PreK Program
Prospect Hill Academy's tuition-free PreK program is entirely play-based and student-centered, with a self-directed, experiential curriculum. Students are given the opportunity to be deeply immersed in one curricula topic integrated across various content areas. For example, earthworms are brought into the classroom, and students observe, touch, read about, draw, create, imitate, and find them in nature, and in the process learn about their function in the earth’s ecosystem.
The PreK program occupies three bright, vibrant, and welcoming classrooms with a garden view, and students are taught by certified Early Childhood teachers who provide a caring, fun, and engaging environment and age-appropriate instructional program. We also work with various community partners who engage our youngest students in weekly dance, music, and mindfulness classes.
The program admits children who are four years old by August 31st of the year they enroll and is designed to ensure our youngest learners are ready to enter kindergarten. The program follows the same application and lottery process as the school in general (siblings and Somerville and Cambridge residents receive preference).
Sample Classroom Schedule
7:30-8:30am | Arrival/ Breakfast/Centers |
8:40-9:00am | Morning Meeting |
9:00-9:45am | Outdoor Play |
9:45-10:15am | Specials class (Music, Art, Library, Robotics, Gardening, P.E.) |
10:15-11:30am | Centers (provocations related to projects incorporating literacy, math, science, arts, and social emotional learning) |
11:30am-12:00pm | Lunch |
12:00-12:45pm | Rest |
1:00-1:30pm | Snack and Centers |
1:45-2:15pm | Stories and Closing Meeting |
2:15-2:45pm | Outdoor Play and Pick-up |