Preschool
Mission
Grace Episcopal Day School provides a program of academic excellence while preparing children to live responsible lives in a community grounded in the Christian faith. Through care and nurturing, Grace inspires learning, builds confidence, and promotes a desire to succeed.
Philosophy
Grace Episcopal Day School’s excellent pre-school/kindergarten program has been in operation since 1950. The elementary division, added in 1995, offers a quality educational program for older children. The middle school, opened August 2010, to meet the educational and developmental needs that emerge in adolescent years. GEDS is accredited by the Florida Kindergarten Council and the Florida Council of Independent Schools, and is a member of National Association of Independent Schools, National Association of Episcopal Schools, and the Diocese of Florida Board of Regents. At Grace Episcopal Day School, we celebrate the richness of life in a Christ-centered community, the seriousness of academic achievement, and the joy of childhood.
Pre-K 3
The Pre-K 3 program is designed for children that are three on or before September 1, 2012, and are toilet trained. For health and licensing reasons, children wearing diapers or pull-ups may not attend.
We offer a 3-day program, Monday through Wednesday or a 5-day program from 8:15-12:30 with extended care available before and after school. Our class size is up to 12 students in a class with a part time assistant.
Language Arts
The language arts curriculum concentrates on the development of language, emphasizing the communication of thoughts and feelings. The program is integrated into themes through literature, learning centers, games, books, and dramatic play.
Mathematics
The mathematics program is geared to "hands-on" learning, using manipulatives to allow the children to learn concepts such as shapes, sorting, classifying, counting, spatial relationships, and comparisons. The sand/water table, block center, and cooking activities provide opportunities to build a strong foundation in mathematics through fun activities and lessons.
Science and Social Studies
The science and social studies curriculum focuses on developing an understanding of the world around us and becoming aware of the environment and his/her relationship to it. Units such as self-awareness, weather, seasons, animals, plants, are explored. Community helpers are introduced with visits by the local fire department and police department.
Music
The children are introduced to a wide variety of music, promoting an appreciation and enjoyment of its beauty. Music is taught through songs, movement, playing instruments, and instrument recognition by sight and sound. In the classroom, children are exposed to music daily. All children participate during weekly chapel and in our Thanksgiving, Christmas, and graduation worship services.
Character Education and Christian Formation
A Christian Formation teacher meets with the children once a week to promote an understanding of the rich stories of the Bible. Christian education is integrated into all themes, which are designed to help lay a foundation for understanding God, Jesus, and the Bible. Daily classroom devotions, songs, prayers, Bible stories, and verses are used to supplement these themes. Children participate in a weekly 20-minute chapel service on Wednesdays with each class presenting a chapel program during the school year. All students participate in our special worship services at Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Kindergarten graduation ceremony. Throughout the year, GEDS participates in activities to encourage community service and care for others. In the past, the children have given food for the needy, written letters to our service men, and donated items to J.P. Hall Charities, Operation Christmas Child, and the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree.
Art
The art teacher uses a variety of materials, including clay, wood, markers, watercolors, acrylic, and tempera and finger-paints to encourage creativity and develop small motor skills. Art history and art appreciation are included in the curriculum. Art experiences in the classroom reinforce activities in the classroom.
Computer
The children are introduced to basic computer skills and use a variety of software programs, which reinforce math and language concepts. Computer time is provided in the classroom as a center.
Library
Books are used daily in the classroom. In addition, the 5-day children visit the library weekly, while the 3-day children visit during special events.
Intermediates Program
Pre-K 4
The Pre-K 4 program is designed for children that are four on or before September 1, 2012.
We offer a 3-day program, Monday through Wednesday or a 5-day program from 8:15-12:30 with extended care available before and after school. Our class size is up to 14 students in a class with a part time assistant.
Language Arts
The language arts curriculum stresses oral language, listening, questioning, and thinking skills. The alphabet, introduced using the Letter People, is a comprehensive program that teaches letter identification, vocabulary, print and phonological awareness with fun filled personalities. Circle time, games, manipulatives, songs, puppets, dramatic play, computers, and field trips provide a well-rounded and varied approach to the teaching of language arts. These methods allow each child to be an active participant in the learning process.
Mathematics
The mathematic lessons taught include color, shape, and number recognition, sorting, counting, patterning, comparing sizes, graphing, sequencing, identifying sets, and positional concepts. These applications are integrated throughout the day using manipulatives and the student participating in hands on activities.
Science
The science program encourages awareness of the environment and includes units on weather, seasons, health, safety, nutrition, dinosaurs, insects, and animals. Experiments are incorporated in the program to foster critical thinking skills.
Social Studies
The social studies curriculum promotes an understanding of the world around us. Units include family and self, community helpers (including visits by local police and fire department personnel), historical events, the presidents, careers, and geography.
Character Education and Christian Formation
A Christian Formation teacher meets with the children once a week to promote an understanding of the rich stories of the Bible. Christian education is integrated into all themes, which are designed to help lay a foundation for understanding God, Jesus, and the Bible. Daily classroom devotions, songs, prayers, Bible stories, and verses are used to supplement these themes. Children participate in a weekly 20-minute chapel service on Wednesdays as well as each class presents a chapel program during the school year. Parents are always encouraged and welcome to attend chapel. All students participate in our special worship services at Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Kindergarten graduation ceremony. Throughout the year, the school participates in activities to encourage community service and care for others. In the past, the children have given food for the needy, written letters to our service men, and donated items to J.P. Hall Charities, Operation Christmas Child, and the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree.
Music
During music, the children are introduced to Bible songs, movement to music, and instrument recognition by sight and sound. In the classroom, music is used daily through songs, movement and finger plays. Overall, they are exposed to a wide variety of music, promoting an appreciation and enjoyment of its beauty. All children participate during weekly chapel and in our special Thanksgiving, Christmas, and graduation worship services.
Art
The art teacher uses a variety of materials, including clay, wood, markers, watercolors, acrylic, and tempera and finger-paints to encourage creativity and develop small motor skills. Art history and art appreciation are included in the curriculum. Art experiences in the classroom reinforce activities in the classroom.
Computer
The children are introduced to basic computer skills and use a variety of software programs, which reinforce math and language concepts. Computer time is provided in the classroom as a center.
Enrichment
The enrichment teacher integrates activities with the classroom teacher by working with small groups of children once a week. The curriculum includes letter recognition activities, science and social studies projects, and seasonal crafts. These activities reinforce hand-eye coordination and small motor skills.
Spanish
The Spanish teacher visits the classroom each week and students are exposed to the Spanish language through games, stories, song, drama, crafts, and activities. Spanish cultures, people, and traditions are also highlighted.
Library
Children visit the library once a week for story time and activities with the librarian.
Field Trips
A number of interesting and academically stimulating field trips are planned during year. These may include trips to the Museum of Science and History, the Cummer Art Gallery, and Thrasher Horne.
Transition Program
The Transition program is designed for children who are five on or before September 1, 2012. At times, the Head of School may approve a 4-year-old student to join the class. This program is a 5 day program from 8:15-12:30 with extended care available before and after school. Our class size is up to 14 students in a class with a part time assistant.
Language Arts
The language arts curriculum stresses oral language, listening, questioning, and thinking skills. The alphabet, introduced using chants and puppets is a comprehensive program that teaches letter identification, vocabulary, print and phonological awareness. Circle time, games, manipulatives, songs, puppets, dramatic play, computers, and field trips provide a well-rounded and varied approach to the teaching of language arts. These methods allow each child to be an active participant in the learning process.
Mathematics
The mathematics lessons taught include reviewing colors and shapes. Number recognition, sorting, counting, patterning, comparing sizes, graphing, sequencing, identifying sets, and positional concepts. These applications are integrated throughout the day using manipulatives and the student participating in hands on activities
Science
The science program encourages awareness of the environment and includes units on weather, seasons, health, safety, nutrition, dinosaurs, insects, and animals. Experiments are incorporated in the program to foster critical thinking skills.
Social
Studies
The social studies curriculum promotes an understanding of the world around us. Units include family and self, community helpers (including visits by local police and fire department personnel), historical events, the presidents, careers, and geography.
Character
Education and Christian Formation
Music
During music, the children are introduced to Bible songs, movement to music, and instrument recognition by sight and sound. In the classroom, music is used daily through songs, movement and finger plays. Overall, they are exposed to a wide variety of music, promoting an appreciation and enjoyment of its beauty. All children participate during weekly chapel and in our special Thanksgiving, Christmas, and graduation worship services.
Art
The art teacher uses a variety of materials, including clay, wood, markers, watercolors, acrylic, and tempera and finger-paints to encourage creativity and develop small motor skills. Art history and art appreciation are included in the curriculum. Art experiences in the classroom reinforce activities in the classroom.
Computer
The children are introduced to basic computer skills and use a variety of software programs, which reinforce math and language concepts. Computer time is provided in the classroom as a center.
Enrichment
The enrichment teacher integrates activities with the classroom teacher by working with small groups of children once a week. The curriculum includes letter recognition activities, science and social studies projects, and seasonal crafts. These activities reinforce hand-eye coordination and small motor skills.
Spanish
The Spanish teacher visits the classroom each week and students are exposed to the Spanish language through games, stories, song, drama, crafts, and activities. Spanish cultures, people, and traditions are also highlighted.
Library
Children visit the library once a week for story time and activities with the librarian.
Field Trips
A number of interesting and
academically stimulating field trips are planned during year. These may include
trips to the Museum of Science and History, Cummer Art Gallery, Sally Robotic
Factory, and Thrasher Horne.