Children are born learners, but they need to be taught to be successful students. Job skills, life skills, and relationship skills don’t develop without guidance. We give young children the tools they need to work independently, to learn in a school setting and to develop a passion for learning that will last a lifetime. Our early learning programs give each child a running start at reaching this goal.

New Early Learning Center

St. Mary's new Early Learning Center will be expanded for the 2009-2010 school year, and will include the following programs:

• Our Little Angels Program for two-year-olds will be offered every day with both morning and an afternoon sessions. This program emphasizes the development of individual competencies and social skills through play.
• Our Preschool Program for three-year-olds will be offered every day with both morning and an afternoon sessions, as well as a full-day session. The Preschool Program is developmental and directional, guiding each child individually and in groups in preparation for the Pre-Kindergarten experience.
• Before- and After-School Care will be available for children in Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and all of the Multi-age programs.

Philosophy/Program Design
Research indicates that early learning programs are the key to success for many students. We have found this is true in identifying potential learning problems and in building children’s self confidence.

Teaching a child two or three years prior to kindergarten gives staff members an opportunity to observe how each child learns best and, what his or her strengths are in order to help build each learner’s self confidence and expand his or her repertoire of skills.

Working closely with parents and specialists, we can also identify potential areas where children may need remediation, and determine what accommodations may be needed. We have been successful in individualizing programs to meet children’s special needs.

Entry Requirements

• Children in the three- and four-year-old programs must be self-toileting.
• We follow the Washington State Requirement for entry age. Children entering a program must be that age by midnight August 31.
• Probationary entry may be granted, based on testing in August, for children who miss the deadline by a few weeks.

ACADEMICS LINKS

Materials and Resources

Program Format

Subject Level

Enrichment

Special Programs and Services

State Learning Goals