Shining Stars Academy
Preschool
Making a difference - one child at a time
Programs
"There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children. -Nelson Mandela
Classes
Our classes are focused on a whole-child approach to education and are designed to enrich children through lessons, physical activities, games, art, and music. Hands-on application is implemented as we learn about the world around us and participate in activities that reinforce what we have learned.
3-year olds attend 2 days/week
4-5 year olds attend 3,4, or 5 days/week
Our Kindergarten Prep class is designed to give Preschoolers the ultimate Preschool experience and includes both mixed-age classes and all pre-k classes.
Phonics
Our Phonics Program was developed through extensive research and has been successful in preparing children for Kindergarten and for future success. We have had children as young as age 3 learn to read and have celebrated success in literacy with hundreds of children.
Our Phonics Program is designed to target all four learning types through our lessons, activities, and games. Weekly individual learning sessions build on the knowledge of each child and develop each child at their own rate.
Art in Motion
Our Art in Motion Program is in its second year and provides children the opportunity to express themselves through movement and music. Each month we introduce a new classical music piece during music time and allow children to learn and grow through rhythm, music, and dance.
*A 2016 study at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute found that musical experiences in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills. According to the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM Foundation), learning to play an instrument can improve mathematical learning and even increase SAT scores.
But academic achievement isn’t the only benefit of music education and exposure. Music ignites all areas of child development and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together. Exposing children to music during early development helps them learn the sounds and meanings of words. Dancing to music helps children build motor skills while allowing them to practice self-expression. For children and adults, music helps strengthen memory skills.
In addition to the developmental benefits, simply put: music bring us joy. Just think about listening to a good song in the car with the window down on a beautiful day. That's joy.
Shining Stars Academy is proud to present our Art in Motion Program. Our music time includes singing, dancing and moving. We have been delighted by the success we have seen with the addition of classical music to our music program. Through this implementation of music and movement, children learn freedom of expression, rhythm, movement, and advanced music knowledge of concepts such as instruments, dynamics, and tempo. Parents have the opportunity to see what their children have learned at our periodic performances held throughout the year.
*Information gathered from Bright Horizons
STEAM for the Alphabet
STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
Ten years ago, early education began to place a huge focus on phonics and reading. Shining Stars Academy has been proud to be among the preschools that offer a phonics program, and our program has shown excellent results.
Research is now showing that due to the hyper-focus on reading, upper elementary-age students are showing a significant decline in proficiency in science and math, with only 37% of fourth graders scoring proficient and 1% scoring advanced in the science section of the National Assessment of Education Progress. Further, only 40% of preschools interviewed nationally offered science in any form.
At Shining Stars Academy, we are committed to a balance in education and seek to enrich our students in all areas. We are happy to be among the select schools that offer science lessons EVERY DAY. Students who attend Shining Stars Academy will now experience hands-on STEAM lessons each day that correspond to the letter of the week. Join us as we lead the industry in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics!
Pursuit of Knowledge
This year we are excited to introduce our new Pursuit of Knowledge Program. This innovative program enables children and families to participate in the learning process and encourages discovery and inquiry.
At Shining Stars Academy, it is our goal to help develop a lifelong love of learning. Our Pursuit of Knowledge Program helps foster a love of learning and discovery and has the following benefits: Inspiration, Family Contributions and discussions, and the development of a lifelong love of learning.
Please see the new Pursuit of Knowledge page on our website for more information about this exciting new program.