Differentiated learning in a nurturing environment.
Each child learns at their own pace, and it can be a challenge to find a kindergarten program that best meets your child’s needs while also sharing your family’s values.
You might be focused on ensuring your child develops socially as well as academically. Maybe establishing a strong foundation in reading is your biggest priority or you’d like to see Christian values practiced inside and outside your child’s kindergarten classroom.
Portsmouth Christian Academy’s kindergarten program combines academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development, all in a safe, nurturing, faith-based environment. Learning happens through direct and differentiated instruction, exploration, and discovery, while celebrating each child’s God-given unique qualities. Below, you’ll find a brief overview of what we offer, including:
Meeting Children Where They Are
Whether this is your child’s first classroom experience or they’re a seasoned preschooler, our differentiated learning model gives teachers the flexibility to meet little learners where they are. We partner with parents, communicating through our weekly “Peek of the Week” newsletter and as-needed communication from teachers to ensure there is consistency between home and school. Working together, we create a supportive, responsive environment where your child will grow and thrive. Our kindergartners flourish through:
A Strong Start
As part of our admissions process, your child will take a kindergarten readiness assessment followed by a parent meeting with PCA’s Dean of Academics and Lower School Principal. Partnering with you, we’ll work together on reviewing the readiness assessment scores and identifying your child’s learning style in order to best prepare your little one for kindergarten.
Continuing Care and Support
Assessments occur throughout the year to ensure we’re meeting each child’s needs. With an intimate 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio, individualized attention and differentiated instruction help students to realize their God-given potential.
A Play-Based Approach
Our kindergarten environment is one where academic content is shared through engaging group activities and individual guidance. From the playground to our outdoor classroom, our spaces are designed for fun and experiential learning.
Modeling Kindness
Character development is an important part of the kindergarten day. Teachers exemplify biblical principles while students learn how to be a good friend and a follower of Jesus through role-play, practice, and direct instruction.
What will my kindergartner do all day?
We keep little learners engaged through hands-on activities, lots of movement, and both small group and one-on-one instruction. Content changes every 20 minutes or so, and includes seat time, show-and-tell, enrichment periods, free play, music, exploration, outdoor time, and more. For detailed schedule information, please download our Kindergarten Guide.
Kindergarten content includes:
Full-Day Kindergarten Program Before and Aftercare are available
Children must be 5 years old to begin kindergarten at PCA.
Our kindergarten program runs five days a week from 8:10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Children enjoy learning core subjects and activities, lunch with friends, enrichment classes, and plenty of play-based activities.
Families can utilize our Before and Aftercare as needed for an additional charge: | ||
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Beforecare: | 7:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. | |
Morning Drop Off: | 7:45 a.m. – 8:10 a.m. | |
Afternoon Pick Up: | 3:00 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. | |
Aftercare: | 3:20 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. on full days and 12:20 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. on any early dismissal days |
Our after-school Kaleidoscope program offers activities such as basketball, music lessons, karate, LEGO STEAM education, ceramics, soccer, ballet, solar engineering, robotics, archery, Coyote Club (outdoor wildlife education), and more.
Visit Portsmouth Christian Academy and find out if our kindergarten program is the right fit for your child.
Kindergarten Curriculum
Kindergarten is a foundational year, laying the groundwork for future academic success. Utilizing ABEKA: Reading, Phonics, Handwriting and Houghton-Mifflin Math Expressions, we use direct instruction and hands-on activities to guide students to an age-appropriate understanding of core concepts. As they sharpen their problem-solving and comprehension skills, they develop competency and confidence that they’ll carry into elementary school.
PCA kindergarten’s core curriculum is complemented by:
Daily Bible class, weekly chapel, and being part of a faith-based community give PCA kindergartners a greater understanding of Christian values and character, and how to apply those qualities to everyday challenges and situations.
Our 50-acre, riverfront campus offers age-appropriate classrooms and playgrounds, locks on all classroom and exterior doors, an on-site security coordinator and nurse, and background checks are conducted on all our employees and volunteers.
Meet a Teacher
Mrs. Ruth Brown, M. Ed.
Degree: M. Ed.
Teaching Experience: 29 years at PCA
“Teaching for me is fulfilling the God-given purpose for my life. As a lifelong learner, I want to pass on learning to love learning to each of my students. Being called ‘teacher’ is an honor and privilege as children’s lives are changed going far beyond academics. Kindergarten is the foundation for children to love learning, be willing to take risks, and become kind friends. Then they will be on their way to understanding God’s unique purpose for them.”