While the full scope of learning begins to become more academic, we affirm that play is still essential to this stage of learning.  Lessons are designed for various pacing and learning styles while at the same time challenging the growing knowledge of these children.  Learning to read becomes more formalized at this level.  Wichita Friends School’s Kindergarten curricula have been used and tested at the state and national levels.

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• Handwriting Without Tears is a multi-sensory and developmentally appropriate approach to the foundational handwriting skill that influences a child’s reading, writing, language use and critical thinking.

• Engage New York Math is designed to bring focus to the standard way of teaching math.  Students have opportunity to do daily math routines, use various strategies, and explore different ways to better understand mathematics.

• Mystery Science is a hands-on science and engineering curriculum.  Captivating videos are presented on a large screen, followed with “wondering” questions that stimulate great classroom discussions, encouraging children to think deeply and creatively.

• Engage New York Language Arts is a comprehensive language arts curriculum with components for Listening and Learning, Skills, Guided Reading and Independent Reading.

• Fundations Reading is a multi-sensory language program.  The Fundations curriculum provides research-based materials and strategies to comprehensive reading, spelling, and handwriting achievement.

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School-age children show cognitive engagement and increased academic outcomes when outdoor physical activity is a part of their day.  A part of our elementary education setting is a Discovery Playground where children experience creativity and discovery as they learn, develop and play together.  Additionally, our children make use of field and pond environments, where they investigate nature, collect plant and insect specimens and observe wildlife.  When students play and learn in a multi-faceted outdoor setting, they are healthier, more inquisitive and more passionate about learning.

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Each week children attend music, Spanish, engineering, exercise/movement, board games, Godly play, sign language, library and art classes. Through these special enrichment classes, children develop a broad scope of multi-disciplinary skills and concepts.

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We maintain a small teacher-student ratio of 1:11 in the academic classroom on average. This ratio allows for teachers to respect students’ individual differences and set challenging but achievable goals for each student.

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Half-day and full-day kindergarten are available.