Setting Up Young Learners for Success
Our Junior Kindergarten program provides a supportive, five full-days per week learning experience that aligns with the K-12 school calendar, offering students a head start with additional time to grow socially, and emotionally, and academically.
Junior Kindergarten students participate in specials such as art, music, physical education, and library, providing a well-rounded experience from the start.
Is Junior Kindergarten Right for Your Child?
JK is offered to children who turn 5-years-old between March15 and September 15th.
Junior Kindergarten can be a great fit if your child:
- Struggles with letter recognition, phonics, or listening skills
- Has difficulty focusing or managing emotions
- Shows signs of delayed speech, language, or motor skills
- Is socially or emotionally less mature than their peers
- Has a summer or late summer birthday and may be younger than their classmates
- Finds it hard to separate from caregivers
- Needs additional support in developing self-control
How Junior Kindergarten Differs from Preschool
While building on preschool foundations, Junior Kindergarten emphasizes:
- Skill Assessments – Introduction to FAST assessments to measure mastery and guide learning.
- Teacher-Led Instruction – Increased direct instruction during circle time and structured lessons.
- Academic Focus – Pre-reading, writing, math, and critical thinking skills are introduced.
Our Junior Kindergarten program gives young learners an extra year to build critical skills, providing:
- Additional Time for Growth – Students have more time to develop focus, independence, and emotional regulation, setting them up for future academic success.
- Individualized Support – With a low teacher-to-student ratio, teachers can provide personalized attention to each child’s strengths and needs.
- Kindergarten Readiness – Students gain classroom experience, develop friendships, and build pre-academic skills, reducing the potential stress of starting Kindergarten unprepared.
- Skill Development – Focus on foundational skills that support a smooth transition to Kindergarten, paving the way for a happy and successful start to formal education.
Throughout the year, students work on essential skills that contribute to their overall growth, including:
- Turn-taking and cooperation
- Problem-solving and developing friendships
- Emotional regulation and appropriate school behavior
- Following multi-step directions and understanding routines
- Attention span and self-regulation
- Effective communication and perspective-taking
Junior Kindergarten lessons are designed to be:
- Playful and hands-on
- Engaging with games, songs, stories, and movement
- Tailored to individual learning needs
- Focused on developing critical foundational skills
The Junior Kindergarten curriculum provides a strong foundation in:
- English Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Fine Motor Development
- STEM Activities
Our Junior Kindergarten program is a stepping stone for young learners, ensuring they enter Kindergarten with the confidence, skills, and readiness to succeed.
Shauna and Matt's Testimonial:
"My husband and I have been really impressed with the JK program this year. When our child finished preschool, he was neither behind nor ahead of grade-level expectations. It was clear he needed another year to mature and refine his academic skills. One thing we really appreciate about JK is that the class size is intentionally kept small. This allows the teacher to interact with our son daily, both academically and socially. Mrs. Lenth has identified areas that we’re keeping a close eye on, which is so helpful before these concerns start impacting his long-term learning.
With JK now being five days a week, my son has daily access to kindergarten standards and is reviewing material he will learn next year in a more focused environment with a smaller class. We truly believe that JK is setting him up for long-term success."
Sam and Randy's Testimonial:
"The JK program at MFL MarMac has been a wonderful experience for our children! As parents of two kids who have gone through the program, we can’t recommend it enough. The smaller class sizes allowed our children to receive the individualized attention they needed, which fostered both their academic growth and maturity.
The staff is truly dedicated to each child’s development, and the 5-day-a-week schedule made for an easier transition into kindergarten. The growth in their confidence was remarkable. With the teachers' support, both of our children left the program nearly reading! If you’re looking for an excellent environment to prepare your child for kindergarten, this is a fantastic option, especially for kids with summer birthdays."
Casey and Derek's Testimonial:
"From personal experience, I've seen how junior kindergarten plays a crucial role in laying the foundation for a child's future academic and social success. The structured programs and nurturing environment not only help children develop academic skills but also teach vital social and emotional skills.
In JK, children are introduced to important concepts like numbers, letters, shapes, and colors in an engaging and fun way. This early exposure to academics sets them up to tackle more complex subjects later on.
Junior kindergarten also offers invaluable opportunities for kids to develop social skills. By interacting with peers and teachers, they learn to communicate effectively, cooperate with others, and resolve conflicts. These skills are essential for success not only in school but in all areas of life.
The support provided by the dedicated teachers in junior kindergarten is unmatched. They create a nurturing, supportive environment where children feel valued and encouraged to explore. Their guidance builds confidence, resilience, and a love for learning that will stay with them throughout their academic journey and beyond.
Junior kindergarten truly lays the groundwork for a lifetime of learning and growth. By offering a strong academic foundation, fostering essential social skills, and providing unwavering support, JK prepares children to thrive in school and life. I am so grateful my children had the chance to participate in this program, which has given them the extra time and care they needed to develop the skills that will help them succeed in the future."