Summary
Contact Info
Achiever Christian School (Sands Dr.)
540 Sands Drive
San Jose
, CA
95125
www.achieverchristian.com
Tel:
408-264-6789 ext 112
Fax:
(408) 264-2001
Director:
Julie Brown
jbrown@achieverweb.org
General Approach to Learning
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| Play-based with some structure |
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Predominantly teacher-led instruction |
Application Information
| Deadline for applications |
Rolling |
Key Statistics
| Student/teacher ratio |
10:1 |
| Age cutoff for enrollment |
2 years and 9 months |
| School year |
06/2008 - 08/2008 |
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:
6
Director survey: Yes
Savvy Source survey: Yes
Parents who send their child to this preschool also like the following preschools:
General Info
Basic Stats
| Student/teacher ratio |
10:1
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| Average tenure for teachers |
15 yrs.
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% of teachers with:
| - Teaching credentials |
50%
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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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| • The third year program is different than for younger children. |
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| Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program |
Yes
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| Affiliated with a religious institution |
Yes
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| Teach religious concepts |
Yes
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| • With open arms and respectfully to their beliefs. They are not required to participate in activities that might be in opposition of their beliefs. However, they will also be expected to be respectful to ours. |
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| Some experience serving children with special needs |
Yes
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| • Depends on the need of the child. Our staff has skills with children who have mild autism, hearing impaired and are speech delayed. Overall we are not equipped to handle special needs children. |
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Accreditation, Membership & Awards
| Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children |
No
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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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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?
I came to this school as a parent of a preschool age child and was so impressed, I took a job and am now directing. Outside of my own home and care, I can't think of a more loving and safe environment for children to be able to play, grow and learn than Achiever.
Parents' Comments
Parent #1
Teachers really love the kids and value and respect them. Teachers are well organized. Preschool facilities are cleaned, well maintained. Besides working on the reading and math skills, they include music (singing with a piano teacher) and religion (some Bible stories and kids' level praying). They encourage leadership in the children. Teachers communicate very well with parents and students. After the preschool program, the children are very well prepared for kindergarten.
School Philosophy & Day in the Life
School Philosophy and Mission
School Philosophy of Education
ACS provides a safe, loving environment in which children may develop spiritually, socially, physically and academically in the knowledge of God's word.
Our school serves as an extension of the educational training in the home and the church. 'Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.' (Proverbs 22:6, NIV)
Our program is based on the following concepts:
- God has created each child uniquely in His image and has given that child special talents which should be developed and enhanced in a manner that is glorifying to God.
- The 'way he should go' is clearly stated in terms of Christian character development as revealed through the Word of God.
Every class follows a biblically based curriculum, which helps the child identify Christ-like characteristics that enhance the quality of life. Among these are reverence to God, love for others, kindness, obedience, patience and honesty.
Each child is encouraged to place his/her faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.' - John 3:16 (NIV)
Also, 'If you confess with your mouth `Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.' - Romans 10:9-10 (NIV).
Instructional placement should be determined primarily by a child's developmental level.
A well-structured learning environment is essential to developing good academic skills and in helping children to feel secure and enjoy their school experiences. Children will develop self-discipline and confidence in their own abilities when they are nurtured with love and praise.
Mission Statement
ACS exists to partner with parents to provide an outstanding Christian education that will help students achieve their God-given potential. In challenging and training students to become fully devoted followers of Christ, ACS endeavors to develop a Christian worldview in students through a biblically integrated approach to academic instruction and extra-curricular activities.
Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School
A typical day in Preschool
- Free Play
Upon arrival the children have the freedom to choose any of the offered activities designed to encourage growth in readiness skills:
Rug Toys encourage cooperation, large muscle development, communication and social interaction skills.
Playhouse activities encourage role playing, generate language development, build social skills, teach orderliness, and motivate creative thinking.
Puzzles/Table Games improve dexterity and provide practice with skills such as matching, classifying, and sequencing.
Sensory Activities stimulate thought processes, generate new vocabulary, and increase awareness.
Art Table Creations encourage development of small muscles, expressive language, listening for directions, pure enjoyment of individual expression and experimentation with paint, glue, chalk, crayons, clay, paste, scissors and paper.
- Theme
Children gather on the rug to discuss the weekly theme, sing, exercise, read a story or participate in Show and Tell time with the teacher. The children begin developing some of the most important skills needed in a school setting; concentration and vocabulary development.
- Small/Large Group
Children not only learn and practice new concepts in math, science and phonics but also polish those skills previously introduced. The child will also learn to use a pencil, write letters, numbers and his/her name. These group times also include a break-out session for Music and Spanish.
- Recess
Children develop social skills, stretch and strengthen their large muscles, learn basic safety rules, and continue to grow in compassion for one another during each of their outdoor play periods.
- Snack
Nutritious daily snacks are provided by the school for the children. Parents often send snacks from home for holiday or birthday parties.
Quality of Teaching
Teachers Are:
| OVERALL RATING: (4.8) |
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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
in small groups; behind or excelling these children will get 'break-away' time to encourage their growth right where they're at.
Home School Connection
Home-School Connection
| OVERALL RATING (4.1) |
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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
Annual open house
Ongoing tours
Open door, drop in policy
Letters home
Regular conferences
We believe that we have equipped children by the end of the year to be successful in most settings, and feel that it's the parent's choice as to where they want to place their child. Our preference is, of course, Achiever and/or another Christian environment.
Separation
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Extra staff dedicated to handle seperation
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Pre-entry meetings with parents at school
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Director's and Parents' Comments
Director's Comments
lots of love and care
Parent Community
| COHESIVENESS RATING (2.0) |
Modes of Communication Between School and Home
Discipline, Health and Safety
Discipline
| OVERALL RATING (5.0) |
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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
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Overview
Director's Description of Approach Toward Discipline
'Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.' Proverbs 22:6
Our teachers work from these premises when reinforcing self-discipline:
1. God wants us to love one another.
2. God loves us and will help us to do good things, if we ask Him.
3. God wants us to obey those in authority over us.
The following are considered unacceptable behaviors:
- Deliberate intent or infliction of physical harm to others or self. (i.e. hitting, pushing, biting)
- Deliberate destruction of property.
- Speaking disrespectfully, using 'unkind' words.
- Refusal to obey reasonable teacher directions.
- Out of control behavior that disturbs others in the classroom. (i.e. screaming, deliberately running from teacher, tantrums).
When a child displays unacceptable behavior, teachers will follow the following process:
1. Teacher converses with child about behavior.
2. Child is redirected to another activity.
3. If behavior is not corrected, child is put in 'Time Out' area to think.
4. Before the child can return to group, the teacher will insure that he/she recognize the wrong behavior and require a verbal commitment from the child.
5. Teacher prays with child to ask God's help.
6. Teacher will give an encouraging hug. If the unacceptable behavior persists, the following will occur: Child will visit Preschool Director and a written report will be sent to parents.
If problem behavior continues, parents will be contacted for a conference. If improvement is not shown in the time frame agreed upon, continued enrollment will be evaluated.
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.'
An explanation that we are all friends will be made, Child A will be told that he/she should always use kind words, but that it's good to have many friends and then can play with child C.
Child B will be told that today Child A has chosen to play with Child C, you can play together with them or make another choice.
Health
| OVERALL RATING (4.9) |
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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 (4.7) |
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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
Extended Care
Notes on Schedule and Extended Care
Notes
Our facility is open from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Class time runs from 8:30-12:00(half day) or 8:30-3:10(full day) and extended hours are from 7:00-8:30 and 3:10-6:00. We have classes M-F;MWF;TTH
approx 20 students per class
Calendar Year
School Year
Kindergarten Placement & Tips
Parents' Admission Tips
Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions
Parent #1
We started mid year, because there was an immediate opening and this avoided the whole enrollment issue.
