A Program Designed to Enrich the Child
Ashley Academy realizes that children at the kindergarten age develop at differing rates. Our school allows for this variance among children by placing strong emphasis on individual strengths and instilling in each child a love for learning. Programs are designed to enrich the whole child and classes remain small to guarantee appropriate challenge and maximum success for each student.
Children are encouraged to develop self-confidence and self-esteem as well as respect for others and their uniqueness. Each child’s emotional, physical, social, and cognitive growth, guided through teacher and child-directed activities, is an important goal of the Ashley program. Ashley Academy students meet success as they learn and gain confidence in their own abilities!
Kindergarten is a full-day program beginning at 7:50 a.m. and dismissing at 3:15 p.m. Hot lunch is available daily at an additional charge, or students may bring their own lunch. Some students also bring a morning snack. Ashley recommends that children entering this program should have had a year of pre-school.
LANGUAGE ARTS
Through whole group, small group, and individual activities, the children’s exploration of language is guided and challenged. Group discussions, read-aloud stories of various genre, dramatics, songs, poetry, creative writing, language experience activities, phonics instruction, and literature appreciation are utilized to promote children’s confidence in their emergent reading and writing skills.
MATH
Concepts such as geometric shapes, position, sequence, patterns, comparisons, whole numbers to thirty, sets, time, money, problem solving, fractions, measurements, addition, subtraction, estimation, and simple graphs are presented using manipulatives and group activities.
SOCIAL STUDIES AND SCIENCE
Among the topics discussed are family, neighborhood, friendships, self, map skills, transportation, other cultures, anatomy, earth, space, and nature. Learning is promoted by hands-on activities which stimulate children’s natural curiosity about the world.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Ashley offers two foreign languages – French or Spanish. Classes provide instruction in listening, comprehension, reading, speaking and writing. It is primarily a language/culture motivation program.
MUSIC, ART, COMPUTER, and PHYSICAL EDUCATION also contribute to the development of the whole child.
The Ashley Academy faculty is chosen for their ability to understand the needs of children, their enthusiasm and creativity, their academic record, and previous teaching experience.
