Early School

Welcome to St. Margaret’s Early School, where our mission is to educate the hearts and minds of young people for lives of learning, leadership and service. Our early childhood program is designed to engage the youngest learners to develop socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively through developmentally appropriate practices rich in social connections, language, literacy, math and other disciplinary skills and content.
 
More than 100 years of research has shown us the importance of children’s learning through play and exploration. Current research only solidifies the understanding that children learn best when they are actively and mentally engaged in their own learning. St. Margaret’s knowledgeable and experienced educators facilitate and guide students with well thought strategies and environments that motivate and encourage preschool-age learners to investigate, question, problem solve and discover.
 
In the classroom, children learn to navigate friendships by sharing materials, taking turns and taking perspective of others’ ideas. Cognitive skills are further developed through investigation and exploration. Teachers provide materials and activities that develop literacy, numeracy and scientific thinking. Children are encouraged to question, create, problem-solve and explore.
 
The learning does not end in the classroom. The nationally recognized Outdoor Classroom is purposefully designed for children to discover the natural world by spending time observing and feeding chickens, building with blocks, planting in the garden, catching rollie pollies, and watching caterpillars change over time. The Outdoor Classroom also helps children strengthen their physical abilities through riding bikes, climbing, lifting and dancing.
 
The Early School is a wonderful place for preschool-age learners to develop a foundation for a love of learning through a socially and academically vigorous learning environment.
 
Dr. Cris Lozon,
Director, Early School