Establishing an early love of learning.
As the parent of an early learner, you might be nervous about their transition to a classroom environment. Will they be able to sit still long enough to learn? Will they work on letter and number recognition? Will they learn how to share and take turns? Will there be plenty of time for fun and joy? Will they learn about Jesus? You want an environment where they’ll feel both nurtured and supported.
The First Academy’s Kindergarten Prep (K-Prep) program is designed to equip our young Royals with the tools needed to learn from the world around them, to start mastering classroom etiquette as they get ready for kindergarten, to set the stage for a lifelong love of learning, and to introduce them to the love and word of Christ. Below, you’ll find a brief overview of what we offer, including:
Discovery Through Play
A K-Prep Program Developmentally Aligned for Kindergarten Readiness
We partner with parents to create a supportive, responsive environment that meets your young learners where they are. We know how important it is at this early stage to have alignment between the home and school. Whether it’s a new friend or the letter of the week, you’ll know what’s happening — parents are kept informed with regular communication about their child’s lessons and progress. Download our Parent Information Packet to learn more about how TFA aligns education with family values and priorities. To get the best feel of our K-Prep program, we encourage you to schedule a personal tour with admissions.
INSIDE OUR K-Prep CLASSROOMS, YOU WILL FIND:
Age-appropriate technology: TFA follows the American Academic Pediatrics Association’s recommendations for appropriate timing with technology as a tool for learning.
Individual attention: Our students are known, loved and supported. We have a student-to-teacher ratio of 1:14 with additional assistant support.
Social-emotional learning: We use the “Conscious Discipline” curriculum in our K-Prep classrooms, providing opportunities throughout every day to connect with individual students one-on-one. This brain-based approach ensures each child feels safe and loved, which helps them achieve a cooperative emotional state.
We put the fun in fundamentals: Learning stations support enrichment activities that foster fine and gross motor skills. Make-believe play centers throughout the classroom encourage imagination and creativity. Table instruction helps introduce little learners to the structure of a classroom environment. K-Prep students also have their own playground and outdoor play space.
Program Hours & Aftercare
K-Prrep students follow the same school day hours as our Lower School of 8:00 am through 2:45 pm. Students may arrive as early as 7:30 am. Aftercare is available for an additional fee.
K-Prep School Day Hours
7:30 am – 2:45 pm
* After School Care is available for an additional fee.
Our family has been, and still are, deeply blessed to have our little girl enrolled in the TFA K-Prep program. We know each day we drop her off, she will receive love, patience, kindness and all the other fruits of the spirit from every single faculty and staff member. In addition to having such a strong spiritual foundation, we also know our little one is learning new concepts academically, socially, and emotionally and that is something we know will help prepare her for the many years to come.
THE ZAVALA FAMILY
WHY OUR SCHOOL?
A Curriculum that’s Fun, Foundational, and Faith-Integrated
At The First Academy, we’re readying young learners for the next step — our kindergarten program — providing them with an introduction to the structure of a classroom, the fundamentals of language arts, math, and science, and biblical integration through our curriculum.
At the K-Prep level, core competence is developed in:
- Bible
- Handwriting
- Literacy
- Math
- Phonetic Skills
- Science
- Reading
Thanks to small class sizes, teachers can identify student strengths and weaknesses, identify any gaps that need to be addressed, and further challenge students in areas where they’re high-functioning.
Nurtured Social Growth
K-Prep is a great opportunity for little learners to be exposed to social settings and situations that introduce them to the concepts of self-regulation, self-discipline, empathy, and patience. Through our Conscious Discipline curriculum, teachers help students understand how to process and communicate their feelings, which serves them well in the classroom and at home. Devotion and Bible story time keep students grounded in Christian values and emphasize positive character traits.
Ready for Kindergarten
First Academy K-Prep students advance with an awareness of phonemic awareness, basic phonics, and number sense. They’re acclimated to the routine of school, including focusing their attention, practicing independence, and developing stronger fine and gross motor skills for cutting and writing. They’re familiar with biblical truth, have an awareness of God, and a healthy foundation of love to build confidence and leadership skills. They’ve learned that TFA is a safe space for trying again and again, and they’re familiar with cooperative learning, working together, problem-solving, and what it means to care for each other.
A Safe Environment
In addition to designated K-Prep spaces — one pick up and drop off area, playground, and school wing — each K-Prep classroom has appropriately-sized furniture and its own bathroom. The First Academy has a dedicated safety team, campus security on duty, and background checks are required for all staff.
Meet a Teacher
Meet a Teacher
Lori Dowling
Degree: Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Florida with over 16 years of experience
“I love watching my students engage in learning through TFA’s Christ-centered curriculum and educational experiences! Kindergarten Prep at The First Academy lays the foundation for children to be successful in and out of the classroom.”
See for Yourself!
See why The First Academy is Central Florida’s first choice for private, christian education.