Why Start Your Education at Darlington?

Choosing the right pre-kindergarten and/or kindergarten program for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. The early childhood years are critical as children transition from home or pre-school to a more structured environment, and the academic and social skills they develop during these first two years at school will serve as a foundation for their educational journey.

At Darlington, we understand the importance of developing this solid foundation early on so that our students have the tools they need to succeed in school and in life. Our primary education program is led by kindergarten teachers Beth Smith (’87) and Janice Cox, who have more than 50 years of combined experience in the classroom.

Children ages 3-5 are curious by nature, and it is our goal not to satisfy this curiosity – but to encourage and nourish it. Though our pre-K and kindergarten programs introduce and lay the groundwork for a robust curriculum that builds throughout the primary and secondary grades, our learning is not limited to a written curriculum. Teachable moments are catapulted into the classroom by unexpected events like seeing a rainbow or dragonfly, providing exciting opportunities for students to explore, research, and learn together. For instance, a child’s question about hair static on a cold morning can easily turn into a lesson about the role electrons play in the creation of static electricity – and it actually has!

Our early childhood students build self-confidence as they try new things. For many, this will be the first time they take the stage in a class musical – and have to memorize lines. Or the first time they realize there is a world beyond their hometown as they Skype with a classmate in India. And certainly the first time they are asked to do a research project on penguins!

Whether they are learning to read using story associations to remember letters and sounds, doing good deeds for the Chain of Kindness challenge, or cooking a monthly meal for the local homeless shelter, even our youngest students are living Darlington’s mission as they learn what it means to “learn with passion, act with integrity and serve with respect.”

To learn more about Darlington’s early childhood curriculum, check out our Lower School Curriculum Guide. Then contact Lea Duncan in the Admission Office to schedule your campus visit today!