Class format and structure are similar. Both classes include a mix of large-group,  small-group and individual instruction. Both classes engage in an exciting around the  world tour. Pre-K builds on concepts, skills and behaviors that were introduced in  Preschool and adds new concepts. 

Junior Kindergarten works toward mastery of concepts and continues to increase  behavioral expectations. The goal of Junior Kindergarten is to help children transition  from a more flexible and play-oriented early childhood setting to a more structured  learning environment in preparation for future academic success. 

In Junior Kindergarten, students may still be working toward the skills, confidence  and behavioral expectations for success in Kindergarten. The lower student teacher  ratio enables more individual instruction and a supportive and nurturing environment  helps foster independence. 

Kindergarten lays the foundation for formal education by increasing the depth and  complexity of curriculum and introducing a more structured academic approach. Instruction is generally presented to the whole class, supplemented by some small  group instruction. Kindergarten students should be ready to listen and learn well in a  group setting, follow more detailed instructions, and complete self help tasks and  daily responsibilities without adult support.   

No, children may attend either or both in succession. ACP progresses steadily in both  content and classroom expectations to prepare students to step into kindergarten with both  the confidence and skills for a smooth transition. The Preschool, Pre-K, Junior Kindergarten  progression offers a gentle slope up to full readiness, but it’s not required.  

• Children with summer or early fall birthdays 

• Four year olds who are ready for “more” and are prepared for an earlier transition to  kindergarten may go straight to Junior Kindergarten without attending Pre-K

• Five year olds who would benefit from the gift of time - a more gradual ramp up to  kindergarten 

• Children who: 

-struggle with letter recognition, phonics, or listening 

-seem less mature than peers socially or emotionally 

-struggle to focus or handle feelings  

-show delays in speech, language, or motor skills 

-transition slowly to new routines or get overwhelmed easily 

-need to grow in independence  

Yes. Because the whole class attends four days, the class is able to move at a faster  pace, without the need to circle back and repeat material that has already been  introduced. This enables Junior Kindergarten to add content and increase the depth  and complexity of concepts. There is a greater focus on academics, with more formal  pre-reading, writing, math and critical thinking skills.  

Our goal is to prepare children for the more formal learning environment they will  encounter in kindergarten and help each child to step in with the skills and confidence  to be successful. 

Children who don’t seem to “break a sweat” in kindergarten are well-prepared to  attend to the teacher, listen and follow instructions, manage emotions, use fine motor  skills to practice cursive strokes and work math problems, and complete  responsibilities independently. They have a solid social, emotional, academic,  physical, and spiritual foundation.  

Here’s an analogy: You are learning to ski and you watch with amazement as your  accomplished skier friends carve down the mountain with ease. You are sweating  profusely and spending a great deal of energy just staying upright. It crosses your  mind, “Maybe I should have taken a lesson…” 

Readiness keeps the joy of learning alive, just as it should be!