Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten

We believe every child is unique and made in the image of God. Therefore, we aim to teach the whole child so that children become life-long learners who are resilient, confident, and capable.

Junior Kindergarten

We believe every child is unique and made in the image of God. They grow, learn, and develop in His timing. A nurturing and stimulating JK environment develops the skills necessary for children to become life-long learners who are resilient, confident, and capable. We know children learn best through active involvement, exploration, and play. Therefore, we engage students in meaningful and purposeful play using child-initiated and adult-led activities. The teacher will introduce new knowledge, ideas, and vocabulary, challenging students to the limits of their abilities. Our specially designed curriculum prepares children for more formal schooling by teaching developmentally appropriate learning behaviors and skills and, above all, promotes joy in learning!

Kindergarten

Our approach to Kindergarten is to provide an outstanding, Christ-centered learning environment so that every child will have their hearts, eyes, and minds open to God's Word and the joy of lifelong learning. Teachers believe it's not just the brain that comes to school but the whole child. Therefore, teachers focus on meeting children where they need to be stretched and grown physically, emotionally, spiritually, and academically. Teachers present lessons in a fun and whimsical way, while digging deep into the content and providing knowledge-rich activities to build language and understanding. Small group instruction and center activities allow teachers to support students’ areas of need necessary for growth. Watch the videos below to get a glimpse into junior kindergarten and kindergarten at CDS! 

Age Requirements and Areas of Focus

We recommend that a child be four years old by March 1, 2025, to apply for junior kindergarten (JK) and five years old by August 15, 2025, to apply to kindergarten. Since each child is unique and develops on their own timeline, developmental maturity, including social, emotional, physical, and academic readiness, is also considered when recommending the best class for your child. Learn about the six areas of focus we nurture during Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten below. To learn about our curriculum, visit the lower school academic page. We would love the opportunity to meet you and answer your questions. Schedule a tour to learn more and to see our campus in action!