Preschool Entry

The Early Childhood program at Bearrington Academy, which begins at eighteen months old, is the seed of our K - 5th Grade program, in which a love for learning, respect and appreciation for others, and a joyful discovery of each child's own unique gifts, are nurtured and cultivated.

• Toddler applicants must be eighteen months old by August 1 of their entry year.
• PreK2 students must be two years old by September 1 of their entry year.  Students must be at least 75% potty-trained.
• PreK3 students must be two years old by September 1 of their entry year.  Students must be potty-trained to begin school.
• PreK4 students must be four years old by September 1 of their entry year. 
• Junior Kindergarten students must be four years old by May 30 of their entry year.

We evaluate all Early Childhood applicants for development readiness during a morning visit in January or February.

Young children learn best from the satisfaction of hands-on immersion in a variety of experiences.  Letting the children's interests be the engine, academic investigation in the preschool and junior kindergarten is self-paced and fun.  We believe all children are gifted in special ways, and activities are designed to nurture and highlight their individual talents.

As with our K - 5th Grade program, the Early Childhood Department  focuses on a balanced program with activities that are appropriate for the maturity and readiness of each child and cover all areas of development - social, emotional, academic, and moral.

The work of young children is play, and our teachers provide opportunities to experience this vital activity.  The Golden Rule is the basis by which the preschool and junior kindergarten students learn to get along.  Students participate in daily devotion.

Kindergarten Entry

In addition to children graduating from our preschool program, new applicants are welcomed to Bearrington Academy at kindergarten.  The Kindergarten Program, like the whole of our K - 5th Grade program, nurtures a love of learning in a balanced, supportive atmosphere.

Kindergarten applicants must turn five years old prior to September 1 of their entry year (some exceptions are made occassionally).  We assess each applicant for developmental readiness during a morning evaluation in January and February.

The academic foundations of our kindergarten are mathematics and a strong phonics approach to reading.  Students are offered a variety of multi-sensory experiences such as building with a wide array of manipulatives, moving to music, creating at the art table, and class discussion on a topic to reinforce learning.  Immersion in good literature is a cornerstone of the program.  With an emphasis on self-paced learning, children at Bearrington Academy generally read above the pre-primer level by the end of kindergarten.  All subject areas are taught in kindergarten and students are introduced to Spanish.  Students participate in daily chapel.

Primary

Bearrington Academy's primary program in grades one through three emphasizes success-oriented learning to develop independent learners, critical thinkers, and problem solvers.

Teachers build skills with a blend of whole-class learning and flexible ability grouping.  Enrichment activities challenge students to progress beyond their own level.  As a result, students gain confidence in their abilities and learn to exceed their own expectations.

Development of the report writing and creative composition process, a strong reading program emphasizing reading for information as well are reading for pleasure, and a consistent use of manipulatives in math form the foundation of the curriculum.  Students regularly create multi-discipline projects encompassing core subjects, technology, and art.  Students also study Spanish and participate in local community service programs.

Participation in daily chapel, which focuses on character values, reinforces the balance of heart and mind that is the core of a Bearrington Academy education.

Intermediate Entry

Bearrington Academy's Intermediate and Middle School program is designed for grades four and five, recognizing the significant changes in physical, emotional and intellectual growth that students experience at this age.  We develop student confidence and independence through a skill-and competency-based curriculum and promote interdisciplinary learning with a curriculum that is challenging and exploratory, providing opportunities for students to discover and to develop a variety of interests.

Students in grades four and five are ready for an accelerated curriculum.  Highlights in these grades include various field trips which focus on teamwork and cooperation.  Students also participate in local community service programs.

Our program meets students at their current stage of development and is committed to ensuring their growth.  We seek to engage students in the learning process and encourage them to become independent thinkers.