CURRICULUM

The Kindergarten Educational Program utilizes the Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum based on the developmental characteristics of children. The curriculum covers areas in Phonics, Math, Writing and Science leading to the integration of values and religion necessary to reinforce desirable behavior in children. Meaningful opportunities for self expression, development of large and small motor skills are also provided through music, arts, cooking, physical education and free play.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

The medium of instruction may be described as semi-traditional with the combination of tutorial method. Firstly, our approach is semi-traditional because the head teacher provides the information and the motivation for learning to ensure academic competence.

We do not regard the child though, as mere passive recipient of information because opportunities for the discovery method are applied, whenever possible, in Math and Science.

On the other hand, through our small teacher to pupil ratio, we have the luxury to apply the one-on-one tutorial method after the presentation of the common lesson. This method softens the seemingly closed authoritarian mode of the traditional classroom and fulfills the ideal atmosphere of home-school environment where individual attention is provided and the teachers have the time to lovingly nurture each child intellectually and emotionally.

SCHOOL WORK

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are regarded as academic days because common lesson is presented and individually supervised seat works are given.

Fridays are Arts and P.E. days. This is the day when kids do some simple projects, use the computer, have free play, watch a children’s film, listen to some invited speakers, practice for some program, have mini presentations in school or celebrate a birthday party. Sometimes though the first half of the period is used to review or accomplish left over activity sheets.
The scheduled day for Arts and PE may vary from class to class.

Please note, however, that Art Classes are sometimes interrupted to give way to academic classes if classes are suspended. Please note further that every quarter, one Friday is used for the distribution of Report Cards and Parent Teacher conferences, thus classes are suspended.

Assignments are given every Friday through an UPDATE which also lists topics taken up that week and new topics to be taken up the following week. For purposes of updating the parents on what their children have accomplished for the week and to serve as reference material for home review, the update is given. Textbooks, activity sheets or related art works are returned through a folder. This folder is emptied and returned to school every Monday to be filled with activity sheets again and brought home next Friday. Assignments are strictly checked every Monday. Failure to submit assignment on Monday even if the child is absent shall mean “ no assignment.” Consideration will be given to a student who failed to submit his/her assignment on time if said student is seriously ill as supported by a medical certificate.

EVALUATION OF CHILD’S PERFORMANCE

Short quizzes are given every Monday as means of integrating lessons and evaluating which topics need further presentation.

Quarterly tests are given on a one-on-one basis wherein children are required to come on specific schedules during testing day.

Progress Report Cards are given four times during the school year.

The Progress Report Card is divided into three categories namely: Cognitive Development (with subcategories on Reading Readiness and Number Readiness), Motor Development, and Socio-Emotional Development.

The Socio-Emotional Development aspect is evaluated using the following descriptions:

A- Always
M- Most of the time
S- Sometimes
N- Never

The other categories are evaluated using the following descriptions:

O- Outstanding (Has mastered the skills)
VS- Very Satisfactory (Making Rapid Progress)
S- Satisfactory (Making Average Progress)
MS- Moderate Satisfactory (Making Minimum Progress)
NI- Needs Improvement (Having Difficulty)
- Not presented that Quarter

Numerical grades or unit interval grading system with numerical equivalents are not used
because at the Kindergarten Level, it cannot be concluded that one child is excellent in academic performance than the other with mere score in a test because of such factors as individual differences in developmental pace and readiness. This kind of grading system also puts pressure on the child early in life which defeats the purpose of making their Kinder experience enjoyable which is foremost in establishing a good foundation. The numerical grading system is however used for the Preparatory Level.

Exemption for the Fourth Quarterly exam shall be granted to Kinder and Nursery students with a general average of at least 85% from First to Fourth Quarter without a grade of MS in the Report Card from the previous quarters.