Social/emotional readiness is a far bigger and better predictor of academic/school success than current academic ability.

While the minimum age requirement for kindergarten is turning five by August 31st of the respective academic year, our average kindergarten starting age is closer to 5.5-6 years old. Many students benefit from enrolling in our Kindergarten Prep preschool program before starting kindergarten. We do not allow early admittance into kindergarten.

“When a child enters kindergarten ready for school, there is an 82% chance they will master basic skills by age 11, compared with a 45% chance for children who are not school-ready.” (Pritzger Children’s Initiative Study)

Kindergarten is a big change! We come alongside students with a graduated transition. We spend the first weeks of kindergarten establishing class culture and routines that lay the foundation for an amazing year.

We want our students to feel seen, known, and loved. When they understand routines and expectations, they become more confident and independent learners. Social-emotional maturity helps students access academic instruction.

Our kindergarten classrooms feature an 18:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Our administrative team prayerfully and intentionally creates well-balanced classrooms, taking into account peer considerations, teacher style, and student strengths/growth opportunities.

Our kindergarten teachers collaborate, and students enjoy interacting with students from the other class for PE, recess, and special activities and events.

Our teachers love to find opportunities to recognize what our students are doing well. Students are encouraged when teachers take the time to notice and appreciate their efforts to contribute to a positive learning environment. At Heritage, we emphasize that "mistakes are where the new learning goes," and we can all learn something new every day.

Each student has a spotlight week, during which they have the opportunity to share more about themselves with their classmates. Students develop self-confidence and appreciation for the beautiful uniqueness of their friends and peers.

From regular learning centers to planning and creating a class gingerbread house, opportunities for peer interaction and collaboration abound. Students learn to work with others, solve problems, and appreciate the individual strengths and ideas that others have to offer.

Here at HCA, we say that kindergarten through second grade is all about 'learning to read' because when students reach third grade, they need to be able to confidently 'read to learn.'

We emphasize the importance of both phonics and sight words as students develop their reading skills. Strength in one area can propel and encourage growth in the other area. 

Students complete an objective diagnostic reading and math assessment at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. Following the diagnostic, an individualized learning pathway is created. This is the most tailored tool we can offer as a school, and students can access the pathway at home (the American Academy of Pediatrics does not consider academic learning tools like i-Ready as screen time).

Students develop early math skills through basic number sense, math facts, and interactive learning centers. Science and social studies are taught as students journey together through the seasons.

Our students learn proper handwriting techniques from the beginning, which paves the way for beginning cursive in second grade. 

Our students travel to specialists throughout the week:

Physical education (twice per week)
Music (twice per week)
Hand-on STEM/Computer Lab
Library
Recess (3 daily times: 15 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes after lunch, 15 minutes in the afternoon)

Kindergartners love chapel Wednesdays. Most weeks our kindergarten through fifth grade students join together for elementary chapel, featuring worship and a special speaker. We also love bringing the entire school for special combined chapels (i.e. Christmas, Easter, Veterans' Day).

While we have a wonderful kindergarten Bible curriculum, Jesus is part of our whole day at Heritage. As students learn their letters and sounds, they learn a memory verse with each one. When we discuss math and the world around us, we talk about how our amazing God makes all things work together for His good. Teachers take the time to listen, as well as pray for and with our students.

Each month, we focus on a character trait. We discuss what it means to exhibit this trait, what the Bible says about it, and how Jesus demonstrated it. Students are given Guardian Badges on the spot when staff catch them showing those character traits. At the end of the month, we award students and staff who consistently shine the character trait with Philippians Awards at chapel. 

•Putting on coat
•Packing, zipping up, & carrying backpack
•Buckling seatbelt in the car
•Bathroom independence
•Eating meals and snacks with minimal support
•Practice multiple step directions
•Practice delayed gratification (find opportunities to have your child wait: delay responding if interrupting a conversation, have your child wait for you to do something)

•Preschool programs with increased length as the student ages
•Playdates
•Church activities
•Clubs, sports, arts, clinics, summer camps

•Plan to arrive on time every day
•Plan for consistent attendance

•Pencil grip (writing, coloring, drawing, cutting)
•Legos, puzzles, lacing cards

•Practice identifying and writing upper- and lower-case letters.
•Practice letter sounds.

•Reading to your child counts as reading!
•Avoid having your child try to read books that are too advanced or above his or her level. Studies show that when children attempt books above their reading level (especially if reading independently), they can develop bad habits and experience a decline in overall reading progress.
 

Practice number identification, writing, and counting with manipulatives.