Lower School - Program Descriptions

Prekindergarten and Kindergarten
Doane Academy provides an ideal first school experience for prekindergarteners and kindergarteners. In a traditional self-contained classroom, our talented and dedicated teachers guide their young pupils through early explorations of mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. Knowing that young children learn best through play, a portion of the curriculum is hands-on and interactive, integrating the academic disciplines in organized learning centers where children are provided opportunities to reinforce lessons, discover new concepts, and challenge themselves. In addition to developing academic readiness and problem solving skills, we nurture each young student’s social, emotional, language, cognitive, physical, and spiritual development. Through numerous opportunities special attention is given to the development of young children’s self-esteem, independence, and relationship skills.

Curriculum
• Developmentally appropriate
• Respectful of individual learning styles
• Develops academic skills in pre-reading, introductory writing, early math concepts, social studies and science
• Designed to promote a love of learning
• Classes twice a week with specialists in visual art, music, Deportes, and weekly visit to our children's library

Emphasis
• Self-esteem
• Independence
• Individual attention
• Academic readiness
• Social skills
• Communication skills

Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Program Options
Kindergarten at Doane Academy is a full day program (8:30-3:20) that provides an ideal first school experience for a young student. The curriculum is based on the philosophy that children must be nurtured and given every opportunity to experience success.

PreK Full Day (8:30-3:20) The students in this program receive the benefits of the morning program but also experience lunch in the dining hall, story time, afternoon rest, enrichment activities, and an additional special.

PreK Half Day (8:30-12:00) Through careful scheduling, the students in this program would receive all the benefits of the full day prekindergarten program. They will also be invited to attend any special events occurring in the afternoon (trips, field day, author visit, safety programs).

PreK Flexible Day This program would consist of five half days as above with the added choice of 1-4 afternoons. Parents choose the number of afternoons monthly. This allows children, who may not be developmentally ready for a full day in September, the option to increase the number of full days as the year progresses.

What is a typical day like for a PreK or K student at Doane Academy?

First through Sixth Grades
Students in 1st through 3rd grades concentrate on the acquisition and mastery of the basic skills in the core subject areas. In a traditional self-contained classroom, our talented and dedicated teachers lead their students through explorations and studies in mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. In addition to a strong academic program, our teachers nurture the development of the whole child and work to build esteem by valuing each child’s uniqueness. It is the goal of every teacher that each child leaves their classroom a confident, responsible and successful person ready to accept the challenges ahead.

Doane Academy offers 4th through 6th grade students a dynamic and academically challenging program. Building upon the skills and strong foundation established in the lower grades, the 4th-6th grade curriculum stresses the development of oral and written expression, critical thinking, and organizational skills. While computers are present in all Lower School classrooms, it is in the 4th-6th grades that students start to integrate the use of technology into the different subject areas. In preparation for the Upper School course schedule, in which students have a different teacher for each subject; the 6th grade has science with an Upper School teacher in the Upper School Math and Science Building.

Curriculum
• Respectful of individual learning styles
• Develops academic skills in reading, writing, english, math, social studies and science
• Designed to promote a love of learning
• Classes twice a week with specialists in visual art, music, physical education, Spanish and library once a week.

Emphasis
• Mastery of basic skills
• Development of oral and written expression
• Critical thinking
• Organizational skills
• Leadership skills

What’s a typical day like for a 1st-6th grade student?
While the Lower School schedule varies on a daily basis, here is an idea of what a day might be like for a Lower School student at Doane Academy.