We’ve been closely observing the unique approach to early education at Peoria Kindergarten in St. Mary’s School. Their curriculum, focusing on core subjects alongside unique elements like agriculture and coding, really stands out. But what truly piques our interest is their commitment to maintaining small class sizes and providing individualized attention. It’s clear they’re setting a strong foundation for young learners, but we’re left wondering, how do they balance this academic rigor with the social and personal growth of their students?
St. Mary’s School: An Overview
At St. Mary’s School in Peoria, we pride ourselves on offering a quality education rooted in Catholic traditions, engaging, challenging, and inspiring our students to achieve individual excellence and become life-long learners.
Our Peoria preschool program is designed to build a strong foundation for our youngest learners, nurturing their curiosity and instilling a love for learning.
Our Peoria kindergarten program takes the learning further by focusing on developing key skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic. We also incorporate fun and engaging activities that help our students to develop socially, emotionally, and physically.
As for our Peoria elementary schools, we emphasize a well-rounded education. This includes a focus on the arts, sciences, and social studies, as well as opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities. Our classrooms are designed to promote active learning, with interactive lessons that help our students to connect their learning to real-world situations.
We believe that our commitment to academic excellence, coupled with our emphasis on spiritual growth and character development, truly sets us apart as a leading educational institution in Peoria.
We’re not just teaching our students, we’re shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Core Curriculum at Peoria Kindergarten
Building on our strong foundation in early education, we’ve designed a core curriculum for our kindergarten students that combines rigorous academics with hands-on, interactive learning experiences. Our aim is to create well-rounded, lifelong learners who are prepared for the challenges of the future.
In our kindergarten, we emphasize the development of key skills in literacy and numeracy. We’ve integrated engaging activities into our curriculum to enhance students’ reading, writing, and mathematical abilities. We believe that these foundational skills are crucial for students’ ongoing academic success.
We’ve also prioritized a balanced curriculum that includes art, music, and physical education. These activities aren’t just fun – they also teach important lessons about creativity, teamwork, and healthy living. Our CONNECTed curriculum brings in a unique aspect, including agriculture/cooking and typing/coding, providing our students with practical skills that can be applied in real-world situations.
In addition, we utilize our outdoor classroom for innovative, hands-on learning experiences. This engaging environment allows our students to connect with nature while reinforcing academic concepts.
We’re proud of our small class sizes, which allow for individualized attention and a greater focus on each student’s unique learning needs. At St. Mary’s School, we’re committed to providing a comprehensive, engaging, and meaningful kindergarten education.
Social and Personal Growth Opportunities
Fostering social and personal growth in our students, we offer a wide array of opportunities at St. Mary’s School. We believe in small class sizes, maintaining a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. This ensures individualized attention, allowing us to understand and cater to each child’s unique needs and potential.
Our curriculum extends beyond academics. We incorporate programs like Art, Band, Music, and Theater to ignite creativity and teamwork. These activities encourage students to express themselves, enhancing their self-confidence and social skills.
Additionally, our outdoor classroom offers hands-on learning experiences, promoting curiosity and exploration. We also offer athletics for boys and girls, fostering a spirit of healthy competition and cooperation. These physical activities not only build strength and endurance but also teach valuable life lessons of resilience and sportsmanship.
Extracurricular activities like Chess Club, Band & Music, and Student Council offer further opportunities for leadership and collaboration. These experiences enrich our students’ personal growth and social awareness, preparing them for future success.
At St. Mary’s, we don’t just educate. We inspire, engage, and challenge our students to become well-rounded individuals, ready to make their mark in the world.
Faith-Based Learning Environment
While nurturing personal and social growth remains a key goal, we also place immense importance on spiritual development, creating a faith-based learning environment for our students. At St. Mary’s School, we believe that faith isn’t just a subject, but a way of life that permeates all areas of learning and activity.
Our faith-based learning environment is built on three cornerstones:
1. Liturgy: We incorporate religious services and celebrations into our school calendar, making them integral parts of our school community.
2. Sacrament: Our students regularly participate in sacraments, fostering their spiritual growth and deepening their connection with their faith.
3. Service: We instill the value of selfless service in our students, encouraging them to live out their faith by helping others.
In this environment, children learn to see the world through the lens of faith, developing a strong moral compass that will guide them throughout their lives. They learn to respect and value all of God’s creation, fostering a sense of stewardship and responsibility for the world.
We believe that by integrating faith into our curriculum, we’re nurturing not just educated minds, but also compassionate hearts and responsible citizens.
Joining the St. Mary’s Community
At St. Mary’s School, we welcome you to join our small but vibrant community where faith, learning, and service come together. Our PreK-8th grade programs nurture individual excellence with a 12:1 student/teacher ratio. We offer a diverse curriculum including Art, Band, Music and Theater programs, alongside our unique outdoor classroom and athletics for boys and girls.
What sets us apart is our commitment to providing each child with individualized attention. Our innovative CONNECTed curriculum includes Agriculture/Cooking, STEM Learning, Physical Education, and Typing/Coding, providing a well-rounded education.
Beyond academics, we encourage participation in extracurriculars such as Art & Theater, Athletics, Band & Music, Chess Club, and Student Council.
Our mission is to engage, challenge, and inspire students, offering a quality education rooted in Catholic traditions. We strive to create lifelong learners and confident individuals. Our three cornerstones – liturgy, sacrament, and service – provide a strong foundation for our youth, helping them build meaning in their lives.
We warmly invite you to visit us, contact us, or follow us to learn more about joining the St. Mary’s community.
At St. Mary’s School, we’re proud to offer a dynamic, engaging kindergarten experience in Peoria. Our unique curriculum balance ensures your child gets a holistic education, fostering both academic and personal growth. Our faith-based environment further enriches the learning experience. So, if you’re ready to join a community that truly cares about your child’s future, we’re here to welcome you. Let’s set your child on a journey of lifelong learning and discovery together.