St. James Episcopal School is committed to the development of each child intellectually, physically and spiritually. The Preschool is a fully accredited program for children; 2 years of age through Kindergarten.  Preschool classes are designed to meet the developmental needs of individual children by providing a learning climate that is stimulating and challenging as well as nurturing. Children are encouraged to explore, question and to create in a 'risk-free' atmosphere that fosters their natural curiosity.

Children must reach the chronological age appropriate for their classroom before September 1st of the year of entrance.

The Preschool curriculum is composed of experiences and activities in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, fine arts, motor development, and spiritual formation and growth.

The language arts program includes development of the four vocabularies of literacy - listening, speaking, reading and writing. Children engage in daily activities to build reading readiness, pre-reading, and reading skills. Pre-writing and writing skills are developed through labeling, construction of experience stories, and use of inventive spelling. Reading experiences are presented in an eclectic approach that includes phonemic awareness, introduction of phonics and sight vocabularies and children's literature. Reading to, with, and by students is emphasized.

The Preschool mathematics program is designed to promote concept development through exploration and discovery. A wide variety of math manipulatives are used to provide "hands-on" experiences. Math activities include identifying and describing similarities and differences, measurement, describing and extending patterns, comparing objects using their attributes such as size, shape, color, and position, counting, recognizing numerals and number names, sequencing, and creative problems solving.

K4 Math
Children develop concepts about themselves, others, and the world around them through observation, interacting with real objects, and seeking solutions to concrete problems. The math program enables students to use math through exploration and discovery. Math skills are acquired through spontaneous (but guided) play, projects, and situations.

JrK Math
Opportunities are provided in informal and formal ways throughout the curriculum so children begin to recognize numerals, patterns and shapes. Other math activities include sequencing, counting, sorting, problem solving and use of comparative vocabulary.

K5 Math
Kindergarten students make comparisons of size, shape, color and detail; use number sequencing to identify the quantities within a variety of groups of objects; measure with non-standard units; make and test predictions; count; add and subtract; organize data into graphs; estimate; and develop an understanding of the base ten number system.

The Preschool social studies curriculum is developed around broad-based themes, which serve as the central focus of instruction for extended periods of time. Students are provided with learning opportunities to develop a sense of personal identity, and an understanding of their roles and responsibilities in group interactions. They are encouraged to acquire an appreciation for similarities and diversity among people and awareness of the impact of history on the present and future.

The Preschool science program is designed to cultivate the students' natural sense of wonder and curiosity of the world around them. Science instruction utilizes exploration, and experimentation. Students are encouraged to question, predict hypothesize, manipulate, test, and draw conclusions about phenomena in their environments.

The Preschool fine arts curriculum includes music, the visual arts, and drama. Instruction emphasizes creativity, imaginative expression, exploration, and choice. In visual art, the emphasis is on process rather than product. Children are encouraged to experiment with a variety of materials and techniques in order to expand their artistic expression and manipulative skills. The classroom teachers incorporate art into the daily instruction.

Formal visual art instruction with an art specialist begins in Kindergarten (K5).  A music specialist conducts music classes for all students in the Preschool program. The classroom teachers integrate music into daily instruction, also. Music instruction includes listening, singing, moving, and creative dramatization with music. The musical concepts of beat, rhythm, tempo, and pitch are included in music instruction. Creative drama is included in daily instruction and in plays, pageants, and presentations during the school year.

The physical education program for Preschool students is designed for the motor development of the children. Specific motor skills include eye-hand and eye-foot coordination, balance, strength, rhythm, and directionality. Students receive instruction in basic gymnastics, proper use of equipment and developmentally appropriate, organized games.

True to the mission of St. James Episcopal School our preschool seeks to develop each child to his or her fullest potential intellectually, physically, and spiritually.  St. James provides instruction in spiritual formation and growth. We employ a mixture of developmentally appropriate daily Bible reading, prayer, devotional time, and chapel experiences as essential elements in the education of the Preschool students. Children are taught to celebrate the life given to them by God and to appreciate their privileges and responsibilities as members of God's Kingdom community.

St. James Episcopal School is committed to the development of each child intellectually, physically and spiritually. The Preschool is a fully accredited program for children; 2 years of age through Kindergarten.  Preschool classes are designed to meet the developmental needs of individual children by providing a learning climate that is stimulating and challenging as well as nurturing. Children are encouraged to explore, question and to create in a 'risk-free' atmosphere that fosters their natural curiosity.

Children must reach the chronological age appropriate for their classroom before September 1st of the year of entrance.

The Preschool curriculum is composed of experiences and activities in language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, fine arts, motor development, and spiritual formation and growth.

The language arts program includes development of the four vocabularies of literacy - listening, speaking, reading and writing. Children engage in daily activities to build reading readiness, pre-reading, and reading skills. Pre-writing and writing skills are developed through labeling, construction of experience stories, and use of inventive spelling. Reading experiences are presented in an eclectic approach that includes phonemic awareness, introduction of phonics and sight vocabularies and children's literature. Reading to, with, and by students is emphasized.

The Preschool mathematics program is designed to promote concept development through exploration and discovery. A wide variety of math manipulatives are used to provide "hands-on" experiences. Math activities include identifying and describing similarities and differences, measurement, describing and extending patterns, comparing objects using their attributes such as size, shape, color, and position, counting, recognizing numerals and number names, sequencing, and creative problems solving.

K4 Math
Children develop concepts about themselves, others, and the world around them through observation, interacting with real objects, and seeking solutions to concrete problems. The math program enables students to use math through exploration and discovery. Math skills are acquired through spontaneous (but guided) play, projects, and situations.

JrK Math
Opportunities are provided in informal and formal ways throughout the curriculum so children begin to recognize numerals, patterns and shapes. Other math activities include sequencing, counting, sorting, problem solving and use of comparative vocabulary.

K5 Math
Kindergarten students make comparisons of size, shape, color and detail; use number sequencing to identify the quantities within a variety of groups of objects; measure with non-standard units; make and test predictions; count; add and subtract; organize data into graphs; estimate; and develop an understanding of the base ten number system.

The Preschool social studies curriculum is developed around broad-based themes, which serve as the central focus of instruction for extended periods of time. Students are provided with learning opportunities to develop a sense of personal identity, and an understanding of their roles and responsibilities in group interactions. They are encouraged to acquire an appreciation for similarities and diversity among people and awareness of the impact of history on the present and future.

The Preschool science program is designed to cultivate the students' natural sense of wonder and curiosity of the world around them. Science instruction utilizes exploration, and experimentation. Students are encouraged to question, predict hypothesize, manipulate, test, and draw conclusions about phenomena in their environments.

The Preschool fine arts curriculum includes music, the visual arts, and drama. Instruction emphasizes creativity, imaginative expression, exploration, and choice. In visual art, the emphasis is on process rather than product. Children are encouraged to experiment with a variety of materials and techniques in order to expand their artistic expression and manipulative skills. The classroom teachers incorporate art into the daily instruction.

Formal visual art instruction with an art specialist begins in Kindergarten (K5).  A music specialist conducts music classes for all students in the Preschool program. The classroom teachers integrate music into daily instruction, also. Music instruction includes listening, singing, moving, and creative dramatization with music. The musical concepts of beat, rhythm, tempo, and pitch are included in music instruction. Creative drama is included in daily instruction and in plays, pageants, and presentations during the school year.

The physical education program for Preschool students is designed for the motor development of the children. Specific motor skills include eye-hand and eye-foot coordination, balance, strength, rhythm, and directionality. Students receive instruction in basic gymnastics, proper use of equipment and developmentally appropriate, organized games.

True to the mission of St. James Episcopal School our preschool seeks to develop each child to his or her fullest potential intellectually, physically, and spiritually.  St. James provides instruction in spiritual formation and growth. We employ a mixture of developmentally appropriate daily Bible reading, prayer, devotional time, and chapel experiences as essential elements in the education of the Preschool students. Children are taught to celebrate the life given to them by God and to appreciate their privileges and responsibilities as members of God's Kingdom community.