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3, 4, & 5
Must be 3 by August 1st of the academic year and potty trained
Capped at 16
Three sections of mixed age groups with one full-time faculty and one part-time assistant
Half day pick up available at 1:00 p.m.
6
Polo top with Summit logo & khaki/navy bottoms
Minimum of 30 minutes exploring outside each day
Art
Music
Yoga & Movement
Daily Spanish
STEM
The Independent School Association of the Central States (ISACS)
The Summit Preparatory School’s Early Learners program serves preschool children (ages 3, 4, 5) in Springfield, MO and the surrounding areas. Unlike traditional daycare settings, our private independent school program is dedicated to academic excellence in early childhood education. Through a progressive curriculum, we engage young learners in hands-on activities, encouraging observation, active participation, and decision-making. Our approach emphasizes the holistic development of each child, providing a solid educational and social-emotional foundation for kindergarten and beyond.
In our nurturing multi-age environment, children explore, wonder, play, and create, developing vital social skills and building confidence. The program promotes group collaboration, instilling a sense of belonging and shared enthusiasm for learning. Themes and thought-provoking questions guide children through language arts, social studies, and STEM concepts, facilitating language, cognitive, and physical development. As children delve into important concepts, they not only prepare for the next educational steps but also cultivate a love for learning that extends into our elementary program.
Our multi-age early childhood program is designed for children ages 3 through 5.
Students must be at least 3 years old by August 1st of the academic year for which they are applying.
As a condition of enrollment, students in the Early Learners program must be fully potty trained by the first day of class.
We follow a progressive early childhood curriculum focusing on academic excellence, hands-on activities, and holistic child development. As a private independent school, our faculty have the freedom to cultivate a dynamic and engaging curriculum built on best practices and research-based evidence.
Progressive education is an educational philosophy that emphasizes student-centered learning, critical thinking, and holistic development. It focuses on adapting teaching methods to each students’ needs, fostering creativity, and promoting social responsibility. Progressive education values experiential learning, collaboration, and active engagement, aiming to prepare students for a dynamic and evolving world.
Click here to learn more about progressive education at The Summit.
Our preschool program is designed to build a solid foundation for your child’s education and social-emotional growth, setting the stage for a seamless transition to kindergarten and beyond. Our dedicated faculty nurture children through engaging hands-on activities focusing on Language and Literacy, Cognitive Development, the Development of Inquiry, Physical Development and Wellness, Affective Development (Social-Emotional), and Aesthetic Development (the Arts) to ensure a well-rounded and enriching experience for our students.
We maintain a low teacher-to-student ratio (8:1) to ensure individualized attention and a supportive learning environment. Each section is capped at sixteen students and employs one full-time lead teacher and one part-time assistant teacher. Students also receive specialized instruction from our Spanish, art, music, STEM, and yoga faculty.
Yes, we encourage parental involvement through regular updates on our classroom blogs, school events, classroom celebrations, and opportunities to participate in our parent organization.
Our daily schedule includes a balance of structured learning activities, playtime, meal and snack times, outdoor exploration, and rest to cater to the overall development of the child.
We offer schedule options to accommodate the diverse needs of families. Students may be picked up at 1:00 p.m. (half day), 3:30 p.m. (full day), or participate in our before and aftercare program. Before care is available on a drop-in basis from 7:30-8:30 a.m., and aftercare is available 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Ensuring the safety of our students is a top priority, and we have stringent safety protocols in place, including trained staff, secure facilities, and regular age-appropriate safety drills.
We regularly assess and communicate your child’s developmental milestones through varied assessments, progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences each trimester.
We offer varied optional extracurricular activities to complement the core curriculum and provide additional early childhood enrichment opportunities. Extracurricular activities for preschool have included soccer, ballet, sign language, book club, and more.
Prospective families are encouraged to register for our Jr. Camp Raven summer program for students entering preschool through kindergarten. Led by enthusiastic instructors, our engaging camp sessions center around themes in art, music, movement, STEM, and more, providing a vibrant and enriching experience for our youngest learners. Click here for more information on Camp Raven.
Details regarding the admission process, criteria, and any required documentation can be found on our website here or by contacting our admissions office.
We are currently accepting admissions applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. Assessments are scheduled annually in February with enrollment contracts extended to new families in March. After space in a class is filled, families seeking to enroll will be placed in a waitpool and contacted as space becomes available. Please contact the admissions office for any questions related to The Summit’s admissions process.
Looking to schedule a tour, ask a question, or request more information? Fill out our contact form to get in touch with us.
