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Our Programs


Overview

Our curriculum is progressive. There will be typical tracks that your child will take through our school depending on where they start and how many days that they attend during the week. As you choose their schedule from year to year, we are happy to help you in this selection. We wish to invite your child for a ‘playdate’ in our school. This is a short visit to an age appropriate classroom to help us select the best fit for placement of your child.

PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
(school Year 2008-2009)

BEGINNERS (CHILDREN FROM 2.5 TO 3.5 YEARS)

  • Children must be 2.5 years by the moment they start the program
  • Children need to be toilet trained
  • This class is developed to introduce children to a classroom routine and initial skills of learning
  • Emphasis is on developing Russian language abilities, memory skills, as well as fingerplay and introduction to art
  • This Program introduces the first part of the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence
  • Weekly “Music and Movement” classes
  • Classroom ratio 1 teacher to 5 students
  • 2-day or 3-day attendance per week, or morning half-day program

EXPLORERS (CHILDREN FROM 3.5 TO 4.5 YEARS)

  • Children must be fully toilet trained
  • This Program continues the Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence
  • Daily Russian language lessons based on routines by Nikolay Zaytzev
  • Starts formal introduction in writing, letter/sound recognition, story comprehension and an introduction to early math skills
  • Daily English language classes
  • Weekly “Music and Movement” classes
  • Hands-on science activities
  • Chess lessons
  • Classroom ratio 1 teacher to 9 children
  • 3-day or 4-day attendance per week programs, or full 5-day week program

JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN (CHILDREN OVER 4.5 YEARS)

  • Children must be fully toilet trained
  • Children must be over 4.5 years to join the program
  • Curriculum finishes Core Knowledge Preschool Sequence and includes introduction to mathematics, science, social studies, language, arts, music and computer
  • Daily Russian language lessons based on routines by Nikolay Zaytzev
  • Curriculum highlights formal introduction to reading with whole word approach and letter/sound recognition
  • Cursive writing is introduced in the second semester
  • Daily English language classes
  • Weekly “Music and Movement” classes
  • Hands-on science activities
  • Chess lessons
  • Classroom ratio 1 teacher to 9 children
  • Placement will be determined by teacher evaluation and screening
  • Full 5-day per week program only

KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM

Kindergarten is an important milestone for your children and you; it marks the beginning of their formal school career.

Kindergarten is a full-day program. Our students follow instruction in two languages – Russian and English – while simultaneously progressing in both Russian and American school curricula. In this program the morning session is taught in English, with the curriculum based on Virginia standards for kindergarten. The afternoon session is in Russian, and the program is designed in conformity with Russian scholastic standards (basic Russian language textbooks by Ramzayev and Zhukov).

Our program includes the following elements:

  • Continues the Core Knowledge Preschool and Grade 1 Sequences;
  • Continues mathematics and introduces algebra and geometry;
  • Natural science and social studies, arts, music and computer;
  • Daily English language classes:
    • reading;
    • cursive writing.
  • Daily Russian language lessons based on Ramzayev textbook (Russian ABC);
  • Chess;
  • Classroom ratio 1 teacher to 10 children
  • Placement will be determined by teacher evaluation and screening
  • Full 5-day per week program or afternoon 5-day a week program.

We value the close ties between children and their families. The strong reciprocal relationship that develops between our families and the school is extremely important. Research indicates that parental participation in education helps to promote school success. Together we can open windows of possibilities for our children.

LOW-ELEMENTARY PROGRAMS (GRADE 1 & 2)

Our Low-Elementary programs recognize that children will soon be entering schools that have a range of expectations for a child's social and language performance. Important school skills of listening carefully, following through on a sequence of tasks, and working cooperatively and in groups are reinforced as children are engaged in games, participate in projects and daily activities. Our curriculum is a comprehensive approach that challenges children and supports all areas of development such as language, oral communication, writing and reading skills, foundation of mathematics and natural sciences, arts. The curriculum builds off the child's knowledge and skill base, learning style, and interests, with emphasis on the development of their talents. We prepare kids, and participate in Kangaroo Olympics (won awards). The early education at our school promotes the intellectual development, builds conceptual understanding, and develops cognitive abilities. Our low-elementary programs emphasizes on memory associated games and assignments, logical reasoning and abstract thinking, problem solving, imagination and creativity.

Our curriculum is focused on the following areas:

  • Mathematics and Geometry - grade 1&2
  • Daily English language classes:
    • Reading
    • Writing
    • Oral Language
    • Spelling Bee
  • Russian Language
    • Reading
    • Cursive writing
    • Oral Language
    • Grammar
  • Spanish for beginners
  • Fun Science
    • Physics
    • Astronomy
  • Social Studies
    • Geography of Russia and America
    • History of Russia and America
    • Biology
    • Economics
  • Technology
    • Computers and Informatics
    • Digital Cameras
    • GPS
  • Little Artists
    • Fine Art
    • Theater
  • Music, dance, singing
  • Physical Education
  • Chess.
  • Classroom ratio 1 teacher to 10 children
  • Placement will be determined by teacher evaluation and screening
  • Full 5-day per week program or afternoon 5-day a week program.