Kindergarten Program | Columbia, MD
You recognize that nothing feels more important than giving your child the opportunity and the tools to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. For your family, that could mean attending Columbia Academy, a private school in Columbia, MD, that lays the groundwork for academic success while helping young children develop their confidence and fine-tune their social skills through quality early childhood education.
Kindergarten Program Enrollment
Ages Served
Children aged 5-6 years (must turn 5 by September 1st)
Schedule Options
Full day program with extended care available
Hours
8:30 AM to 3:30 PM with before and after care from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Is Potty Training Required?
Yes, all kindergarten students must be fully potty trained
Curriculum Focus
Academic foundation in language arts, math, science, and social studies with hands-on learning and differentiated instruction
Daily Routine
Structured academic lessons, specials (PE, Art, Music, Spanish), outdoor play, quiet time, and social-emotional learning
Classroom Experience
Small class sizes with 16:1 student-to-teacher ratio for individualized attention
About Our Kindergarten Program
Whether your child has completed preschool or will enter kindergarten as their first formal schooling experience, our dedicated teachers and small class sizes ensure they feel welcomed and supported as they transition to our private elementary school. Columbia Academy's kindergarten program meets each student where they stand and provides the support they need to become confident learners.
When young children develop a growth mindset early in their educational journey, they learn to take risks, face challenges, express themselves, and learn from mistakes. All of this maximizes their learning potential and prepares them for first grade success.
From 5 Years to 6 Years: Development Support for Every Stage
Our kindergarten program serves as the bridge between early childhood education and formal elementary school instruction. Children aged 5-6 receive the foundation they need to succeed academically while developing essential social and emotional skills.
Hands-On Learning for Young Children Kindergartners learn best through play and movement. Our students stay active, participating in hands-on activities and collaborating with their peers. This approach fosters early excitement about learning and helps children transition smoothly into formal schooling.
Differentiated Instruction for Every Learner We recognize that no two students learn in the same way or at the same pace. With small class sizes, our educators have the autonomy within their classrooms to tailor their instructional style in ways that best meet the needs of all students.
A Positive Culture for Character Development Students develop strong character and learn to become good citizens. Woven throughout our curriculum, lessons about respect, kindness, and inclusion prepare children for success in elementary school and beyond.
Kindergarten Program Enrollment and Registration
Families considering kindergarten enrollment can visit our campus to see how our approach supports children as they enter kindergarten and begin their formal education journey. Our program accepts children who turn 5 by September 1st and prepares them for a successful transition to first grade.
Why Families Trust Columbia Academy in Columbia
For over 30 years, families throughout Columbia have chosen our kindergarten program because we provide excellent early childhood education with small class sizes and individualized attention. Parents love that our teachers communicate regularly, providing updates on student progress and opportunities for involvement. Check our calendar of events to see upcoming open houses and kindergarten information sessions.
A Day in the Life: Kindergarten Learning
What does a day in the life of a kindergartner at Columbia Academy look like? The following schedule gives you an idea of what your young learner will experience each school day:
8:30 - 9:00 DEAR Time We start our day with DEAR time (drop everything and read). Students love exploring great stories after they get settled into the classroom.
9:00 - 9:30 Morning Meeting The whole class comes together for our morning meeting and fuels up for learning with a snack provided by the school at no extra cost to families.
9:30 - 10:25 Language Arts Reading activities incorporate hands-on learning and promote reading, comprehension, and speaking skills essential for first grade readiness.
10:25 - 10:55 Special Classes Students transition to their first special of the day (depending on the day, this could be Media, PE, Art, Music, or Spanish).
11:00 - 12:00 Math Learning In math, students begin exploring geometry and developing numeracy skills (counting, measuring, adding, subtracting). Making math fun helps young children build confidence with numbers.
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch and Recess Students eat lunch with their friends and then burn off energy at recess. Outdoor play remains available whenever weather permits.
1:00 - 1:30 Quiet Time Quiet time allows students to rest their minds and bodies with peaceful activities. This helps them gear up for an afternoon of learning and fun.
1:30 - 2:00 Second Special After quiet time, students head off to their second special of the day.
2:00 - 2:30 Science Exploration Science becomes a favorite part of the kindergarten day, as children get to hypothesize, conduct experiments, and learn about their environment.
2:30 - 3:00 Writing Lessons A writing lesson concludes the academic day. Students move from only writing their name at the beginning of the year to writing in full sentences at the end.
3:00 - 3:30 Dismissal Preparation After students have a small afternoon snack, they pack up their belongings and prepare for dismissal.
Columbia Academy Parent Reviews
"What a gem we have found in Columbia Academy, and in Ms. Christie in particular. We feel very impressed by how much one-on-one attention and care our son has received. We remain very optimistic that he thrives in an ideal environment academically." - Parent of a Columbia Academy student
A Private School Serving Columbia, MD
Columbia Academy serves families throughout the Columbia area with convenient locations:
Discover how our approach can make a lasting difference in your child's life. Contact us today to learn more, schedule a tour, and become part of our vibrant school community.
Other Programs Available at Our Locations
Our infant and toddler program provides the earliest foundation for learning through responsive care and developmentally appropriate activities for working parents.
The preschool program prepares children for kindergarten through play-based learning and social-emotional development in our nursery school environment.
The transitional kindergarten program offers an extra year of preparation for children who would benefit from additional time before entering kindergarten.
Elementary school students continue their educational journey with challenging academics and character development that builds on their kindergarten foundation.
Our middle school program prepares students for high school success through rigorous academics and leadership development.
Before and after care provides safe, supervised child care for school-age children outside regular school hours.
Our summer camp offers fun, educational activities throughout the summer months for children of all ages.
Digital citizenship education helps elementary students learn responsible technology use.
Other Programs Available at Our Locations
Our infant and toddler program provides the earliest foundation for learning through responsive care and developmentally appropriate activities for working parents.
The preschool program prepares children for kindergarten through play-based learning and social-emotional development in our nursery school environment.
The transitional kindergarten program offers an extra year of preparation for children who would benefit from additional time before entering kindergarten.
Elementary school students continue their educational journey with challenging academics and character development that builds on their kindergarten foundation.
Our middle school program prepares students for high school success through rigorous academics and leadership development.
Before and after care provides safe, supervised child care for school-age children outside regular school hours.
Our summer camp offers fun, educational activities throughout the summer months for children of all ages.
Digital citizenship education helps elementary students learn responsible technology use.
FAQs
Children must turn 5 by September 1st to enroll in our kindergarten program. This ensures they meet the developmental readiness for formal schooling and kindergarten-level instruction.
Schedule a Tour!
Discover how our approach can make a lasting difference in your child's life. Contact us today to learn more, schedule a tour, and become part of our vibrant school community. Our kindergarten program provides the perfect foundation for young children as they begin their formal education journey and prepare for elementary school success.