Kindergarten: The Foundation for all Future Education

 SCCS’s Kindergarten teachers, Jan Dennis and Kelly Steinbock, work hard to give their students the basics in reading and math, teach them the importance of God’s Word, and briefly introduce them to Social Studies, Science and Art/Music.
“Kindergarten is the foundation for all future education,” said SCCS Administrator Mr. Huckabone. “It’s important to get it right.”
Reading and writing are important first steps. Kindergarteners are taught the alphabet, learning the names of the letters, the sounds they make (phonics), and how to write them. By the end of the year they are reading simple stories in chapter books.
“Our phonics program is excellent,” said Mrs. Steinbock. “It gives the kids confidence in their reading.  Later, when they come across a long word they don’t know, they don’t freeze up; they know how to sound it out.”
Jason Cooper’s son Jackson excelled in Kindergarten last year and especially in the subject of reading. “Jackson is reading much bigger words compared to many of his friends,” said Jason. “There is a lot of one-on-one attention.”
Math is another “graded” subject. Kindergarteners are taught simple concepts first, like   “same/different” and “alone/between/ next to.” They’re taught to recognize two­ and three-dimensional shapes, and patterns. They learn to count by marking off days on a calendar, eagerly anticipating the “100-Day Party.” By graduation, they can perform simple calculations like adding and “take away” of single digits.
In Science, children learn about the earth and sky, plants and animals, and recycling. In Social Studies they learn about Community Helpers and the Countries of the World.
SCCS Kindergarteners are also taught Bible stories and memorize a Bible verse each week. “Mrs. Steinbock was constantly teaching from a Christian worldview,” said Jason. “I know from personal experience that down the road, when Jackson gets older, what he learns now will affect him later.”
All Kindergarteners also have the opportunity to play soccer, basketball and flag football on the school’s Pee Wee athletics teams.
With a low student-to-teacher ratio, competitive sports for grades K-12, Advanced Placement classes and full and half day Kindergarten programs, SCCS partners with families to help produce students who are prepared to make a difference in the world for God. Every year, SCCS students continue to add to the list of acceptances into the nation’s top universities.
Mark your calendars! To register for SCCS Shadow Day or Kindergarten Preview Day call 661-252-7371. Visit www.sccs.cc or www.facebook.com/SantaClaritaChristianSchool.