Preschool

List of 3 items.

• K3

  The preschool experience at Athens Academy begins with the K3 class, a half-day, week-long program for children between the ages of 3 and 4. This thoughtfully designed program strikes a balance between structured classroom routines that support each child’s growth and development, and dynamic, hands-on experiences beyond the classroom walls.

   

  With 152 acres to explore, our youngest learners enjoy a daily journey that might lead them down the hallway to the Preschool library or out into the natural world along our scenic nature trail. Guided by specific learning targets throughout the year, students engage in a wide variety of activities that nurture their natural curiosity and build foundational academic skills.

   

  Through a blend of teacher-guided instruction and student choice, children develop essential skills such as confidence, collaboration, and critical thinking. As they explore, play, and work together, students strengthen motor skills and practice key social behaviors like taking turns, sharing, and cooperating with peers—building a strong base for lifelong learning.

   

  Students must be 3 years old by September 1 of the matriculation year in order to be considered for enrollment in the K3 class.

• K4

  The K4 program at Athens Academy builds thoughtfully on the strong foundations established in K3, offering a half-day, week-long experience for children ages 4 to 5. Designed with developmental research and the needs of today’s young learners in mind, our K4 classrooms foster joyful exploration, meaningful connection, and purposeful growth in every child. As our students learn and grow, they continue to engage across a variety of unique settings, like the learning garden and the preschool library.

   

  In K4, students engage in an exciting curriculum that introduces early reading, writing, and math concepts in developmentally appropriate ways. Guided by clear learning targets, teachers provide intentional instruction that supports each child’s progress, allowing them to grow in both confidence and competence as they begin to explore more academically-based tasks. Whether leading their peers in writing the daily class message, participating in small reading groups, or exploring number sense and patterns, children build a deep, lasting understanding through hands-on discovery.

   

  Just as significant as academic development is the continued growth of each child’s social and emotional skills. Independence becomes a cornerstone skill for all of our K4 students as they learn to care for themselves and their greater classroom community. Our teachers work to create a classroom where children feel known, encouraged, and supported as they practice, solve problems, and learn to navigate new situations.

   

  Students must be 4 years old by September 1 of the matriculation year in order to be considered for enrollment in the K4 class.

• Pre-first Grade

  With a strong foundation in early reading, writing, and math developed during the K3 and K4 years, our pre-first students are ready to take the next step in their learning journey. As their academic day extends beyond lunch, students embrace the opportunity to apply the skills they’ve built to more complex, meaningful tasks—growing into more independent, engaged, and confident learners.

   

  Throughout the year, students deepen their understanding of key concepts across subject areas. They write across multiple genres, make exciting strides as readers, and begin to see how numbers work together. The pre-first classroom is alive with curiosity and creativity as children discover how to think more deeply and express themselves more clearly.

   

  Beyond the classroom, students remain eager explorers of the world around them. Our expert specialists nurture their love for art, music, science, library, and physical education through dynamic, hands-on learning experiences across our 152-acre campus. Whether creating in the art studio, moving in rhythm in the music room, or discovering the wonders of the natural world, students build knowledge and joy.

   

  As students grow academically, their social and emotional development remains a key focus. Through regular classroom-based lessons led by our school counselor, children explore perseverance, empathy, resilience, and goal-setting. These moments provide space for reflection and connection—helping each child build the inner tools needed for success in school and in life.

   

  Students must be five years old by September 1 of the matriculation year in order to be considered for enrollment in the pre-first class.