South Preschool

This little school is a diamond in the rough. I stumbled on South Preschool just in time to enroll my oldest in the Pre-​K program just before the school year started. Mrs. Pedersen takes great care in preparing and implementing a well-​rounded curriculum to ensure the kids are ready for kindergarten. There’s a strong focus on literacy (at this age, alphabet recognition and writing), as well as some science, art and social skills mixed in. A really great balance of play-​learning, hands on activities, and individual work is achieved.
Along with academics, there are plenty of fun events throughout the year. A couple of field trips, holiday parties/​festivals, and a pretty impressive graduation ceremony showcasing the children’s talents and hard work.
While the children are taught to learn as a group, each child is made to feel special with jobs like classroom helper, birthday celebrations, and an ¨All About Me¨ spotlight. There are also plenty of opportunities for parents to volunteer and feel as involved in the classroom as they wish.
By the time they leave, the students have a very good understanding of what is expected of them at the elementary school level: following rules, respect for others and school property, self-​care, following a schedule, etc. And I appreciate that Mrs. Pedersen and her staff do not coddle the children. They are consistent and patient, and the kids seem to respond well to having boundaries set for them.
The school itself is in the basement of a church (no affiliation) and is clean, safe and has all the essentials, but you will not find it frilly or fancy in any way. Sloped, gravel parking lot could use paving; the facilities are operational, but old. The tuition is very reasonable, and I think low overhead/​facility costs keep it that way. To me, that is as it should be for families who want their preschoolers to learn, socialize and go to ¨school¨ without paying the exorbitant amount I’ve seen charged elsewhere.
I now have my second child enrolled in the program and enjoy the familiarity that comes with a consistent, dependable teaching style and atmosphere that is the standard at South Preschool.