Preschool at Minnehaha Academy

Building a foundation for academic excellence
grounded in faith

Curriculum

Minnehaha Academy’s licensed preschool emphasizes social development and readiness activities both as preparation for kindergarten and as the foundation for future learning. Children are provided with developmentally appropriate opportunities to acquire new skills. Play is important for the development of imagination, self-confidence, creativity and problem solving.

Through observation, we monitor each child’s progress and provide materials for further exploration and development. We foster a love of learning and encourage the children to become independent, self-confident and inquisitive learners. Through hands-on learning centers the children are encouraged to experiment with science, math, language, art, music and reading. Blocks, manipulative games, puppet shows, caring for pets, cooking and sensory experiences create a rich, fun environment for young learners.

Philosophy

As a Christian school, it is Minnehaha Academy’s goal to create a loving, Christ-centered environment where each child feels safe, accepted and valued. We believe that children learn best when they are actively involved with their environment and engaged in meaningful activities that promote cognitive, social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth. Recognizing that there are many different ways to learn, we strive to provide activities for auditory, visual, tactile and kinesthetic learners.

Student to Teacher Ratio

10:1

Parent Communication

Communication consists of three scheduled parent teacher conferences per year, a monthly theme letter and weekly email newsletters. We welcome informal communication on a daily basis.

Specialists

A wonderful benefit of being housed within our elementary school is that we have access to teaching specialists and their classrooms including art, computer lab, library, music, physical education and Spanish. Children enrolled in the 4-year-old program attend classes with different specialists, depending on their days of attendance.

General Daily Routine

Large Group Activity
Learning Centers
Snack and Sharing Time
Specialist Sessions
Lunch
Outdoor Recess (weather permitting)
Siesta
Small Group Activities

Monthly Themes

Each month we explore a new theme and provide a wide range of complementary, hands-on activities. We allow for flexibility to include the students’ input and interests as it relates to their lives. Monthly themes also provide practice for pre-reading and pre-math skills.

Example of the 4-year-old Monthly Themes

September	All about Me, My Family and Neighborhood, Community Helpers
October	Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales from Around the World
November	The Rain Forest, Thanksgiving and Grandparents
December	Christmas and Celebrations from other Cultures
January	Under the Sea
February	Awesome Artist Month, Parent Night, Performing and Visual Arts Show
March	Come Fly With Me
April	Creation, Our World, Recycling
May	Into the Minnesota Woods
June	Summer Fun

Program Highlights

3–Year–Old Program
Tuesday and Thursday
8:35 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Optional extension until 3:10 p.m.

4–Year–Old Program
8:35 a.m. - 3:10 p.m
Five day or three day program
Private string or piano lessons available
Extended Day available until 6 p.m.
Summer program available for 4-year-olds

Additional Information

• Students must be three or four by September 1
• Program is licensed and each classroom meets state licensing requirements.
• Students bring bag lunch with the option to purchase milk

Call 612-728-7758 or email admission@MinnehahaAcademy.net with questions or to schedule a tour.