Kindergarten

At St. Francis Xavier School, we believe that kindergarten is a foundational time for nurturing a love of learning, fostering personal growth, and cultivating a sense of purpose. Rooted in the Ignatian tradition, our program is dedicated to educating the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—within an environment infused with Jesuit values of reflection, discernment, service, and excellence.

Students must be 5 years old by September 1st of the year they will enter Kindergarten. Each Kindergarten class has a full time teacher's aide to provide support in the classroom.

Educating the Whole Child

In these early years, children are naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them. Our approach embraces a holistic educational model that honors each child’s unique gifts and promotes growth across all dimensions of their being. By grounding our teaching in the five core elements of Ignatian pedagogy—context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation—we aim to shape students who are compassionate, thoughtful, and ready to live as “Kids for Others.”

MIND

In kindergarten, we lay the foundation for intellectual curiosity and academic success. Through engaging activities that encourage exploration, critical thinking, and problem-solving, we foster a love of learning. Our curriculum builds literacy and numeracy skills, while also encouraging creativity and imagination, helping children gain confidence in their intellectual abilities.

BODY

Physical development is essential to growth in kindergarten. Our program provides opportunities for active learning through physical education, outdoor play, and hands-on activities that strengthen both fine and gross motor skills. We emphasize the importance of healthy habits and teach students to care for and respect their bodies as gifts from God.

SPIRIT

Spiritual development is at the heart of our Jesuit mission. We guide students in cultivating a personal relationship with God through daily prayer, participation in Mass, and service opportunities. We inspire them to see the world through the lens of gratitude and awe for God’s creation. The principles of cura personalis (care for the whole person) and Magis (striving for excellence) guide our students’ spiritual and moral growth, helping them seek meaning and purpose in all they do.

Curriculum

Language arts

St. Francis Xavier utilizes a language arts program called Amplify. The curriculum for kindergarten offers a comprehensive, research-based approach to early education, designed to engage young learners and foster a love of learning. This curriculum integrates literacy, science, and social-emotional learning through hands-on activities, interactive lessons, and engaging stories that captivate students' imaginations.

By focusing on foundational skills in reading, Amplify ensures that kindergarteners develop critical thinking abilities, build strong communication skills, and grow socially and emotionally in a supportive and dynamic classroom environment. Through the use of technology and innovative teaching methods, Amplify prepares our youngest students for a successful educational journey ahead.

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Math

Eureka Math² for Kindergarten is designed to ignite a love for learning in our youngest students through hands-on, interactive experiences. This program blends foundational math concepts with creative exploration, encouraging children to think critically and solve problems in a fun and engaging way.

Through activities that integrate counting, shapes, patterns, and simple arithmetic, students develop a strong mathematical foundation that sets them up for success in future grades. Our dedicated teachers support each child's growth, ensuring that every student feels confident and excited about their mathematical journey.

Religion

Religious education at St. Francis Xavier is a priority and critical to our school’s mission of forming kids for others. Based on Diocesan curriculum standards and using Ignatian (Jesuit) pedagogy, the religion curriculum helps students learn about their faith and grow closer to God.

Students in Kindergarten learn about the faith in daily religion class using Pflaum Gospel Weekly, a liturgy based program where children learn the faith within the rhythms and seasons of the Liturgical Year.

Kindergarten students also grow in their faith through participation in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program which introduces children to the teachings of the Catholic faith through hands-on activities. Central to the program is the "atrium," a carefully prepared space where children can engage with religious materials, fostering a deeper understanding of scripture, liturgy, and the life of Christ. Through quiet reflection and guided interaction, children develop a personal relationship with God, growing in their faith at their own pace.

Contact

Bridget Martin
Kindergarten Teacher
[email protected]

Holly Meyer
Kindergarten Teacher
[email protected]

Maria Reyes
Kindergarten Teacher
[email protected]