Programs That Grow with Your Child

The Two Year Program

Improved verbalization and increased socialization skills can be expected from children enrolled in these play groups. Action songs, finger plays, learning toys to strengthen gross motor skills and specialized curriculum materials will be used to enhance development. Sharing and positive interaction with age-mates and other adults is also stressed. The children will paint, work with puppets, clay and other craft materials, listen to stories, and meet with the Music and Physical Education Teachers weekly. Seasonal art projects, units on Colors and Shapes, Safety, and Transportation (including Big Wheel Day), are just some of the lively activities that enhance each class day.

The roster for each class of 14 is developed through a chronological distribution of all enrollees as older, intermediate, or younger. Separate playgrounds and facilities are provided for these students. [top]

The Three Year Old Program

Emphasis with the gentle and cooperative Three Year Old is on desirable social and emotional development. Pre-academic pursuits include recognition of a child’s name, colors, shapes, beginning numbers as well as patterning and sequencing. The teachers offer both small and large group as well as one-on-one instruction adjusted to the child’s interests and abilities. Games and creative craftwork help to achieve and integrate the curriculum goals. On-campus field trips and visitors also provide interesting experiences for the children to discuss.

The dialogic pre-reading series trains children in the oral/aural approach which is how language and reading acquisition is best addressed at an early age. The program leads beautifully into the more formal 4 year old curriculum which adds written word to the spoken work. Seamless instruction in this area truly enhances early literacy as well as creating an environment where reading is embraced and celebrated.

The classroom environment is secure, loving and cheerful as students learn to work and play together. In addition to the Lead Teacher and Teaching Assistant, the Music and Physical Education resource Teachers meet weekly with each class of 16 children. Art and Spanish instruction are also provided for students in 4 and 5 day programs.

Note: Students must be completely toilet trained prior to starting class. Start soon! This is a sanitation and health issue as the Three Year Old Program’s rooms are not equipped for diaper changing. [top]

Four Year Program

Classes for this age group focus on personal maturation, appropriate classroom behavior, following directions and mastering the developmental tasks that ready the child for successful academic work. Age-appropriate goals include encouraging self-management skills and relationships through positive social interaction and creative dramatics. Since Four Year Olds are usually lively, adventurous, passionate children, ample opportunities to explore and create are integrated with fundamental skill work in name writing, number skills, letter recognition, beginning phonics and social studies units. Even the delightful reading readiness program, Happily Ever After, and Math Their Way activities allow the child’s vivid imagination and sense of discovery to blossom.

The classrooms are bright and filled with stimulating toys and items to encourage imaginative play. In addition to the Lead Teacher and Teaching Assistant, the Music, Art and Physical Education Resource Teachers meet weekly with each class of 16 children. [top]

Kindergarten Program

Innumerable activities and materials from craft sticks to computers to current events will be used to implement the Kindergarten Program. Each Kindergarten class utilizes the teaching talents of both a lead teacher as well as a teaching assistant in a class of 16 students. The Wood Acres School offers an unparalleled academic approach to these major areas of concentration:

Language Arts: Stresses the four communication skills of active listening, effective speaking, legible writing, and meaningful reading including foundational readiness work in phonics with encoding and decoding

Mathematics: Approached through set theory with in-depth understanding and daily use of numbers, numerical concepts and applications as well as problem solving

Perceptual and Conceptual Development: Stimulates thinking and reasoning skills as well as general knowledge through Social Studies and Physical Science.

Social Development: Encouraging a healthy attitude and a greater ability to work with and understand others. This includes personal growth goals such as courtesy and conduct. [top]

The Grammar School & The Upper School

Our excellent staff is free to enjoy teaching, communicating, and maintaining a warm, open academic atmosphere, which fosters maximum growth and learning in all individuals. If childhood is meant to be a preparation for life, then we highly recommend a campus visit where parents can see this concept in action! Specific questions about textbooks, daily schedules, and other details can be answered at that time.

Many educators and parents realize that successful grammar school and upper school experiences in a secure environment are vital to a child’s future achievement. Creating a unique program of personal growth, basic skill mastery and enrichment that is of lasting benefit to grammar and upper school students has been our promise and pleasure.

The Wood Acres School has long believed that there is a great need in our community for independent quality programs that are exciting, flexible, and accountable. We have designed a curriculum of high expectations that can meet the needs of a variety of students. The best and most comprehensive published materials, the individual attention, and the depth of study found in the private classroom are ideal for the exceptionally talented student. Likewise, the structured, serene family setting and low adult-child ratios minimize distractions and enhance the focus of any young learner. We offer an ideal class size of 16 students which is balanced by gender and learning styles. [top]

The Tree House Club

The Tree House Club is the extended day program at Wood Acres. Reasonably priced and available for enrolled children before or after regular school hours, the Tree House Club offers supervised time for play, special activities, Chess, Computer Lab, and study time. As our facilities continue to grow, we will be expanding our selection of programs to include drama, home economics, tumbling, dance, and after school sports. [top]

“Specials” Curriculum

The Wood Acres School makes a focused effort to provide a well-rounded education. Traditional academics are supplemented with special programs in Spanish, Computers, PE, Music, and Art. All of our special classes are taught by specialists and meet 1-2 times per week. [top]

Summer Program

Wood Acres offers an imaginative and creative summer camp for children three to nine years of age during June, July and August. Campers need not be students at Wood Acres in order to participate. The program runs for eight weeks with scheduled events that always follow an exciting weekly theme.

Information on Wood Acres Summer Camp will be available in March 2008. Please contact the school office at 770.971.1880 for a brochure or further details. [top]