• Preschool

  • Come Grow With Us ... FREE Preschool Classes

    We offer a variety of preschool programs designed to meet each child’s individual needs within a curriculum that is culturally relevant.

    For information on how to apply for preschool, call Faith North Early Learning Childhood Center (602) 257-3901.

    Preschool programs include the following:

    District Preschool Program

    Our District Program serves families living within our District boundaries. The program implements a developmentally appropriate curriculum that meets the individual needs of each student. The focus is on the development of the whole child in a cognitively rich and responsive environment. Every child in our program has the opportunity to participate in a variety of active learning experiences that foster cognitive, social, emotional and physical growth. Educational experiences for preschool students are based on the understanding that young children learn through socio-dramatic and constructive play. Our preschool classrooms create an environment that promotes independence, fosters decision-making and encourages involvement of children and families. Our preschool classrooms are located at Emerson, Garfield, Herrera, Kenilworth, and Whittier Schools. The Faith North Campus is our Early Childhood Center for all other preschool students.

    Dual Language Program

    Herrera School offers a dual language preschool program for three and four-year-old children. This program fosters a biliterate, bilingual, and bicultural learning environment and community. Our students participate in an innovative, tuition-free program, learning social emotional skills, pre-literacy skills, and mathematical skills in both Spanish and English. Our preschool students benefit greatly as they become bilingual in the early years of learning when learning additional languages is easiest. Students in our Dual Language Preschool Program will enter kindergarten ready to learn in English and Spanish.

    Montessori

    Augustus H. Shaw Montessori classrooms are comprised of 3-6 year olds. The Montessori Method is a child-centered approach for children, based on theories of child development originated by Italian educator Maria Montessori. The Montessori Method is characterized by an emphasis on self-directed activity on the part of the child and clinical observation on the part of the teacher. It stresses the importance of adapting the child’s learning environment to his or her developmental level, and of the role of physical activity in absorbing abstract concepts and practical skills. It is also characterized by the use of autodidactic (self-correcting) equipment for introduction and learning of various concepts.

    Head Start

    The District partners with the City of Phoenix to offer Head Start preschool classes for families who qualify. Head Start classes are located at Bethune, Capitol, Dunbar, Edison, and Heard schools.

    Preschool Child Find

  • The district offers developmental screenings periodically year-round. Children as young as age 2 years 9 months may participate in hearing, vision, and developmental screenings to determine if further evaluations are necessary. Eligible children identified with significant delays will be offered services through enrollment in programs that include special education services in the district at no cost to the parent/guardian. If you think your preschool-age child may have speech or other developmental delays, please call (602) 257-3808 to make an appointment for screening.

    If you have an infant birth to 2 years 9 months of age who appears to have developmental delays, please contact Arizona Early Intervention Programs (AzEIP) at (602) 253-1620 to learn about services available for younger children with disabilities.

Academics