A quick look at some fabulous academic institutions for our preschoolers.
We chatted with a few Back Bay families to see where some local two to five-year-olds are attending preschool this fall. While this list is by no means inclusive, here’s the skinny on a handful of great schools that are favorites of families in our neighborhood (listed in alphabetical order).
Curriculum: Curriculum is "designed to both challenge our children and build self-confidence. Each teacher serves as a catalyst, orchestrating exploration, stimulating thoughts and processes, helping define limits - and guiding interpersonal relationships."
Schedule: 5 days, morning and afternoon options.
Admission: Application deadline is December 15. Preference is given to siblings and residents of Beacon Hill. School retains "discretion to select families in a manner that, in their judgement, best serves the overall needs and goals of the school."
Contact Information: 74 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02114. 617-227-0822.
Curriculum: Play based. Part of the early elementary education program at Boston University.
Schedule: Three or five mornings. Extended day options.
Application Process: Applications are processed in the order they are received.
Contact Information: Early Childhood Learning Lab, Two Silber Way, Boston, MA 02215. 617-353-3410.
Curriculum: This is a cooperative, fully open-door school. “We nurture an environment where children's natural, organic need to learn and grow is facilitated through a participatory, holistic, and dialogue-centered process. All the developmental aspects of a child are integrated: emotional, intellectual, social, creative, physical. We regard play as an essential medium of learning.”
Schedule: Three, four, or five mornings. Extended day options.
Application Process: Applications are processed in the order they are received. Parents are encouraged to visit the school.
Contact Information: 1773 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02445. 617-738-4631.
Curriculum: “When interest and spontaneous play drive a child’s learning, every day is a thrilling adventure; this is the core of the John Winthrop curriculum."
Schedule: Two or three days for younger toddlers, five days for older toddlers, mornings only or extended day options
Application Process: “Applications are reviewed in the order they are received with consideration given to balancing schedules, gender, and diversity in the classrooms.”
Contact Information: 66 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA 02116. 617-267-7159.
Curriculum: “Montessori lessons inculcate basic skills in computation, pre-reading and pre-writing. In addition to classroom-based learning, Preschool students enjoy classes in Spanish, science, art, music, drama and movement.”
Schedule: Five mornings or afternoons. Extended day options.
Application Process: Parents must fill out an application, visit the school to observe a classroom, and have their child visit for a 30 minute session. Application deadline is January 15.
Contact Information: 30 Fairfield Street, Boston, MA 02116. 617-226-4900.
Curriculum: “The school’s approach to learning and development uses active inquiry, theorizing, and reflection to build passion about learning and expand competency.”
Schedule: “Flexible scheduling is the norm; school day attendance can be part-time or full-time; schedules are three, four, or five days, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m."
Application Process: “Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, with consideration given to balancing class groupings according to development and age.” “Applications are received beginning the September prior to the year of expected entry. As part of the application process, parents must call the Director to schedule an in-person visit during the school day by both the parent(s) and child.”
Contact Information: 645 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. 617-536-1970.
Curriculum: “The focus of the curriculum is to provide a love for learning and develop readiness skills in the areas of reading, math, language, social studies, science, health, and fine and large motor development.”
Schedule: Two to five days; Pre-K is four or five days. Extended day options.
Application Process: Attend an open house, submit an online application, schedule a tour, and attend a group observation session. Application deadline is January 3.
Contact Information: 67 Brimmer Street, Boston, MA 02108. 617-523-7577.
Curriculum: Pine Village is a “Spanish Immersion School for Toddlers and Preschoolers with a growing number of small neighborhood schools located within Greater Boston.”
Schedule/Application Process: “All schools offer a simple on-going application process to register a child for either a 5-day full day program or part-time program options tailored to meet the needs of individual families.”
Contact Information: 700 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118. 617-638-3265.
Curriculum: “Children learn about the world around them through active exploration and play. With an awareness of individual strengths and interests, teachers develop curriculum to honor and explore each child’s potential.”
Schedule: Varies from two to five days depending on age, extended day options available.
Application Process: Parents must apply and schedule school visit. Applications are due January 13.
Contact Information: 5 Avery Place, Boston, MA 02111. 617-482-5252.
*All information has been obtained from conversations with the schools, or from the schools’ websites. Parents are encouraged to contact schools directly.
Myrna Nunez
5:09 pm on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
I love Pine Village Preschool!!!!! :)