Q. Does St. Joseph School offer Half Day and Full Day Kindergarten options?

   A. Yes. The St. Joseph School kindergarten program offers half day AM Kindergarten, half day PM Kindergarten and full day Kindergarten options. The students in full day Kindergarten attend Kindergarten for ½ day and Kindergarten Enrichment (KE) for ½ day. The full-day students attend either Kindergarten in the morning and KE in the afternoon or KE in the morning and Kindergarten in the afternoon. The full day option is available for an additional $1000 fee for the year.  

Q. If our student is in Full Day, can we request the morning or afternoon Kindergarten session?

   A. No. We work to create a balance in our morning and afternoon classes. This balance includes the number and gender of students in each class.  The administration will assign Full Day students to either AM Enrichment and PM Kindergarten or AM Kindergarten and PM Enrichment to create that balance.  

Q. What is the daily schedule for Kindergarten?

   A.  AM Kindergarten: Monday –Friday, 8:55 am - 12:30 pm

PM Kindergarten: Monday –Friday, 11:45 am - 3:20 pm

Full Day Kindergarten: Monday –Friday, 8:55 am - 3:20 pm

Lunch and recess for all AM, PM and full day Kindergarten students: Monday-Friday, 11:45 am - 12:30 pm 

Q. What is taught in the Kindergarten Enrichment Program?

A.  Kindergarten Enrichment enhances the curriculum and concepts taught in the Kindergarten program. Kindergarten Enrichment includes: supplemental math and language arts activities, book making, Social Studies, Science, Art, Technology, physical education, and free play.  

Q. Why is the tuition for half-day Kindergarten the same as for the full-day elementary program?

A.  Tuition for St. Joseph School is determined based on the cost of educating students from Kindergarten through Grade 8. The total cost of educating your student is spread across these nine years to keep the tuition affordable and competitive. Families are encouraged to look at and commit to the whole program, Kindergarten through Grade 8, when making decisions about Kindergarten. Kindergarten is an integral part of our whole elementary program, offering a class day that extends beyond the typical Kindergarten program. 

Q. How many students are in the Kindergarten classes?

A.  There is a maximum of 20 students in each Kindergarten class. We value small class size in order to enhance the learning of each student.  

Q. Who teaches Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrichment?

A.  The AM and PM Kindergarten classes are taught by the St. Joseph Kindergarten teacher. The Kindergarten Enrichment classes are taught by the Kindergarten Enrichment teacher. An Instructional Assistant is also a part of the Kindergarten team. 

Q. What specialist programs are offered as part of the Kindergarten Program?

A.  In addition to the core curriculum, the kindergarten program offers classes in physical education, music and technology that are taught by specialist teachers.   

Q. How does St. Joseph School assess readiness for Kindergarten?

A.  All students entering Kindergarten participate in a one-hour Kindergarten Readiness Assessment in groups of approximately 12 students. Students participate in activities to demonstrate readiness in the areas of language, math, cognitive skills, and fine and large motor development. We also look at the student’s emotional readiness. The Kindergarten Readiness Assessment schedule is on the Admission Timeline page.  

Q. Why is there no Kindergarten on the first Friday of the month?

A.  The first Friday of the month is a half -day for all St. Joseph Students in grades 1-8. Kindergarten students have no school on this day. This is planning time for the Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrichment teachers who serve approximately 40 students and families. There is morning care available at no charge for students whose parents work and are in need of care. Regular Extended Care is available beginning at 11:50am. Supervision is provided by the Extended Day staff.  

Q. Do St. Joseph and MQP Preschool students have priority for Kindergarten?

A.  St. Joseph and MQP Preschool students are accepted according to the published Priority for Admissions policy. However, if all other factors are equal between two applicants, current St. Joseph and MQP students are given priority.  

Q.   How can I learn more about the Kindergarten Curriculum?

A.  To learn more about the Kindergarten Curriculum, plan to attend a “Kindergarten Only” Information Meeting and Tour.  The Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrichment teachers will present an overview of the program at that time.