Preschool

Learning happens through the process of play.

• Cultivates curiosity and encourages exploration and discovery in order to develop creative thinkers, real world problem-solvers, and a growth mindset.
• Focuses on collaborative, interactive experiences where students have the opportunity to work in their classrooms and communities to share their learning and gifts with others.
• Through purposeful dramatic play experiences, students use their imaginations, develop their decision-making abilities and collaborate and problem-solve with their peers.

Social emotional development serves as the foundation for future leaders.

• Fosters independence, self-regulation, and responsible decision-making.
• Values purposeful play and exploratory learning, through which students learn social skills as the foundation for healthy relationships.
• Develops self-awareness and self-management, with a specific focus on cultivating cognitive flexibility and a growth mindset.
• Engages students in spiritual development through prayer, as well as mindfulness and self-reflection to deepen a sense of empathy and love for all of God's creation.

Early exposure to academic disciplines builds early neural connections and creates life-long learners.

• Provides student-centered, interdisciplinary experiences in which students use their senses to experience, discover, and share learning about the world.
• Emphasizes early literacy skills and exposure to a variety of listening, speaking, reading and writing activities to prepare students to be lifelong readers and writers.
• Lays the foundation for early math learning by exposing students to mathematics as they explore numbers and concepts such as measurement and quantities, objects and patterns, and early concepts of geometry and spatial relations.
• Through co-curricular programming, students gain exposure to world language to lay the foundation for future learning.
• Interdisciplinary experiences related to science, social studies, and the arts expose students to STEAM learning and provide them a venue in which to apply competencies related to social and emotional learning.

Students begin their day during flex drop-off by playing and exploring in the outdoor classroom.

They then proceed to the Morning Meeting. Children gather on the rug in a large circle to pray. They express what they are grateful for, share class appreciations, sing, dance, and review with their teacher the schedule, calendar, and weather. This time is spent focusing on creating a positive community in which children's social and emotional development is at the forefront.

Children choose which area of the intentionally designed classroom to engage in play. Centers have both open-ended and teacher-directed activities. The children problem-solve, play and talk with each other; they gain self-confidence, learn the importance of teamwork, build trust and respect, and try new experiences.

Students participate in a variety of co-curricular classes to provide a well-rounded learning experience that engages the whole child.

Being in the fresh air and sunshine, digging in the dirt and sand, gardening, playing in the water, scooping, and pouring are many ways that children embrace and enjoy nature.

Rest time is a part of the school day for full-day students in preschool. Preschool students will generally have 1.5 hours of rest. Although some children may no longer nap daily, there is still a quiet period scheduled every day. The lights will be turned off, shades closed, soft music played in the background, and books of interest placed under the child’s cot, if needed. 

Sacred Heart offers flex time at the beginning and end of each school day. Extended day is also offered until 6:00 p.m. There is also a parent-managed van transportation option available.