Pre-School

The Pre-School program seeks to cultivate the innate sense of wonder of young children about themselves and their world. It seeks to develop an awareness that each child is special--a gift from God. A loving, Christian atmosphere that is sensitive to the individual child's abilities, potential and readiness, prevails throughout the Pre-School. The curriculum emphasizes the joy of discovery, the development of creativity, and simple problem solving. The primary aim is to enable each child to develop a positive self-concept, a positive attitude toward learning and fundamental readiness skills.

The encouragement of creativity is a priority in the Pre-School; thus, arts and crafts materials, dress-up clothes, manipulatives, puzzles, games, blocks, yard and other play equipment are provided for the children. Oral language is enhanced by storytelling, dramatic role playing and relating and recording of the child's personal experiences. Cooking, creative play and expression, and field trips are all included in the developmental program. Individual attention is afforded each child. The child's active participation in self-directed play and supervised activities with actual real life experiences facilitates motivated, meaningful learning in the early years. Learning centers where each child is free to explore individual interests, exercise initiative, and develop resourcefulness and responsibility provide the setting for individual and small group instruction. A child's continuing success in school is largely dependent upon proper placement in her earliest years. To ensure proper placement, each child's progress is carefully followed, and there is ongoing communication with parents.

Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten Programs

The Nursery program provides a secure but stimulating environment to meet the needs of the 3 and 4 year olds. Activities include: use of manipulative materials and games to enhance readiness skills and coordination, enriching group experiences to promote sociability, sharing and concern for their peers and environment, and introduction to letters and numbers. In the Pre-Kindergarten class, the program nurtures the ever-active minds of the 4 and 5 year olds. A thematic structure integrates Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies to enhance readiness skills. Language Arts includes journal writing, which provides the opportunity for dictation, letter recognition, and phonics application. Communication and socialization skills are emphasized in an environment that provides for the emotional, physical, and spiritual growth of each individual.

Optional afternoon care is offered to Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten children. The hours are 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Activities include lunch and playtime, rest and story time, and creative activities.

Kindergarten Program

A full day Kindergarten program that integrates structured as well as unstructured activities is provided for 5 and 6 year olds. Intellectual growth is integrated through learning centers including Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. The learning process is enriched through a wide variety of modalities, teaching each child at her level of individual intellectual development. The Kindergarten curriculum enables the child to attain knowledge and proficiency in the areas presented and reinforces a positive attitude toward school and learning.

In addition, the Pre-School curriculum offers these special classes: Religious Instruction, Physical Education, Music, Art, Library, and Foreign Language (Pre-K/K)

The Plus program at Sacred Heart offers care from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Ballet and tumbling are available after school.

Piano is available from 12:00 to 3:30 p.m. daily.