Preschool Program
Our preschool programs are licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services and meet the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Quality Standards for Early Childhood Care and Education Services.
Locations
Academy District 20 provides district-run preschool at the following locations.
Journey K8 and New Summit Charter Academy may offer additional preschool options, but as separate programs from the district preschool program. The eligibility requirements and application process is completely different. Please contact these schools for more information.
Our preschools have:
Highly qualified, licensed early childhood/special educators
1-to-5 teacher/student ratio
Integrated classes meeting all children's needs
Provide opportunities to explore, extend and experiment
Teacher guided experiences
Activities representing language, motor, cognitive and social emotional development
Age appropriate skills which facilitate individual learning styles
Big books, read alouds, circle time, art, block and science centers, dramatic play
Two Para Professionals in each classroom
Best Practices
Academy District 20 uses developmentally appropriate, researched and evidenced based early childhood education practices to meet the individual learning needs of each child. We employ the We Can curriculum and the Teaching Strategies assessment tool. The We Can curriculum is organized into bi-weekly or monthly thematic units that teach through the context of play, and large and small groups. Teaching Strategies is an authentic, ongoing classroom assessment which encompasses over thirty years of research and is based on 38 objectives for development and learning, which are fully aligned with the CDE Preschool standards.
We also teach using the CDE state approved Pyramid Model for supporting Social Emotional Competence in young children. The Pyramid Model teaches key school readiness concepts such as persistence at difficult tasks, ability to express emotions appropriately, ability to make and sustain relationships with peers and adults, confidence, and the ability to negotiate and cooperate in a group setting. These concepts are taught by following a strategically planned teaching process that builds positive relationships with families, children and colleagues, teaches targeted social emotional strategies, and employs individual interventions.
Our approved social emotional curriculum, RULER, supports relationships and wellbeing by teaching how to identify, understand and manage our emotions while expressing concern and compassion towards others.
Inclusion
Our classes are integrated. Children with developmental delays benefit from typical models that encourage language, cognition and social development. All children benefit from working together in a community atmosphere that encourages understanding, compassion and emphasizing diversity. Children are encouraged to help one another in the learning environment where exploration and risk-taking is encouraged to foster independent thinking.