TK & Kindergarten Programs
Transitional Kindergarten
Our TK Program
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a two-year Kindergarten program that blends socialization, play, and structured activities. The program is ideal for children who need more academic challenges than those offered in a typical preschool setting but are not yet ready for a full-day kindergarten. Our TK program affords young learners a head start and provides opportunities to thrive in an environment tailored to meet students' academic, social, and spiritual needs. In addition to a core curriculum, teachers integrate Gospel values throughout all subject areas and assist students in developing effective problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills. We are committed to equipping every student with a strong foundation for successful lifelong learning.
Classroom Support
Two full-time TK teachers and a full-time aide enhance classroom instruction to support the class throughout the day. Parent volunteers are also welcome to assist with special projects, field trips, and other special events. The class size is limited to 28 students, allowing small-group and whole-group interactions and support.
Who Can Apply to TK?
Children who turn four (4) years old by June 1 of the year of entrance and are physically, socially, and emotionally ready to be in a TK classroom. To ensure a successful transition, entrance to the school program encourages the completion of at least one year of high-quality school-like experiences to help develop socio-emotional skills to support the transition to a formal classroom environment. The academic day begins at 8 am and ends at noon. An enrichment program is offered from 12 noon-3 pm and Extended Care from 3 pm-5:30 pm for an additional fee.
Kindergarten
Our Kinder Program
Kindergarten begins a child’s academic journey, and a positive experience can instill a genuine love of learning. San Carlos School believes that students thrive in a safe, nurturing, and academically challenging learning environment. Our goal is to educate the whole child by providing opportunities that promote academic, spiritual, social-emotional, and physical growth. In addition to the core curriculum, teachers integrate Gospel values throughout all subject areas and assist students in developing effective problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills. We are committed to equipping every student with a strong foundation for successful lifelong learning.
Small-Group Instruction
A maximum of 32 students are accepted into the Kindergarten program and are separated into two smaller classes, K1 or K2. We have two Kindergarten teachers, one who teaches the 90-minute Language Arts block in K1 and a second who teaches the 90-minute Math block in K2.
Students begin the day in either K1 or K2, considered their “homeroom.” After a recess and snack, they switch classrooms and receive instruction for their second block from the teacher in the alternating classroom. After the second block, students return to their original classroom for the day. The homeroom teacher is responsible for instruction in the remaining core subjects and monitors the students' transition to their specialty classes. The academic day begins at 8 am and ends at 2 pm. An enrichment program is offered from 2 pm-3 pm for siblings of enrolled students who end the day at 3pm. Extended Care is available from 2pm-5:30pm for an additional fee for those needing additional child care.
The two Kindergarten classes form a single First Grade classroom as well-prepared learners ready for elementary school routines and expectations.
Classroom Support
Support staff enhance classroom instruction throughout the day. Classroom aides provide support from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily in Kindergarten. In addition, parent volunteers assist in Art, P.E., and other specialty classes.
Who Can Apply to Kindergarten?
The best candidates are children who turn five (5) by September 1st for the year of entrance and are physically, socially, and emotionally ready to be in a full-day Kindergarten classroom. To ensure a successful transition, entrance to the school program requires completing at least one year of preschool and/or high-quality experiences to develop socio-emotional preschool skills.