I really want to get my son into preschool in January. We were going to just wait 'til next year, but I think he really needs more social interaction with other kids his age.
I am possibly interested in Foster for K-6 since it's bilingual (I'd very much like him to learn a 2nd spoken language early) but haven't toured it yet to see if it's a good fit for him. I'm not sure yet if I can get him in for January even if we love it.
So I wanted to know if anyone has any great or terrible experiences with any of the Jeffco schools. We live in Lakewood but I'll drive a bit for the right school. My son is bright, creative, a self-starter. I'm not looking for a school that hammers the academics, but one that will nurture him as he explores the world. He learns a lot on his own and can write nearly the whole alphabet already (we help a bit but he mostly does it on his own). Core knowledge is probably not the best approach for him. I think he'll do better somewhere with a little more room for him to take things at his own pace. He gets quite antsy & wild when he's really bored.
Thanks for any help!
Kids Discovery Days is fantastic! It's in the Arvada United Methodist Church but is secular. I don't know if the 3-4 class has openings, but it'd be worth a call. Both mine went there and I can't say enough good things about them!
I love where my daughter goes to school at God's fingerprints at Simms and Belleview. If you are interested in Christian basics, it is great. It doesn't, however, teach a second language. Good luck-
this sounds like a boy made for the jefferson county open school. 10th ave and wadsworth. they are an experiential-learning school preschool to grade 12.
Hi,
I have had my daughter in Jeff-co pre-school for 2 years (columbine pre-school). I LOVE IT!!! All of the Jeff-co pre-schools follow the same curriculum; Tools of the Mind. It is a wonderful curriculum, a lot of literacy and self regulation. Look into the curriculum and then find a pre-school near you. You may not be able to get him in in January, unless there happens to be an open spot. CALL NOW, as school is on break starting Thursday, and resumes 1-7-09. Best wishes!
C.
Foothills Elementary is a great school with a wonderful staff. Both of my daughters attend this school. I also have a son who will be 2 in Feb. When he is of age he will be attended Foothills Preschool also. I am currently the PTA President at Foothills. It is located in the Green Mountain Estates neighborhood. It is a great school!!!
I too am looking into Foster. Preschool is not dual language. It starts in Kinder. I have a 4 year old already in Dual language and we love it. Like the others mentioned it is almost impossible to start anywhere in January. I know that foster is taking "choice applications" starting in January. You have to apply and they take "in district" children first. Preschool didn't seem to be a problem I would check out their website and call. I missed an informational meeting on the 11th but I bet they will have others after the new year.
I know preschool costs but Kinder does not. They have 2 3 and 4 day /week programs for preschool. You also may look into Montessori. This curriculum allows kids to "work" at their own pace. I highly reccommend it until about 6. I know there is compass and Bethany Christian in Wheat Ridge and I think there is also one in Lakewood. My daughter is going to a DPS School Valdez and they have Montessori til Kinder.
we started our son in compass montessori in wheatridge and have LOVED it so far. the montessori approach is perfect for the "bright self-starters". our son is 3 1/2 and is already starting to read. he loves it and is never, ever bored. also, it is a charter school so he'll be able to continue after preschool. definitely feel free to contact me if you have any other questions about it.
My son goes to a pilot program preschool at Vivian Elementary, which is in Lakewood. It is a pilot program because it is an integrated classroom with kids of all abilities and ages (3-4). There are a few kids with Autism and other disabilities, which I am grateful for because my son has learned not to treat them any differently. They are also bilingual in the way that they have everything written in both English and Spanish and the teachers will use both in the classroom. (Spanish is not actively taught, but it is used often and my son has already picked up many phrases, as have I).
Class is held Tuesday-Friday for only 2.5 hours a day, which is a perfect amount of time for my son. The two hours are scheduled to the minute so there is absolutely no down time. Thus your son would not be bored for a minute. I also love the curriculum they use, which, as I misstated before, is not part of the pilot program, but is great nontheless. It is called Tools of the Mind and it is a play-based learning system. My son is the youngest in his afternoon class at 3 1/2 (he'll be 4 in February) and he has learned so much in just the short time he's been in the class. He can already write a "B" for his first name and is learning to read simple words.
There are 3 main teachers, 1 speech therapist, 1 physical therapist, and 1 social worker. Even if your child doesn't need one of those (mine doesn't) he will still benefit from them. For example, my son's speech is so much clearer than many kids his age because of the speech therapist.
The problem you are going to run into in getting your son into a preschool program in January is that many of them are already full. However, I know that Vivian has a couple of spaces still open. I do not know if they are in the morning class (8:30-11:00) or the afternoon class (12:15-2:45), but I do know they have some space. The cost is $227 per month, but you can get assistance if you need it. Just ask the director for an application if you call. Her name is Annette Timmons. Email me if you need more info.
