PREPARING FOR AN adventure
Finding the right school is about discovering the right fit for your child’s unique personality, developmental stage, and family needs. This guide will simplify your journey as you take this exciting first step.
At Steward, the early childhood experience is designed to meet the developmental needs of four- through six-year-olds, as well as challenge them intellectually, nurture them emotionally, and prepare them for a lifelong love of learning.
Each student is engaged on a deeply individual level. Through intentional opportunities to play, research, investigate, problem-solve, build, and reflect, students' natural curiosity is fostered, and the foundation for rigorous academics is set.
Our program also provides children with time to develop skills that will serve them well for the rest of their lives, such as mindfulness, empathy, responsibility, and stewardship. Plus, thanks to small class sizes, teachers can provide students with differentiated learning pathways and adaptive instruction.
BeckyGroves, M.Ed.
Director of Lower School
Master of Education, University of Virginia
“At Steward each student is known as an individual. Our greatest joy is nurturing each child’s growth over time, as they gradually unfold into the people they are meant to be.”
- Becky Groves
“"Engaging in structured play allows children to build early literacy, math, and language skills, alongside critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, play promotes social-emotional development, helping children cultivate self-regulation, confidence, and meaningful friendships.”
- Dr Yaa Agyekum
Assistant Director of Lower School / Director of the Center for the Advancement of Learning
Ed.D., Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership, College of William & Mary
Becky Groves (director of Lower School) and Dr. Yaa Agyekum (assistant director of Lower School/director of the Center for the Advancement of Learning) and a team of dedicated faculty collaborate to ensure that students explore, grow, and actively participate in all facets of campus life.
ASKING THE RIGHT questions
When evaluating early childhood programs, Mrs. Groves and Dr. Agyekum recommend parents look for the following:
research-backed strategies that allow learning through guided play an evidence-based curriculum support for your child's social-emotional development a school that encourages children to be well-rounded academically and socially
Parents of prospective JK/K Steward students often inquire about age requirements, readiness, daily schedules, and our teaching methods. We're here to help! We have answers to FAQ online about the application process and school life, and additional helpful information is found throughout this guide.
The Steward Junior Kindergarten Experience:
Within the Classroom
Ourjuniorkindergartenprogramchallengesandsupportschildrenina loving,nurturingcommunity.
Pre-literacylessonsbuildfoundationalskillsinalphabetknowledge, phonologicalawareness,printconcepts,andorallanguage.
NaturePlayoccursdailyandservesasadirectbridgeinto kindergartenreadingandwritingworkshops.
Earlymathinstructionincludesnumberrecognition0-10,shapes, patterns,andmeasurement.
The Steward Kindergarten Experience: Within
the Classroom
Our kindergarten program deepens academic foundations from junior kindergarten while continuing to foster a lifelong love of learning.
Throughastructuredliteracyapproach,kindergartenstudentsstrengthentheir phonicsskills.Keycomponentsincluderecognizingallletters(bothcapitaland lowercase),identifyingcorrespondingsounds,andwritingone-syllablewordswith increasingunderstandingofspellingpatterns(consonant/vowel/consonantwords).
OurprogramutilizestheInstituteforMulti-SensoryEducation's(IMSE)curriculum basedontheOrton-Gillingham(OG)approach amulti-sensorymethodcombining sight,hearing,touch,andmovement.
Studentsutilizetheirexpandingunderstandingofhowwordsworktoreadinearly decodabletexts.Thereadingenvironmentisenrichedthroughread-aloudsandother opportunitiestoengagewithtext.
Mathinstructionisfocusedonbuildingastrongnumbersenseforstudentsasthey developanunderstandingofpatterns(addition/subtraction)ofnumbers0-10and identificationofnumbers0-100.
The Steward Expe Beyond the Classr
Our junior kindergarten and kindergarten program challenges and supports children in a loving, nurturing community.
EachdaybeginswithaMorningMeeti community,practicemindfulness,and calendarandmathconcepts. Learningextendsinto“specials”class PE,Art,Music,Theatre(beginsinK),S Technology/ComputationalThinking,andCharacter Education.
EveryJK/KstudentispairedwithanUpperSchool seniorfortheyearthroughourbuddyprogram.They teamupatschoolevents,includingConvocationand ourThanksgivingProgram,andatanumberofgettogethersthroughouttheyear.Seniorsserveas informalmentors,andallbuddiesbenefitfromthe friendshipandempathythattheprogramencourages.
Studentsutilizeour37-acrecampus,includingour BryanInnovationLabandgardens,forhands-on learningexperiencesandnatureplay.Ouroutdoor explorersventureoutsideforlearningthat incorporatesthewondersofthenaturalworld.Nature playisintegratedintothescheduleandalsoofferedto familiesafterschoolonThursdays.
Our Spartan parents make the JK/K experience extra special. We love when parents are part of Spartan life!
RESOURCES FOR parents & students
The Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL)
Steward's CAL is available to help our youngest Spartans through tutoring, Occupational Therapy, speech services, and other learning support methods.
Enrichment Classes
Throughout the year, we offer six-week sessions of afterschool enrichment classes. They include cooking, art, science, sports and more.
AfterSchool Care
We know parents are busy and we are here to help! AfterSchool Care is available from 3:10-6 p.m. every day that school is in session and from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. on half days.
Summer Experience
The fun and learning continue in the summer! Steward families receive priority registration for our popular summer program, which includes half- and full-day camps.
Junior Kindergarten Readiness
Students entering our junior kindergarten program should be able to:
Children must be age 4 by August 31 to apply for junior kindergarten and age 5 by August 31 to apply to kindergarten at Steward.
Beinthebeginningstagesofletterandnumberformation
Usepencils/crayonstowrite/colorwithsomelevelofcontrol Usescissorstocutappropriately
Followone-totwo-stepdirectionsandtransitionbetween tasks
Managebasicself-care(puttingonajacket,openinglunch items,carryingpersonalitemssuchasawaterbottle)
Usetherestroomindependently
Expresstheirneeds/wantsclearly
Engageinage-appropriateinteractionswiththeirpeers Makeitthroughafull,structuredday
Kindergarten Readiness
Students entering our kindergarten program should also be able to:
Learnproductivelywithothersintheclassroom
Engageinpositiveage-appropriatepeer interactions
Sustainattentionforanage-appropriateamount oftime
Recognizeamajorityofthelettersofthe alphabetwhenpresentedascapitalletters
Haveanearlyunderstandingoftheconnection betweenlettersandsounds
Identifynumbers0-10
