Early Learning Center
The St. Thomas School journey begins here, in our Early Learning Center. The ELC is a vibrant school-within-a-school, designed specifically for our youngest learners. The ELC includes:
- Preschool (3 - 4 years of age)
- PreKindergarten (4 - 5 years of age)
- Kindergarten (5 - 6 years of age)
We believe the seeds of lifelong learning lie in the wonder that characterizes early childhood. With an approach based on child development and early-learning research, the ELC attends closely to the social-emotional needs of young children while engaging their natural curiosity, creativity, and love of hands-on learning. We strike a balance between teacher-led instruction and child-driven discovery, allowing students to form questions, seek answers, and represent their thinking based on exploration and research.
Our ELC curriculum is distinguished by its alignment with learning theory, clearly defined standards, and an expectation that children of this age are competent and capable. Instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, Spanish, character development, and other subjects begin in Preschool, resulting in levels of student achievement that are often surprising - and always developmentally appropriate. Our student-teacher ratio ensures that every student receives the attention and guidance he or she needs to excel. As an integral part of the rest of the school, ELC students use the library, gymnasium, and other first-rate facilities, reflecting our signature lessons about membership in community.