Our Program

St. James’ Children’s School offers a year-round, extended day program for Infants through Pre-Kindergarten. Our school has achieved a Maryland EXCELS quality rating Level 3 by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). St. James’ Children’s School has attained this rating based on nationally recognized standards and best practices that exceed state licensing requirements.

All classes use the Maryland State approved Creative Curriculum for Preschool and Infants & Toddlers, 5th edition, as the primary program, with additional themes and projects chosen by each classroom. It covers four domain areas: social/emotional, cognitive, physical and language development. The Creative Curriculum program follows a developmentally appropriate continuum that can be adjusted to meet the needs and abilities of individual children and classes. Our program is play based and experiential. Students are encouraged to explore, experiment and experience developmentally appropriate activities. Part of our day is also devoted to learning about God’s love with Chapel for our Fours and Pre-Kindergarten classes, and Bible stories, songs and simple prayers in all classes Twos and older.

As part of our curriculum, St. James’ offers separate instruction in Music, Art and Spanish.

Music Education

Weekly Music Education is provided by a specialist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. Group music and movement time is offered to all children in the Older Infants, Toddlers, Twos, Threes, Fours and Pre-Kindergarten classes. Through the use of a variety of instruments and singing, children will explore tempo, pace, pitch, beat and rhythm. Older children will also learn about melody and accompaniment.All the music classes perform a Christmas show for parents in December and a school-wide musical performance in the spring. This group time fosters a sense of community within the school. Music is also incorporated into daily activities in every classroom, during which children can sing songs, play assorted instruments, and learn finger-play related to classroom topics

Art Education

Weekly Art Education is provided by a specialist with Master’s Degree in Art Education and an Early Childhood certificate. She teaches weekly to our Twos and Threes classes and twice per week for our Fours and Pre-Kindergarten classes. All the art classes participate in an art show in the spring.

Spanish

Our Spanish program introduces our Twos through Pre-Kindergarten students to the Spanish language through hands-on activities, games, books, and songs. Children learn numbers, colors, greetings, phrases, and vocabulary related to the seasons, foods, days of the week, and more. Throughout the year, students learn about other cultures and apply their knowledge of Spanish in other areas of the curriculum. Spanish songs are performed at the Christmas Show in December and at the Spring Musical.