|
Cathy Geiser, Elementary Principal
Our goal at Woodland Christian School is to prepare our students for Christian life. We are also preparing them for college. Amazingly, this begins in kindergarten. Basic fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic are emphasized in the first three years. We strive to have all of our kindergarteners reading at the first grade level by the end of their kindergarten year. Spelling their name, writing their first sentences, and forming their own story is all a part of the kindergarten year. In first and second grade our goal is to develop their skills in all three areas to a level of proficiency that exceeds grade level expectations. One of the ways we accomplish this, is through smaller class sizes. On average, class sizes for our K-2 grades is 20. Our goal is to keep the maximum at 22. As our students develop their academic foundation, they are also developing as citizens of our community. They learn social skills, team skills, and build a camaraderie among their peers.
In addition to continued dedication to developing students’ basic skills, the remainder of students’ elementary education includes some exciting, hands-on learning experiences. Third grade introduces students to commerce and what it takes to prosper in a town — “Cardinal City”, that is. Each year our third graders “build” a town and discover just what it takes to make a town prosper. In fourth grade, students begin learning the history of this great state, California. They “go back in time” to the mid 1800's and discover just where it all started for California, as they spend a memorable time camping out at 49er camp. In fifth grade, they learn all about our great nation. Opportunity is given to participate in a cross county field trip to our nation’s capital and surrounding historic locations. By the end of the fifth grade, our young girls and boys are starting to take on more personal responsibility and preparing for middle school. The elementary years are so important to the development of our students and we work hard to give personal attention to each student. We keep our class sizes small to facilitate that personal attention. Our average class size for 3rd through 5th is 20. Our goal is to keep the maximum at 26.
|