Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten

Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten offer a dynamic hands-on learning environment for children aged 4 to 5. Our accredited programs foster growth in intellectual, spiritual, human, and apostolic formation. We actively partner with parents, recognizing them as the primary educators of their children, to unlock each child's full potential.

Research shows that play supports brain development, physical and mental health, language, literacy, and social development. Our teachers recognize play as an essential tool, understanding that young students use it to make sense of their experiences and express their ideas.

We focus on building strong relationships with our students and their families. We cultivate a nurturing, supportive, and exploratory learning environment for our students.

PROGRAM	FULL TIME SCHEDULE	PART-TIME SCHEDULE
Junior Kindergarten	Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Fridays - 8:30 am - 2:00 pm	Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Kindergarten	Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Fridays - 8:30 am - 2:00 pm	N/A

Junior Kindergarten Program

At Clear Water Academy, we view children as capable and creative learners. Our early education faculty actively promotes exploration within a Montessori-inspired environment. Our curriculum incorporates the best practices from Reggio Emilia, traditional educational philosophies, and inquiry-based learning, fostering an understanding of 'why' through intentional play, daily physical activity, problem-solving, and shared experiences with peers. Home reading is introduced as early as Junior Kindergarten, tailored to each student's readiness.

Our teachers create opportunities for students to develop a deeper understanding through communication and hands-on experiences. We help our students feel confident in expanding their thinking through questioning, debate, and shared reasoning by explaining their views, inquiring, reflecting, and comparing. Thinking together in these ways enables students to work successfully and collaboratively, ensuring a lifelong love of learning.

The Junior Kindergarten program is offered to children who turn 4 years old by December 31st of the school year in which they will be entering Junior Kindergarten.

Full-Time Kindergarten Program

Our Kindergarten students are nurtured and taught in small class sizes within thoughtfully designed, spacious classrooms. Specialist teachers introduce students to a well-rounded curriculum.

In our play-based and academic program, students develop a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy, interpersonal skills, creative thinking, problem-solving, and fine and gross motor skills. As a result, our Kindergarten students are reading and writing by the end of the school year.

The Kindergarten program is available for children who turn 5 years old by December 31st of the school year in which they will be entering Kindergarten.

Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten Highlights

Slide #3 about highlights for JK & Kinder

Slide #2 about highlights for JK & Kinder

Where imagination, nature, and early learning come together!

The Mud Kitchen at Clear Water Academy is an exciting outdoor activity where children explore, create, and imagine. Here, little ones mix soil, water, leaves, and other natural materials to “cook” and discover new ways to play. This hands-on experience encourages curiosity, helps children make friends, and nurtures a love for nature throughout their time at the school. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Why Mud Kitchens matter in early education?

Hands-On Learning

Children develop fine motor skills through scooping, stirring, and pouring.

Creative Thinking

Encourages imagination and innovation.

Social Skills

Children learn cooperation, communication, and teamwork.

Connection to Nature

Outdoor play fosters curiosity and care for the environment.

Early Literacy & Math

Children naturally explore measuring, counting, and descriptive language.

At our school, we place students in grades according to the child’s age. This means that a student’s grade placement is determined by their year of birth. All students born in a specific calendar year will be placed in the same grade level. Grade placement is not determined by a student’s academic achievement, English language level, grade level in a previous school system, or the month in which they were born. Each grade level may be completed only once. We do not permit early advancement or delayed entry into grade levels.

	YEAR OF BIRTH	GRADE
Junior Kindergarten	2022	Junior Kindergarten
Elementary	2021	Kindergarten
	2020	Grade 1
	2019	Grade 2
	2018	Grade 3
	2017	Grade 4
	2016	Grade 5
	2015	Grade 6
Junior High	2014	Grade 7
	2013	Grade 8
	2012	Grade 9
High School	2011	Grade 10
	2010	Grade 11
	2009	Grade 12

AN EXTRAORDINARY BEGINNING

“Our Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs offer an extraordinary beginning to a child’s education. Through play-based learning and small class sizes, we truly get to know each child—their strengths, their needs, and how to support their growth. We work closely with parents, honoring them as the primary educators of their children.”

- Erin Gerwing, Elementary Dean of Academics