Primary School
Primary School: Preschool Through Kindergarten
Environment and Learning Focus
In the spirit of an Episcopal school, the primary school program at St. Mark’s Episcopal School offers “a lively center for sound learning, new discovery and the pursuit of wisdom,” bringing the words of our St. Mark’s Episcopal School Prayer to life. Classroom environments are arranged in learning centers filled with hands-on materials and teacher directed activities that foster growth in social, emotional, cognitive, fine and gross motor and creative skill development.
Indoor and Outdoor Environments
Each innovative classroom is staffed with a lead teacher and an assistant setting the stage for small and large group learning experiences and the opportunity for individualized guidance throughout the school day. Outdoor environments are well-designed play spaces that enhance collaborative play and gross motor skill acquisition.
Explorers
This program is for our youngest students, 18 month olds through younger two-year-olds. To join us in this classroom, students are required to be 18 months old by August 1. These students experience play-based learning, as we introduce them to life at school. Our youngest students in the Explorers program spend their mornings in a classroom designed for open-ended learning activities guided by nurturing, experienced teachers of young children. The well-planned environment provides activities designed to “grow” age-appropriate skills through self-selected experiences and teacher guided activities. Emphasis is placed upon the process rather than the product and the joy of hands-on, active learning projects. Our teachers work with students on developing independence and socialization, building self-control, and instilling a love of learning.
Seekers
The Seekers program is for students who are “older” two year olds. They also spend their mornings in a classroom designed for open-ended learning activities guided by nurturing, experienced teachers of young children. The well-planned environment provides scaffolded activities designed to foster individual development and age-appropriate skills through self-selected experiences and materials as well as teacher guided activities. Emphasis is placed on the active learning projects and furthering each child’s development through independence, socialization, self regulation, and foundational skill development. Our teachers work with students to instill a love of learning and the joy of discovery.
Preschool 3s and Pre-K
Curious, creative and enthusiastic learning drives our students in Preschool 3s and Pre-K to embrace focused primary school learning experiences. Their classrooms are a combination of open-ended center play and activities with an introduced purpose, designed to foster cognitive development through the exploration of emergent reading, math, and science concepts. Our program emphasizes the strengthening of fine motor skills and continued development of social and emotional skills. Thematic studies are designed to immerse children in the study of science and social studies topics such as family and community, fall harvest, holiday traditions, owls, Asia, insects, and more.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten students are active learners who are highly engaged in the study of the world around them. As they move away from open-ended center play to activities with an introduced purpose, they acquire academic skills, and emergent reading and math benchmarks. The classroom environment provides opportunities for self-directed and teacher-directed learning. The program includes a continued emphasis on the strengthening of fine motor skills for emergent writing and cooperative learning and play to further the development of social and emotional skills. Thematic studies expand to include research, class projects using technology and creativity, and emergent reading and writing skills.
Curriculum
Inside the Explorers Classroom
Age
This program is designed for students who are 18 months through 2 years old. Students must be 18 months old by August 1.
Schedule
Monday through Friday
Half Day 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM
Students may extend their day until 2:30 PM if enrolled in Extended Day, and may stay until 6:00 PM if enrolled in After School.
Learning Centers
Blocks, Puzzles, Games, Dramatic Play, Reading, Art Experiences, Fine Motor Practice, Scooters and more to extend Gross Motor Development.
Enrichment Courses
Explorers will participate in a modified version of Spanish, Religion, and Music. They will experience a modified version of Library class and will attend Movement class weekly. In the spring, our Explorers will attend Primary School Chapel.
Outdoor Play
Our Explorers enjoy the courtyard playground, green space, and outdoor classroom for joyous outdoor activities.
Curriculum
Expressive Language development through storytelling, read-aloud stories, picture concept materials and daily interaction. Thematic Studies engage students in hands-on activities centered around holidays, weather, families, and more. Classroom materials are selected to build Math, Science and Reading readiness.
Inside the Seekers Classroom
Age
This program is designed for students who are two, turning three during the school year. Students must be 2 by September 1.
Schedule
Monday through Friday
Half Day 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM
Students may extend their day until 2:30 PM if enrolled in Extended Day, and may stay until 6:00 PM if enrolled in After School.
Learning Centers
Blocks, Puzzles, Games, Dramatic Play, Reading, Art Experiences, Fine Motor Practice, Scooters and more to extend Gross Motor Development.
Enrichment Classes
Spanish, Library, Religion, Music, and Movement. In the spring, our Seekers will attend Primary School Chapel.
Outdoor Play
Our Seekers enjoy the courtyard playground, green space, and outdoor classroom for joyous outdoor activities.
Curriculum
Expressive Language development through storytelling, read-aloud stories, picture concept materials and daily interaction. Thematic Studies engage students in hands-on activities centered around holidays, weather, families, and more. Classroom materials are selected to build Math, Science and Reading readiness.
Inside the Preschool 3s Classroom
Age
This program is designed for students who are three, turning four during the school year. Students must be three by September 1.
Schedule
Monday through Friday
8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Students may extend their day until 6:00 PM if enrolled in After School.
Learning Centers
Blocks, Puzzles, Manipulatives, Dramatic Play, Reading, Easel and Art Experiences, Math and Science.
Enrichment Classes
Spanish, Library, Religion, Music, Movement, and Chapel.
Outdoor Play
Preschool 3s students enjoy the courtyard playground, green space, and outdoor classroom for joyous outdoor activities.
Curriculum
Emergent literacy fostered through the Storytelling format based upon the Rice School Literacy Project, letter recognition, rhyming and phoneme activities. Exposure to quality children’s literature is a foundation for all literacy learning. Math readiness through center games and puzzles, sorting, counting and classifying activities. Vocabulary Enrichment through quality children’s literature and thematic studies. Fine Motor enhanced through center games, art experiences and early writing instruction. Thematic Studies include: “All About Me”, the farm, the five senses, holidays, and more.
Inside the Pre-K Classroom
Age
This program is designed for students who are four, turning five during the school year. Students must be four by September 1.
Schedule
Monday through Friday
Full Day 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Students may begin their day at 7:00 AM if enrolled in Before School and extend their day until 6:00 PM if enrolled in After School.
Reading
Oral language development, participation, and vocabulary building. Storytelling format based upon the Rice School Literacy Project. Phonemic awareness that includes rhyming, letter recognition, initial consonant sounds, writing through labeling and emergent skill activities and story dictation. Exposure to quality children’s literature is a foundation for all literacy learning. Purposeful communication activities and emphasis on listening to learn.
Writing
Handwriting begins formally with Handwriting Without Tears. This handwriting readiness program suits Pre-K students’ developmental needs and abilities, focusing on efficient grip and letter formation.
Math
Promoting mathematical understanding through experiences and play. Center Games and materials. Group counting, sorting and classifying activities. Individual practice through hands-on activities utilizing concepts developed through the program Bridges in Mathematics.
Learning Centers
Blocks, Cooperative Games, Puzzles, Computer, Science, Math, Dramatic Play, Sand Sensory Table, Art Experiences, Storytelling and Puppet, Manipulatives, and Brain Builder Tubs.
Enrichment Classes
Library, Religion, Music, Movement, Spanish, Technology, and Chapel.
Outdoor Play
Pre-K students enjoy the courtyard playground, green space, and outdoor classroom for joyous outdoor activities.
Inside the Kindergarten Classroom
Age
Students must be five by September 1.
Schedule
Monday through Friday
Full Day 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Students may begin their day at 7:00 AM if enrolled in Before School and extend their day until 6:00 PM if enrolled in After School.
Reading
Emergent reading skills in Kindergarten are developed through the Storytelling format from the Rice School Literacy Project, elements of the Superkids curriculum, and a blend of both programs to promote phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding skills for early readers. Exposure to quality children’s literature is a foundation for all literacy learning.
Writing
Students are given the tools and encouragement to continue their natural desire to construct meaningful communication through print. Activities include journal work, shared Writing activities, story writing, and genre studies.
Math
Bridges in Mathematics is the foundation program for the development of concepts and knowledge of basic arithmetic skills. Extensions centered around thematic studies, problem solving, and partner and group activities. Patterning, sorting, classifying, graphing, measuring, addition and subtraction, probability, geometry, place value and problem solving.
Science and Social Studies
Concepts are taught formally through thematic studies; Students acquire knowledge through literature, multi-media, hands-on activities, and outside resources.
Enrichment Classes
Physical Education, Library, Religion, Music, Art, Spanish, Technology, and Chapel.
Outdoor Play
Kindergarteners enjoy the main playground, green space, and outdoor classroom for joyous outdoor activities.
School Hours
Explorers and Seekers:
- Normal Day: 8:30 AM - 12:15 PM, 5 days per week (students may arrive beginning at 8:15 AM)
- Extended Day: 12:15 PM - 2:30 PM; register online, drop-ins not available
- After School: 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM; register online, drop-ins not available
- Students with older siblings are eligible for Early Bird Program
Preschool 3s:
- Normal Day: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5 days per week (students may arrive beginning at 8:15 AM)
- After School: 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM; register online, drop-ins not available
- Students with older siblings are eligible for Early Bird Program
Pre-K and Kindergarten:
- Normal Day: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM, 5 days per week (students may arrive beginning at 7:40 AM)
- Before School: 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM; register online
- After School: 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM; register online