Our Classes
St. James’ Children’s School is an outreach mission of St. James’ Episcopal Church, and is housed in the lower level of the church Parish Hall. Classrooms are spacious, bright, and well equipped. Learning is extended beyond the classroom walls at our Outdoor Classroom. Children explore math, science, literacy, music and art concepts using elements of nature.
Our large playground provides an outside play area for all classrooms and promotes physical fitness and gross motor development. Age-appropriate climbers, slides, a climbing wall, sandbox and digging area, as well as assorted outdoor balls and toys are available daily for children to enjoy.
In addition to the playground, our St. James’ Children’s School has a fenced-in grass field for soccer and other sporting activities.
Students have several additional venues to experience nature on campus. Our beautiful garden area gives older children hands-on experience with gardening and allows the younger children to see flowers, birds and butterflies up close. Children also delight in observing nature at the Church’s Rainscape/Wildlife Habitat, which is certified by the National Wildlife Federation.
At St. James’, we have a loving, safe, and secure atmosphere for infants. Experienced and attentive staff provide activities rich in social interaction and language exploration. We give personalized attention and scheduling based on each child’s unique needs. All the infants enjoy music, games and storytelling. Whenever the weather allows, the children go outside in strollers to enjoy fresh air and a change of scenery.
At St. James’, we have a loving, safe, and secure atmosphere for infants. Experienced and attentive staff provide activities rich in social interaction and language exploration. We give personalized attention and scheduling based on each child’s unique needs. All the infants enjoy music, games and storytelling. Whenever the weather allows, the children go outside to enjoy fresh air and a change of scenery.
St. James‘ is a place where toddlers receive supportive guidance while exploring new abilities to interact with playmates and to make simple choices. Beginning language and math skills are fostered with books, puzzles, and blocks. Reading stories, art projects, musical games, and creative movement are emphasized. Outdoor play aids development of gross motor skills.
The two-year-olds curriculum focuses on fundamental skill development that fosters self-awareness, independence, and positive social skills, which increase the child’s ability to participate in a group situation. This is accomplished in a warm, safe, and supportive environment with a balance of structured activities and free play (indoors and outdoors). Children will be introduced to art through the use of hands-on, open-ended activities designed to allow for exploration and creativity. Circle time involves many stories, songs, and group participation. Music, Art, and Spanish are also integral parts of each week.
Three-year-olds benefit from an integrated curriculum that allows children to develop social skills, self-confidence and early reading and math skills. Every week focuses on different themes, assigned letters and numbers, and a different color and shape. Activities are organized to give the children practice with fine and gross motor skills. Storytelling, dramatic play, cooking, crafts, Music, Art, Spanish, and small group learning activities are all valuable parts of the schedule.
St. James’ program for four-year-olds is rich in reading and writing readiness activities. We combine a love of books with a word-filled environment. Math activities introduce concepts of numbers and number relationships, patterns, measurement, and geometric shapes. Expressive craft projects, Spanish, Art, and Music activities enhance all subject areas. As a part of the Science curriculum, the children explore and investigate habitats, weather, and their environment on their own patio garden outside the classroom or in the main garden. Other science topics include human bodies, dinosaurs, space, and insects.
St. James’ Pre-Kindergarten curriculum provides a solid foundation for academic success. Our Language Arts curriculum includes a combination of whole word and phonics instruction, reading instruction in small groups, literature appreciation and journal writing. Our activity-based math includes numbers and operations, telling time, measurement, money, critical thinking skills, and geometry. Social Studies introduce students to their “place on the map” with a focus on Maryland and the United States of America. Throughout the year, students learn about other cultures, the history behind the holidays we celebrate, and famous Americans. Science themes include the life cycle of butterflies, seed to plant observations, a study of penguins, and the ocean and its Inhabitants. Students become adept at using their senses as well simple science tools to learn about the world around them. Music, Spanish, and Art are also integral parts of each week.
