Four Turning Five Year Olds with a Pre-K Curriculum

The Fours Class size is held to ten or fewer children, led by a head teacher and an assistant teacher. The 1:5 ratio is a nice bonus for this age right before heading off to kindergarten, as it allows the children to work in small groups and also receive extra attention from the teachers! The two Fours classes meet four days a week (Monday - Thursday). The children are given a well-rounded Pre-K curriculum that fully prepares them for kindergarten. A letter study each week with art projects, cooking lessons, and play are all geared around that letter. The children are immersed in the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make, which creates a solid foundation for reading. SMP uses the Handwriting Without Tears program, which provides the foundation for proper letter formation to prepare children for the NCPS Fundation Reading Program. Additionally, the Fours classes focus on developing math and science skills, community awareness, and social skills as well as enrichment in the arts including physical activities, music, art, and dramatic play.

Twice a week, the children stay for an extended day.  Led by two teachers, the program offers children from the Fours class a chance to eat lunch together, enjoy additional discovery and play, and also prepares students for the longer kindergarten days ahead.

Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon September through May, with extended days Mondays and Wednesdays until 1:55 p.m.

The High Five Friday Club: An optional fifth day
The "High Five Friday Club" provides a variety of activities, stories, crafts and games, designed to further the child's social and emotional growth.  The children practice skills that aid in their growth, self-awareness and understanding of the world around them. Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Extra Enrichment Opportunities:
St. Mark's Preschool hosts many resources to provide extra enrichment following school dismissal, eliminating the need for an additional drop-off. These have included Soccer on the Great Lawn and Karate in Morrill Hall. The classes offered change according to the interests of the children and parents.