Overview

The St. Viator School Early Childhood program instills confidence, independence, curiosity and a love of learning in our youngest students. Our 3 and 4-year-old preschool programs provide a solid foundation and a nurturing environment for social, emotional and academic development. Students entering Kindergarten are ready to learn.

 

The preschool programs utilize hands-on learning to develop the entire child – mind, body, and spirit. Students develop their self-help skills to build their independence and personal pride. They are encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussions during class.

 

The Experience

Preschool students have an age-appropriate educational experience similar to our older students

• Classroom Learning​

  • Evaluated and Recognized

    • Office of Catholic Schools

    • Illinois State Board of Education

    • Students assessed against State Standards​​​

• "Specials" classes

  • Physical Education (Gym) twice a week​

  • Media Studies in the computer lab

  • Library

  • Music

  • World Language with Spanish Teacher

• Religion

  • Age-appropriate​

  • Accessible

  • Daily Prayers

    • start of the day​

    • snack time

    • lunch

  • Preschool Prayer Services​

    • 4 times a year​

    • tailored to preschool students

 

3 Year Old Preschool Curriculum

St. Viator School is the first classroom experience for many of our "PreK 3" students. We focus on making their introductions to new teachers, new friends and classroom structure positive experiences. Through the Peace Builder Program, we teach our students, starting with the preschoolers, kindness, respect for others, and compassion. Throughout our Early Childhood instruction, we foster a sense of independence and high self-esteem.

 

Academic concepts include:

• Name & letter recognition and formation

• Auditory & visual discrimination

• Listening comprehension

• Memory recall

• Literature appreciation

• Recognition of colors

• Number recognition, counting and grouping objects

• Shapes, patterns, & sequencing

• Classification and comparison

• Religion

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PreK 3 Class Options:

• Three days (M-W-F) or five days (M-T-W-TH-F) per week; and

• Half-day (7:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) or full-day (7:50 a.m. – 2:55 p.m.) attendance

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4 Year Old Preschool Curriculum​

In PreK 4, students are individually assessed so instruction best serves their needs. Students review and reinforce the skills and concepts they previously learned. They have hands-on activities and an opportunity to connect with different learning styles that make lessons fun yet still meaningful. Children are encouraged to discover their independence and natural talents, guided to make positive choices, and follow and understand rules in preparation for Kindergarten.

 

Academic concepts  include:​

• Frog Street Curriculum - scope and sequence for lessons

  • Math

    • Graphing​

    • Measurement

    • Position, sequencing, classification, and comparison

  • Science

  • Social Studies

  • Literacy

    • Literature appreciation

    • Story dictation

    • Journal writing/drawing

• Religion

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PreK 4 Class Options:

• Five days (M-T-W-TH-F) per week; and

• Half -day (7:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) or full-day (7:50 a.m. – 2:55 p.m.) attendance

 

Kindergarten Curriculum​

Students continue developing their classroom socialization while expanding their educational experience. Classes are getting more rigorous, and student dress in the School Uniform, just like "the big kids".

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Academic concepts covered in Kindergarten include:

• Learning to read

  • Phonics to Reading Literacy Program

• Developing foundational Math skills

  • iReady Math

• Incorporating Education Technology

  • 1:1 iPad Assignment​

  • Utilizing Lexia and iReady Ed Tech tools

• Religion​

  • Attend weekly Mass with 8th Grade "buddies"

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Schedule:

• Five days (M-T-W-TH-F) per week

• Full-day (7:50 a.m. – 2:55 p.m.) attendance

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Educator Information​

Our Early Childhood classrooms each have a teacher and a teacher’s aide. Preschool classes "cap" at twenty students. The student-to-teacher ratio for preschool does not exceed 10:1. Kindergarten classes cap at 25 students.​​​