Milpitas Christian School - San Jose, CA Kindergartens

Milpitas Christian School
MCS Main Campus
3435 Birchwood Lane
San Jose, CA 95132
(408) 945-6530
(408) 945-3124 - School Office Fax
(408) 945-9746 - Business Office Fax

MCS offers a unique Kindergarten experience. Some of the developmentally younger children attend the Transitional Kindergarten for one year, and then attend the more academic Kindergarten class. We refer to this as a two year plan. Others enter directly into Kindergarten and we anticipate that they will progress to first grade after spending only one year in Kindergarten.

Under careful supervision of the Kindergarten staff, children in our programs learn the skills needed for future academic, social and emotional success.

They continue to develop and fine-tune their motor skills and the social skills they will need in their future school years.

The Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten classes differ mainly in the degree of structure, the length of the school day, and the types of readiness skills activities.

The Two Year Plan (TK)
Transitional Kindergarten is for students who will be turning 5 in the Fall or Winter, and those who are old enough for regular Kindergarten but not yet developmentally mature enough to benefit from the more structured class. Many families say that this program was a wonderful start for their children's school experience. No one has ever come back to us years later with regrets about this choice.

New Alternative Kindergarten Program

In Fall, 2009 we anticipate the opening of a new program for children with September, October and November birthdays. This class is designed to be an option for students with birthdays normally assigned to our TK program and we
are hopeful that students will successfully graduate to the first grade in the
following year. More small group and individual instruction, with the assistance of parent volunteers, mean that large group instruction is limited for these younger students. Admission to this program is subject to performance criteria on the Kindergarten Diagnostic Screening, administered after application.

Traditional Kindergarten Program
Children applying for admission to the one year Kindergarten program must be five (5) years old by September 1st. California is one of a very few states still holding to a December birth-date. Most other states have September 1 and some are even earlier. Many reliable studies show that students who are developmentally mature tend to be more successful in their later school life. At MCS, we are committed to the belief that God has a unique developmental timetable for each child, and that children profit most from correct placement in accordance with their developmental, rather than their chronological age. We use proven assessments, parent and teacher input, and the skill and wisdom of an experienced staff to assist parents in making a wise choice.

Kindergarten Students Experience the Joy of Learning

Curriculum Highlights
Reading/ Language Arts
TK stresses the pre-reading and pre-literary skills such as alphabet recognition, sound association, sequencing, left to right progression, visual discrimination,following directions, listening, literature, auditory discrimination,and much more. Eye tracking and other small and large motor skills develop during this year.

Kindergarten students(both Alternative Kindergarten and Traditional Kindergarten) continue to refine these skills in a more structured, longer and developmentally more challenging context. They learn to read,write, and express their ideas orally. They will comprehend what they read at their appropriate reading level. They develop vocabulary and literature appreciation.

Mathematics
It is important in both TK and K that students gain understanding of the patterns and meaning in exploring the meaning of the many facets of math in daily life. Manipulative materials promote understanding of the conceptual nature of math. Calendar, graphing, charting, ordering,sequencing, counting, weighing, measuring, and grouping are just a few of the important concepts that are taught. Many students come to TK or Kindergarten with some rote memorization of math facts already begun, but these foundational concepts are critical to later success in math.

Bible
Learning to worship God and love Jesus is an important part of the curriculum. Daily Bible lessons and weekly chapels lead to understanding of the basics of the Christian faith.

Science and Social Studies
Both TK and K students explore many aspects of science and social studies. They begin with learning about themselves and moving through family life, community, and the wonders of God's creation. Curriculum for science meets the California framework and lays the foundation for observation and experimentation in the following years. Cultural diversity and responsibility for the environment are taught and affirmed. Many of the concepts are woven in with the language arts curriculum.

Creativity
In both TK and K the children are affirmed in their creativity through a variety of experiences in music and art. Crafts provide skill practice in cutting, fine motor skills and following directions. Fine art activities promote understanding of the world as they see it, and enrich the spiritual life of the child.

Motor Skills
Both fine and gross motor skills are critical in promoting readiness for reading and math success. Team work and healthy living habits are also emphasized. Playgrounds are designed purposefully by experts in child development so that students are challenged to develop flexibility, balance and fluid motion. A new play structure for our youngest students is being installed for a fall 2009 opening. Physical education is a part of the kindergarten curriculum and is taught by the classroom teacher.

Music
Students in kindergarten see the music specialist once a week for instruction that includes vocal music, rhythm, and an introduction to instruments. They perform musical concerts for their parents in December and May.

Current TK/ K parents get general information here:
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