Preschool Curriculum

In keeping with the Diocesan Schools standards, the preschool curriculum is based upon the philosophy of The Creative Curriculum. This is a hands-on approach to learning where the classroom is designed to promote learning through exploration. Learning centers are set up, and materials are provided to foster the growth and education of each child at their own developmental pace.

Realizing each child was created uniquely, all of our children are exposed each day to a variety of age/developmentally appropriate activities to promote growth in all domains of development: spiritual, cognitive, social-emotional, and physical. A combination of teacher-directed and child-selected activities are offered within a daily framework and schedule to ensure that your child’s self-esteem is fostered on a daily basis in a risk-free nurturing environment. Classroom activities provide opportunities for the child’s self-expression as well as building autonomy and independence. Part of each day is spent in small and large group activities as well as individual learning opportunities.

Using an integrated thematic approach, weekly themes and daily activities are provided to help cultivate a positive Catholic identity within your child’s soul, as well as promoting advancement within his mind. In preparation for more formal education, language development, reading readiness, math concepts, and problem solving skills are explored, built upon, and developed to meet the developmental level of each child.

Handwriting Without Tears is used in our Mini 3’s and PreK classes to ensure your child’s success with fine motor skills and alphabet knowledge to better prepare them for kindergarten. In addition, our program utilizes MacMillan/McGraw-Hill's Treasures curriculum for Language Arts. Music, Art, and Physical Education are also incorporated into our curriculum on a daily basis.

Catholic Christian values are emphasized throughout the day with special time set aside for daily prayer. All classes begin and end with prayer, both traditional Catholic prayers as well as personal prayers. For moral and character development, specific Fruits of the Spirit are spotlighted throughout the year. We would also like to invite you to attend our daily Courtyard Prayers with your child, in which we will gather as a faith based community to show our thanks to God for all of His blessings. This takes place in our inner courtyard at 9am. In addition, our students will visit the church for prayer, religious teachings, and Eucharistic Adoration. To further develop their Catholic foundation, part of our student’s daily curriculum incorporates stories and activities from a weekly newsletter they receive, Seeds. Since these activities are based on the liturgy of the week, we encourage families to review this material with your child prior to attending Sunday mass together.

In addition to the aforementioned preschool programs, The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is also utilized for your child’s religious formation. This program takes place in a room specifically designed to induce the quiet meditative persona required for their “hearts to hear” His word. We call this room our Atrium. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a simple and effective Christian message presented to our children. Great truths are placed before the children in ways they can touch, feel, absorb, and understand. The Atrium is a place of prayer, in which work and study spontaneously become meditation, contemplation, and prayer.

Our staff aims to work with you in educating your child on the importance of what it really means to be a disciple of God, and to serve and love one another. We will strive to help your child become aware of his/her unique place in God's heart, by teaching life-long skills based on respect, appreciation for multi-cultural diversity, and civic responsibility. With your assistance, we will make available opportunities for your child to practice stewardship within St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, his/her family, and our faith-based community.

Information and education is available to all families regarding best practice and curriculum at all stages and ages of development.