wonder a sense of
the early childhood program
beginners–pre-1st
In the Early Childhood (EC) division, Beginners (3-year-olds) through Pre-1st students prepare for a strong future in Elementary School. Beginners and Pre-K students attend a half-day program; Kindergarten is dismissed at 2 p.m.; and Pre-1st students enjoy a full day, dismissing with Elementary and Middle Schools.
Pre-1st, a transition grade between Kindergarten and 1st grade, uses 1st grade academic materials and allows students who need a little extra time to mature and grow before entering Elementary School.
a place
focused on what your child needs now
Because individual attention is so important to our mission, St. Martin’s employs a full-time lead teacher and assistant in each Early Childhood classroom and lower Elementary grades. They guide the students through days packed with activities. Students receive instruction in language, math, science, foreign language, technology, religion, art and music & movement, working in curriculum centers that target learning by doing and learning through play. Teachers incorporate hands-on activities and games that aid children in memory development and skills creation. In a unit on outer space, for example, students literally built a spaceship and they all made space helmets—very thorough and enjoyable learning activities.
“Each child made a passport and ‘went on a trip’ to China. The Kindergarten teacher turned the classroom into a place of imagination: walking them through the airport, onto the plane and along the Great Wall. At St. Martin’s, education is an experience for the whole child—not just the mind, eyes or ears, but learning through the whole body.” —Michelle Crofton, mother of Anna, Katie, Madeline and Gracie
grounded in
security A place that fosters integrity Because character development is equally important to academic development, the guidance counselor visits each classroom once a week. Students delight in storytelling and problem solving adventures. Our goal is to help students discover their interests, find friends and develop character and self-control using children’s literature and fun-filled actitivites.
(top) Our reading specialists monitor students’ progress. (bottom) As Book Buddies share stories, they enhance their communication skills and nurture a love of reading.
Another SMES tradition, pairing older and younger students for experiences like Book Buddies, is also character-building. When a 2nd grader spends time reading with a Kindergartener, the older child learns to be more patient and compassionate, and the younger student feels mentored by someone he or she looks up to. Both students feel very special, and children of all ages look forward to sharing time together. Preschool–8th Please scan the QR code with your smartphone to experience the unique qualities of the St. Martin’s community, where students in all grade levels are known and valued for their contributions in the classroom and throughout our campus.
adventure Room to experiment In the Early Childhood Science Lab, children study animal behavior, earth science and life science in a facility designed for young learners, complete with safety equipment and such child-sized tools as digital microscopes. Students also love working in our outdoor classroom, gardens and habitat, which is certified by the National Wildlife Federation and the Arbor Day Foundation.
Sense of confidence The Early Childhood Reading and Computer Lab supports the faculty and students by providing additional activities and strategies for children as they progress from early emergent to early fluent readers. In the Reading Lab, every child receives weekly small-group guided instruction in phonemic awareness. Computer instruction is offered to the Kindergarten classes.
“I love that they teach my boys to look adults in the eye when they’re talking, and to develop in so many ways. When Thomas was in Kindergarten, I went to school for Mother’s Day, and he took my hand and sat me down just like a gentleman.” —Susan Harris, mother of Thomas and Bo
sense the excitement
center of
excitement In-house and off-campus field trips rivet students’ attention and strengthen learning through experience. All students attend culturally diverse, curriculum-based programs in music, dance, theatre, literature and puppetry arts. Teachers take Kindergarten and Pre-1st students to sites within Atlanta, such as the Georgia Aquarium, the Center for Puppetry Arts and Fernbank Museum.
By connecting experiential education with classroom study themes, we encourage our youngest students to approach learning as an adventure—a value we continue to nurture as our learners progress through Elementary and Middle School.
“When I’ve walked in to get Greg and Ryan, I realize that I like the smell of construction paper and glue more than perfume! Mrs. Ford guides them so that while they are doing incredible art, they’re also learning about dimensions and other major art concepts.” —Blair Lisowski
a joyful spot Weekly Chapel cultivates a sense of shared joy that our students cherish.
3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Road • Atlanta, GA 30319 Phone: (404) 237-4260 • Fax: (404) 237-9311 www.stmartinschool.org