Kindergarten

Below is a list of 2008-09 forms and information for K students. All forms are due in the office by August 1, 2008. Students may not start School without a completed General Information Form on file.

Students in Highland School’s Kindergarten program are housed in the Chilton Building. There are two classes of 17 students each. With a certified teacher and assistant in each section, students enjoy a low student teacher ratio and individualized instruction.

The Kindergarten curriculum includes phonemic awareness activities, the Open Court phonics-based reading program, a language experience approach to writing, hands-on math using the Addison-Wesley textbook, Science and Social Studies instruction, journal writing and use of the "Handwriting Without Tears" program.

Students study a variety of topics throughout the year. They include: families, autumn, Mexico, Thanksgiving, Native Americans, Christmas, frogs, China, Presidents, Africa, wind, Ireland, insects and gardens.

In addition to the core curriculum, students enjoy many special area classes. Kindergarten students study one semester of Spanish and one of French twice weekly. Sports class meets three times each week, along with twice weekly music and art classes. Students also attend computer lab once a week, guidance once a week and library class once a week.

Kindergarteners present a class play at the end of the School year, participate in weekly assemblies with fellow students in the Lower School and perform in the Winter Holiday and Grandparents Day programs. The Kindergarten students also take several field studies throughout the year. Students are paired with fourth grade reading buddies who visit Kindergarten once a week to read. The Parent Buddy Reader program is also available to assist students at all reading levels.

Students in the Kindergarten classes are paired with a member of the senior class for different activities throughout the year. The group walks together to Convocation early in the year and meets for lunch several times.

Kindergarten students are assessed for letter/sound knowledge at the beginning and end of the year. The STAR early literacy program and CTOPP test are also used to assess phonological awareness and pre-reading skills. Resource assistance is available for students in need of one-on-one and/or small group instruction.

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