Summary

Contact Info

Sacred Heart Elementary & Montessori
13718 Saratoga Avenue
Saratoga , CA 95070
www.sacredheartsaratoga.org

Tel: (408) 867-9241
Fax: (408) 867-9292

Director: Ellen Reynolds
Ellenre@sbcglobal.net

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.), after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school

Wait list

No

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Total enrollment

29

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Age cutoff for enrollment

2 years and 9 months

Extended day

No

School year

09/2008 - 06/2009

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Sacred Heart

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 1

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Total enrollment

29

Student/teacher ratio

8:1

Established

1965

Average tenure for teachers

10 yrs.

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

100%

- Teaching credentials

66%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

- 8:45 AM is the earliest time a parent can drop off a child

Late Pickup Policy: We ask the parents to call if they are going to be late so the child doesn't worry.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• The third year program is different than for younger children. The older children have a small group time.

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

Yes

Affiliated with a religious institution

Yes

Teach religious concepts

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• We have had several autistic children at our school. We collaborate with the parents to best serve the needs of the child.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Other Memberships

Affiliated with AMS

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (4.3)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

We are a traditional Montessori school with a Pre- K. Our mission is to provide pre-school children with a rich learning environment that fosters building focus, concentration and order. We believe that children learn best when they are allowed to choose their own activities from a well prepared environment.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Children arrive at 8:45. They have free choice until about 10:10. We then have circle time. We greet everyone by singing a name song. We then do music and movement, some of which will reflect the season. Circle time builds social skills. Then the children have snack. They then go outside for about 15 minutes. Then they come in for story time. Then it is time to go home. They go home at 11:15. The afternoon session starts at 12:15. Free choice is 2 hours. During free choice there is a small group lesson for the older children. Then we have circle time until about 2:40. Then the children go outside to play for about 15 minutes. They come in and have snack. Then they have story time and then they go home at 3:15

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Director's Comments

Free choice time is about 1 1/2 hours. We observe the children as they work on activities and guide them when needed. We make sure they are circulating and are working on all areas of the classroom. We then have circle time, with music and movement. Then snack time and outside time. Then we come in for story time.

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.7)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Awareness of others’ feelings

Cooperation with other children

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					YES
Oral language	-		-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-		-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-		-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-		-	-	n/a

Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-		-	-	YES
Time & space	-	-	-		YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-		-	-	YES
Music	-	-		-	YES

Visual arts	-		-	-	YES
Physical activity		-	-	-	YES

Other subjects taught	We have a very nice cultural program that includes geograghy, and the study of the continents. Our science program revolves around animal life and botony. We have a lovely turtle that is a part of our room that the children help take care of.				n/a

Director's Comments

There are specific activities that are taught in circle time, such as calendar, geography, seasons, cultural, music and movement. Outside time is unstructured. During free choice the children are able to choose from a variety of activities. In Practical Life the children are learning self-care skills. In Language they are doing pre-reading, phonics, and other activities that are training the eye, ear and hand for reading and writing. In Math they are working on number and quantity, starting from the concrete and moving to the abstract. In sensorial they are comparing size, weight, length and width.

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.9)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

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

That is one of the great things about our program. Each child works at their own pace. So an advanced 3 year old can do the same things the older children are doing. If someone is having trouble with a concept there are a variety of activities for the child to do. A teacher would take time assessing where the child is and work from where he is. Some children need more time than others to grasp something. A child who needed more help would be worked with individually. The child is free to take all the time that is needed to master a skill. All children develop differently so we don't consider anyone 'behind'. Though we do realize that some children may need more encouragement to master a task than others.

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (4.2)

Conducts an open house at start of school year

Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year

Conducts regular parent teacher conferences

Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year

Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year

Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

Director's Comments

We have open house, conferences, and parent education nights. We are always available to discuss the child with his parents whenever they are concerned. An appointment can be made at any time.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Beginning of the year separation is handled through:
- Abbreviated schedule at start of school year
- Extra staff dedicated to handle separation
- Parents in classrooms early on
- Small group sessions

Director's and Parents' Comments

Director's Comments

We have a phase in schedule where only half the class comes at a time for the first three weeks, so the children can be oriented in smaller groups. We also have an extra teacher and a shorter day at this time. Most children quickly become engaged in school activities and stop crying. If there is prolonged or excessive crying that parent may want to stay in the classroom for a while, until the child feels comfortable.

Drop-in Policy

- During school parents are welcomed as the school has an open door policy

General Parent Education

-This preschool does conduct parent education classes

-This preschool potentially connects parents with services and activities that can help you help your child develop better at home

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (3.0)

Parents:

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Receive newsletters

- Encourage play dates out of school

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (5.0)
Parents' Opinions
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

Our main approach to discipline is to redirect the child to another area or activity. If it is appropriate there would be a conversation about what happened and what would be the best way to handle things.

Director's Response to a Sample Discipline Scenario

Description of how teachers handle the following scenario: Child A and Child B are good friends and usually play together. One day, Child A decides to play with Child C and tells Child B, 'I don't want to play with you today. I'm playing with Child C instead.'

Be sympathetic to Child B, and encourage everyone to play together. Even if they don't want to play we encourage them to be kind to everyone.

Health

OVERALL RATING (5.0)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

- We keep special snacks for allergic children

Medications

- Since children are only at school for 2 1/2 hours, they rarely need medication.

Safety

OVERALL RATING (4.0)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 3 years to 5 years	15	Tue 8:45am - 11:15am Wed 8:45am - 11:15am Thu 8:45am - 11:15am	$440/Month

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Calendar Year

School Year

09/2008 - 06/2009

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: After a face-to-face meeting at the school (tour, conversation with director, etc.), after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school

There is no wait list for upcoming school year. • They can call the school to find out in the spring. We send out a letter informing them of their status when the class lists are formed in April

Parent visits tours are: Mandatory (in order to receive application)

Child interview process: None

Parent interview process: Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $30

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Siblings have priority, then parishioners, then first-come based on sibling priority, parishioner

Notification occurs: If enrolling for September there is a specific date which is in April. If enrolling for an opening now we would let you know immediately.

Deposit not required.

Financial aid is not available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child must be 2 years and 9 months to enroll.

Child must be potty trained to enroll.

Enquiries accepted on a rolling basis.

Director's views on diversity:
We have Asian, Hispanic, Indian and Caucasian children

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Sacred Heart