Kindergarten at CBA West Chester
Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School, West Chester
“Building Opportunities for Individual Success”
Mission Statement
The mission of Chesterbrook Academy is to create an educational environment that develops 21st century learners through the collaborative efforts of parents, faculty, and students. By customizing their academic and social experience, students are engaged in authentic learning opportunities designed to foster their ability to become well-rounded individuals at school, at home and in their community.
WHY?
- Why should I enroll at Chesterbrook?
- Why Chesterbrook over another school?
- Why full day Kindergarten?
- Why is Kindergarten at Chesterbrook different from other Kindergarten programs?
Why CBA?
- Natural Academic Progression from full day Pre-K
- Instructional downgrade from Pre-K
- Smoother transition to 1st grade results in elementary preparedness
- Higher academic achievement through 3rd grade and in most cases through 7th
- Longer day lends to increased student mastery
- Increased student independence & social skills
- Specialty classes
- Instruction is customized and varied to meet student needs
- Student and teacher relationship is enhanced
- Children who attend full-day kindergarten spend 40% more time on reading and literacy instruction as well as 56% more time on mathematics than children in half-day programs
What we offer at CBA:
- Electives (Ninja Warriors, Ozobots, Sewing, Gardening) are now a part of the academic day for Kindergarten
- Kindergarten students will take part in additional field trips
- K students will be a part of a mentor program with older students
- Integration of digital technology has increased with the addition of iPads to each Kindergarten classroom
Personalization
- #1 difference for us!
- Class Size 1:15
- Reading Groups
- Personalized Learning Plans
21st Century Prepared
Flexible Seating Options
Technology
- iPads ® mobile digital device
- Daily integration
- Apple Distinguished School
- Coding
Exploring different apps to create
Students use iPads to work in cooperative groups.
Students work on reading
Life and Career Skills
One of the key aspects of 21st century learning is providing students with a life-long love of learning. Subject matter taught corresponds with real life situations.
Students showcase these skills through:
- Collaborative group work
- Making and presenting projects on a given topic
- Learning to work as a team
- Self-responsibility
- Leadership Skills
- Creativity
- Metacognition - thinking about your thinking – asking why
Project Based Learning
- Apple Investigations
- Pumpkin Study
- Outdoor Learning Day
- Christopher Columbus' Exploration
- Native Americans and Pilgrims
- Family Traditions and Cultures
- Presidents Day
- Nutrition exploration
- “Giving without Walls” / Service Learning Projects ( Treats for the Troops)
Giving Without Walls
- A service-based learning project designed to enhance our Kindergarten curriculum while also helping our community.
- Students organize the project as a class.
Experiential Learning
We visited the Brandywine Red Clay alliance to learn about animal habitats
Harvesting vegetables from the garden
We learned about fire safety adn had a visit from the local fire company
- Cherry Crest Farms Visit
- Fire Safety visit from Goshen Fire Company
- Community Helpers
- Tyler Arboretum
- Brandywine Red Clay Alliance
- Theater/Musical Event
- Delaware Children's Museum
- “Hoops for Heart”
- Reading Month (February)
- Shoprite for Nutrition Unit
- Book buddies / learning buddies
STEM ( Stem Scopes)
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
- Students are challenged to think critically, pulling from learned principles in Math and Science through the purposeful use of technology.
- Real world application allows enrichment and gives learning greater relevancy.
- Kindergarten utilizes Stem Scopes into our daily science curriculum.
- Topics range from animal habitats, force and motion, weather conditions and plant needs.
- Each unit is student driven and students use the engineering process to facilitate their learning and exploration.
Working in a collaborative group to build a beaver dam
Building a structure to protect our toy from hazardous weather
Testing out force and motion for push and pull
Wonder Workshops
- Students had the opportunity to use their creative skills to express themselves in different ways
- Students are given the opportunity to take part in the different chosen workshops
Planting herbs in the greenhouse for Gardening.
In Sewing, we made scarves using a sewing machine.
We drew ways we wanted our Ozobots to move on paper.
Specialty Classes
- Increased time from Pre-K
- Help build independence
- Help prepare for elementary school
- Allow opportunities to experience different teaching styles
- Help build well-rounded learners
- Allow for participation in all events related to specialty class such as: Field Day, Hoops for Heart, Art Show, Kindergarten Spring musical and Concerts
Think Kindness
- Think Kindness is a character program that facilitated school wide to teach the students about respecting themselves, their peers and others around them
- This program is run by our 5th grade Kindness crew and they help mentor the students and teach them various ways to show kindness in their school, community and home
- Students are given different tasks throughout the year to express their good character
Character Day
- Students choose a character from a book to study and become
- Students learn the writing process as they complete each part of their Character Project
- Students dress up as their character and perform their speech for family, friends, and other Kindergarten Classes
- Benefits: Ownership, Writing process, Research, Public Speaking
A Day in the Life of a CBA Student
- 8:25 - 8:45 a.m. - Unpack bags/morning work
- 8:45-9:00 a.m. - P.R.I.D.E. Time
- 9:00-9:15 a.m. - Morning Meeting
- 9:15-10:15 a.m. - Language Arts (Phonics/Handwriting/Guided Reading)
- 10:15-10:30 a.m. - Snack
- 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Language Arts Continued (Guided Reading/Creative Writing/Literacy Centers)
- 12:00-1:00 p.m. - Lunch/Recess
- 1:00-1:15 p.m. - Individual Teacher Conference Time
- 1:15-2:15 p.m. - Math (Small & Whole group lessons/Guided Math/Centers)
- 2:15-3:15 p.m. - STEM/Social Studies
- 3:15-3:30 p.m. – end of the day meeting
**Specialty classes occur once in a six day cycle for 50 minutes- Art, Music, Spanish, Technology, Gym
Parent Testimonials
"Our kids really enjoy learning and going to school. We think this speaks volumes about what the Chesterbrook Academy experience helps instill in students. CBA Elementary is one of the best kept secrets in Chester County."
"Our family likes the frequent communication between administration, teachers and parents at Chesterbrook Academy Elementary West Chester."
"I appreciate that there is equal attention given to music and art. The exposure to culture and the arts is fantastic and helps my child to be a better-rounded individual."
"The individualized instruction keeps my children engaged and challenged. Their teachers do a wonderful job keeping me updated on their progress."
Chesterbrook Academy Elementary School
Email: joe.rodia@nlcinc.com
Website: cbaelementartywestchester.com
Location: 1190 McDermott Drive, West Chester, PA, United States
Phone: 610-719-0240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChesterbrookAcademyElementaryWestChester/
Twitter: @cbawestchester