Summary
Contact Info
Stringfellow School
420 S. Heartz Road
Coppell
, TX
75019
www.stringfellowschool.org
Tel:
(972) 393-0698
Fax:
(972) 393-1260
Director:
Dena Nichols
dnichols@fumccoppell.org
General Approach to Learning
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Play-based with some structure |
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| Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
Application Information
| Applications accepted |
After a face-to-face meeting at the school |
Key Statistics
| School year |
08/2008 - 05/2009 |
Kindergarten Placement
Parent Ratings
| Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents. |
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| Quality of teaching |
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| Development of social skills and work habits |
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| Home-school connection |
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| Parent community |
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| Discipline |
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| Facilities |
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| Health |
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| Safety |
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| Handling of separation |
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Survey Information
Number of parents surveyed:
33
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
General Info
Basic Stats
| Average tenure for teachers |
7 yrs.
|
% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
33%
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Transportation and Drop-off Policies
Transportation
Dropoff Procedure
Features of the Preschool
| Provide a third year |
Yes
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| • We provide a pre-K program for those children who could go to kindergarten chronologically, but whose parents decide to give them a year's gift of time! |
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| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
No
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
Yes
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| Teach religious concepts |
Yes
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| • We are a ministry of the local Methodist Church in Coppell. We teach basic Christianity and basic Bible stories. All faiths welcome. |
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
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| • We work with Coppell ISD in conjunction with their Itinerant Services Program. |
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
No
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Other Accreditations
Other Memberships
Facilities
| CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.2) |
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| Building, bathrooms, hallway |
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| Classroom equipment and furniture |
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| Outside play equipment |
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Facilities Include:
| Classrooms (with bathroom attached) |
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| Classrooms (with kitchenette attached) |
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| Music room |
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| Library |
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Science Discovery Classroom
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Playground
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Director's Comments
Question to director: Do you have any additional thoughts on what parents should consider when looking at your school? Is there any advice that you would like to provide to prospective parents?
Ratios: Young Toddlers-8/2
Toddlers-8/2
2's-10/2
3's-10/1 certified teacher + 1 aide who rotates between 3 classes
4's-12/1 certified teacher + 3 aides who rotate between 6 classes
5's-12/1 certified teacher
Please call us for information on our programs.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
The teachers are wonderful at adjusting their approach depending on the child. It helps each child succeed and feel confident. The teachers are loving and I could not be happier.
Parent #2
We were very pleased. Our child attended Stringfellow for 3 years and she was more than prepared for Kindergarten in Coppell ISD schools. Highy recommend this school.
Parent #3
Good management. Excellent teachers. All the state rules and requirements followed.
Parent #4
I think Stringfellow hires excellent, caring, competent teachers and has a well-seasoned program that offers a wide variety of learning experiences for a child, which are both child-driven and teacher-driven. My only 'nit' to pick with the school happens to be a sometimes over-emphasis on extra-curricular details in parties and other parent-involved scenarios; meaning, I think it can be a little extreme in the 'fluff' to eclipse the purpose of these activities: to allow the children to have fun in a social, learning environment and celebrate special times together. Traditions are steeped here, and again, that is probably my own personal tastes versus another; it has very little bearing on the quality of education my children receive at Stringfellow; I feel it is generally, very high.
Parent #5
This preschool has been an amazing experience for our entire family. I truly feel like we belong at Stringfellow. This is our 4th year here and my daughter has 3 more years to go. I wouldn't even consider moving them. The entire staff is so loving and supportive. I've never encountered an individual there that didn't seem thoroughly happy working there. We love it!!!
Parent #6
My childrens' teachers have provided a welcoming and loving environment where they have learned academically and socially.
Parent #7
We love this school and are children truly thrive there. The school hours are difficult for working parents as it does not start until 9AM and is over at 2PM. For us, it is worth making the effort on these hours.
Parent #8
Great academic basics are covered here and they seem to base their program closely aligned to how the Coppell Ind. Schools are run...if your child goes through the Stringfellow program he/she will have an easy transition when attending Kindergarten in a CISD school. My oldest child attended from age 2 through the pre-K program and has done very well in CISD elementary school. He is in the gifted and talented program and I credit Stringfellow with some of his success.
Parent #9
Very loving, Christian learning environment. Love the garden and outside learning center. Great Science teacher. Teachers are real teachers who love children and help them develop in many areas.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
Stringfellow School is a developmental preschool; where we plan and teach through developmentally appropriate practices for each age level. We strongly believe that a child learns through play.
Mission Statement:
To provide excellence in early childhood education in a Christian environment, enabling the child to love himself/herself and others and to experience God's love.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
Children's Day Out Day:
The day starts with a transition activity. Then they read a story, have snack, interactive stories/songs/fingerplays, go to the playground, go to Music class, create a theme related craft, eat lunch and rest. We end the day with a story and learning to put away their own things. Each month a new Bible Verse in introduced.
Preschool Day:
They start their day with a transition activity or journal writing depending on the class age level. Circle Time: Theme related Letter recognition; sounds; numbers; graphing; assigned job responsibility for the day; interactive stories and songs.
Enrichment Classes:Movement (preschool PE); Music (2 preschool programs per year performed); Chapel (weekly Bible Verse introduced); Science Discovery (Hands on Experiments) and Outdoor Learning (working garden)
Playground Time
Center Time
Lunch
Rest
More Playground Time
End of the Day Activity
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.7) |
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| Full of energy and seemingly happy in job |
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| Patient and affectionate with children |
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| Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her |
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| Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior |
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| Provides feedback on what my child does during the day |
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| Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate |
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| Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses |
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| If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off |
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| Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute |
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| Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them |
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| Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn |
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| Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts |
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| Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children |
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Director's Comments on Individualized Teaching
Individualized Teaching
Description of how teachers work with children who are
"behind," "excelling" or "different" from the majority of students
We are paired with Coppell ISD Special Education Department for training and support. Again, our preschool teachers are certified and have worked with many children with different learning styles. We value and recognize each child's strengths and strive to teach them strategies to overcome their weaknesses all through God's love.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
All the teachers are certified at the preschool. I have never had a single bad experience in 3 years at Stringfellow with a teacher. They are so good, and they all love working there. I looked at a lot of preschools in the area and only in this one do the teachers just seem genuinely happy being there every day.
Parent #2
Awesome Science teacher.
Parent #3
I love the report cards that we get after every class (we go to preschool one day a week). It tells us what our child did that day from reading specific books, learning songs in music class, playing outside, and what emotions our child was feeling that day! I feel that my child has grown through the school's program just in the past 4 months. She is talking more, interacting with children better, and even singing songs that she has learned in music class.
Parent #4
My children actually leave their classrooms to go to other classrooms specifically for Music, Science, Outdoor Learning, Movement, and Chapel. These classes have full time subject-specific teachers dedicated to teaching each of them.
Parent #5
Teacher did not seem happy. No help in adjusting process from the teacher, nor the director when dropping off.
Parent #6
The teachers are wonderful.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.4) |
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| Conducts an open house at start of school year |
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| Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year |
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| Conducts regular parent teacher conferences |
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| Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year |
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| Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year |
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| Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools |
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Director's Comments
We are paired with Coppell ISD Special Education Department for training and support. Again, our preschool teachers are certified and have worked with many children with different learning styles. We value and recognize each child's strengths and strive to teach them strategies to overcome their weaknesses all through God's love.
Separation
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Home visits by teachers
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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
We have "Meet the Teacher" before the first day of school. This is where the parents and children come and visit with the teachers and familiarize themselves with the classroom. We also have aides available the first week of school to assist with preschool separation. Our 4 and 5 year old teachers also schedule home visits before school starts.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Regarding the end of year questions, I cannot state with certainty what is done since this is my child's first year in the pre-school program. The beginning of the year orientation was more than adequate for my child, and conferences are held towards the end of the school year.
Parent #2
Parents are partners in the education of their children.
Parent #3
Since my child is a preschooler, we are welcome to come to the school, but due to the age of the children and how they can easily get upset at seeing parents, we are encouraged to just peak through the classroom window! Also, since this is my first year at Stringfellow, I can not answer the 'end of the year' assessment questions, yet! The parent/teacher meetings have been over the phone or in person when picking up the 2 year olds. I'm sure once the children are older, there are official parent/teacher conferences...but not for my toddler.
Parent #4
Only two conferences - otherwise no feed-back unless requested
Parent #5
There is an open policy between the parents and teachers as well as the administrators. It is a big family.
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (3.6) |
Parents:
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (4.7) |
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| Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children:
are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another
| |
Overview
Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline
We use age appropriate preschool discipline guided by Godly practices. We use positive redirection and teacher mediation first. Meaning choices discussed and positive statements to reinforce good behavior. Then we may use time out for mulitiple offenses. Time out in the Director's office is used when a child needs to be removed from the situation and appropriate choices discussed. Our emphasis is on the Golden Rule, treat others the way you want to be treated.
Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Their focus is not on having the newest and best toys. They do have a wonderful variety so the kids can play dress up, play trains or play on a kitchen. Fantastic options for boys and girls
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.6) |
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| Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable |
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| Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided
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| Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly |
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Food Allergies
Medications
Safety
| OVERALL RATING (4.1) |
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| Screen and identify all visitors
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| Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others |
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Ages, Schedule & Tuition
Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition
| Ages |
Class Size |
Days |
Tuition |
From
1 years
3 months
to
5 years
|
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Tue 9am - 2pm
Wed 9am - 2pm
Thu 9am - 2pm
Fri 9am - 2pm
|
$0/Year |
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
Our days of attendance, rates, and times depend on the age of the child. Please call for more information on these issues.
Calendar Year
School Year
Application & Admissions
Application Process
Admissions Process
Director's Comments
Comments
We register in February for the coming year. We take names for our wait lists and continue working the wait lists throughout the summer and school year. Stringfellow is an excellent school which truly loves teaching and caring for children through God's guidance.
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
You must have checked out the school in January if possible so that your child can be placed in the lottery for a spot during open enrollment in February.
Parent #2
Being a member of the church helps.
Parent #3
Be on time on the first day of registration.
Parent #4
We are church memebers
Parent #5
We are members of the hosting church facility, First United Methodist Church, and this allowed us for earlier registration than the general public.
Parent #6
Belonging to the church and arriving early on registration days.
Parent #7
Not really. I wasn't picky about which days we attended.
Parent #8
Because my first child's lottery number came up a few years back, I've been able to have all my children attend this school with no difficulties. The process has now gone from a lottery system to a first come, first serve basis which gives the parent more control over gaining admission for their child to this school.
Parent #9
Early bird...
Parent #10
Sign-up early
