Kindergarten

Our Philosophy

Our St. Francis School kindergarten program nurtures the Catholic values instilled at home. Students learn about God’s love through daily religion lessons and classroom experiences. Parents and teachers work collaboratively to build a partnership between home and school.


Kindergarten students increase their knowledge of the world through a balance of academic and social programs. We help each child grow by teaching listening skills, self-control, and cooperation with others.


A strong core academic curriculum is offered in our kindergarten program. In addition to the core curriculum, a wide range of activities is offered to help children learn both formally and informally. Additionally, our program targets early, developmental elementary skills:

  • Respect for others
  • Following directions and rules
  • Working independently in large and small groups
  • Taking turns and sharing
  • Caring for self

Kindergarten Curriculum


Religion: Sophia Press text is used in the kindergarten religion program. Kindergarten students attend Mass weekly.  Children are taught that they are unique and God has given them special gifts and talents.


Language Arts: The comprehensive, researched-based program, CR Success Learning (formerly known as F.A.S.T. Early Literacy Program) addresses all five areas of reading as well as handwriting. The teacher works with guided reading groups based on students’ abilities, interests and needs.


Math: Using Sadlier Math, a wide variety of skills are reinforced and extended with centers, hands-on activities, whole and small-group lessons, and manipulatives.  Differentiated instruction is used to meet the needs of all students. 


Science: Life science, earth science, and physical sciences such as forces and motion are studied. Students also conduct simple experiments and explorations in the classroom using a STEM teaching approach.


Social Studies: Students study citizenship, communities, careers, geography, and U.S. history.


Spanish: In Spanish class, students are introduced to numbers (0-20), colors, animals, seasons, days of the week and classroom items vocabulary including basic greetings. Through short stories, students are able to recognize words that describe the day, afternoon and night. They also learn whole songs in Spanish and are introduced to shapes and vocabulary words through group play. Students are also able to recognize and respond to classroom guidelines. Finally, students learn about the Hispanic culture and Catholic faith with short prayers, songs and traditions.


Specials: Classes in music, physical education, art, and library are included each week. Play is also important; centers encourage creativity, self-expression, discovery play, and they reinforce what is taught in the core academic areas.


Enrichment

 

  • All kindergarten students begin to take part in Eucharistic Adoration towards the end of the year. Bible and saint stories and holiday celebrations also reinforce the Catholic values taught at St. Francis.
  • Language arts and math concepts are reinforced through center time activities.
  • Puzzles, sensory activities, dramatic play, crafts, and developmentally appropriate activities also help foster the growth of the whole child. 
  • Recess/Lunch:  Every day, Kindergartners enjoy a 25 minute lunch period, followed by 25 minutes of outdoor recess time. Recess and lunch are supervised by parent helpers. The teacher supervises recess in the morning.



What Parents Say…

 

“Kindergarten at St. Francis is a wonderful start for our children’s Catholic education. They learn how special they are in God’s eyes. They enjoy all the school has to offer. Art, music, gym, library, computers...all are part of kindergarten!”

 

“St. Francis offers our daughter a high-quality full-day program in a warm, values-centered environment. The kindergarten programs at St. Francis are exceptional. I wouldn’t send my children anywhere else!”

 

“My child couldn't wait to go to school every morning. He loved all the songs they sang, the F.A.S.T. reading program and center times. He had so much fun learning all the skills he needed in such a creative environment. We were blessed with a wonderful teacher and year.”