement Enrichment
Every other week, the children actively participate in music and movement activities with an outside teacher. Children learn about instruments, music theory, and rhythm. These activities are often included in the daily musical and movement experiences in the classroom.
Chapel
St. Mary’s values the spiritual development of the child. Children attend chapel services twice a month. They enjoy a very simple ritual of prayer, Bible story, and song with the church’s Director of Children’s Ministries. Children also say a blessing in their classroom each day before their snack.
Music / Movement Enrichment
Every other week, the children actively participate in music and movement activities with an outside teacher. Children learn about instruments, music theory, and rhythm. These activities are often included in the daily musical and movement experiences in the classroom.
The Importance of Play
The importance of play has been well-documented. It is essential to a child’s development in all areas: cognitive, physical, social, and emotional. It is considered the “work” of the child. As a child grows and develops, the child’s play develops along with him/her.
Through play, children are able to put into action the concepts and ideas which are being presented to them in a way which is relevant to their understanding and developmental needs.
Learning through play occurs in a carefully prepared environment, where the teacher follows the child’s lead to plan meaningful experiences. The environment invites young children to explore, investigate, question, examine, predict, use trial and error, and manipulate while creating in-depth, concrete, and long-term learning.
Messy Play
Being naturally curious, children are able to experiment and express themselves with different materials, such as fingerpaint, gloop, slime, clay, water, dirt, and mud.
Every day is a joyous messy play day at St. Mary’s Episcopal School.
Ask our current families, and you’ll hear it again and again: “St. Mary’s is a special place.”
Nature-Based Learning
Current research validates the importance of connecting children with nature on a daily basis.
Children who play outside regularly become fitter and leaner, develop a stronger immune system, have lower stress levels, have more active imaginations, play more creatively, are happier, have a greater respect for themselves and others and learn and cultivate environmental awareness and values.
The outdoor classroom provides opportunities for children to develop problem-solving skills, participate in dramatic play, experience music, and dance, build their knowledge of mathematical concepts, build and create with materials in the natural world, develop fine motor and large motor skills, develop oral communication skills and vocabulary, compare and categorize, collect and analyze data, explore using the five senses, and explore and experiment with scientific phenomena.
Our front and back playgrounds are located in the natural setting of our campus and children can connect with the beauty of nature while running, climbing, laughing, and playing with their friends.
Our nature trail provides unique opportunities to experience the change of seasons, discover what is under a rock or log, listen to the sounds of nature, explore animal footprints, watch a mother bird feed her babies, go on a nature hunt, and participate in a variety of discovery activities.
Bird feeders outside of classrooms provide an additional way for our children to observe and care for nature.