Students in Pre-K and Kindergarten are grouped primarily by social skills, maturity level, academics, and receptive/expressive language abilities. The curriculum for Pre-K is aligned with the Texas Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines and the curriculum for Kindergarten is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Formal handwriting instruction begins with Handwriting Without Tears materials. This program was developed by occupational therapists and has expanded into a full, multi-sensory program. The core curricula for both levels are supplemented by other commercial resources, as well as teacher-designed activities. Developmentally appropriate practices guide daily routines, delivery of instruction, creative playtime, and social skills development. Appropriate social skills and peer relationships are acquired through guided play and interactive group games and activities. Each classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard that supports the use of technology to enhance learning. Throughout the day, students are encouraged and guided in appropriate interactions with their peers and adults to enhance social skills and facilitate functional language acquisition. Individual attention is given to each student with a goal of helping the child reach his/her potential.
Pre-Kindergarten
Each Pre-Kindergarten class typically has up to seven students with a teacher and an instructional assistant. The Pre-Kindergarten program provides a language and literacy-rich environment which promotes the growth and development of each individual child. Pre-K uses the Learning Without Tears: Get Set for Learning program. This research-based, hands-on curriculum combines purposeful play with multi-sensory experiences to prepare students for Kindergarten. The curriculum is divided into the six learning areas of language and literacy, readiness and writing, numbers and math, oral language, science, and social studies to develop the foundational skills necessary for overall academic success.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten classes generally have up to eight students with a teacher and an instructional assistant. Students are grouped primarily by social skills, maturity level, academics, and receptive/expressive language abilities. In Kindergarten, the curriculum places emphasis on language/communication, social skills, functional routines, and academics. A combination of a strong phonetic and whole language approach is used in Language Arts to facilitate beginning reading. Math instruction stresses the development of conceptual understanding and the use of manipulatives. Resources include McGraw Hill Wonders for Language Arts and My Math for Mathematics instruction.