Kindergarten
Choosing education at Heritage Christian School is an investment that has far greater impact than can be imagined in your child’s future. We view each child as an image bearer of God, unique and valuable, possessing individual gifts, talents and needs. Our faculty and staff seek to come alongside parents in raising their children to excel in future studies, have a Biblical worldview and become strong leaders in the community.
In the Heritage K-5 program, students are given a foundation of biblical truth and academic excellence. This involves memorizing scripture, hands-on scientific experiments, critical thinking skill development, community outreach and more. The rigorous and engaging curriculum under the direction of state-certified teachers allows students to thrive and gain relational and academic skills that will be a launching point for the rest of life.
Kindergarten at Heritage Christian School is for children who are ready for the experience of a Christ-centered, academically challenging education. Time is a priceless commodity, and students at this age are learning and growing up fast. It is a crucial time for creating a solid faith and academic foundation!
Heritage kindergartners blossom through the intellectual and social opportunities provided through the program. Our goal at Heritage is to lay a solid foundation for our students on which the rest of their lives is built.
Our Approach
Small class sizes: Current kindergarten class sizes are under 15 students, giving Heritage teachers the opportunity to nurture and disciple each student.
Full-day Program: Heritage kindergartners are introduced to concepts Monday through Friday in a hands-on, intellectually engaging manner. Our full day program (8:25am-3:10pm) affords the instructional time required to develop essential skills and meets the individual needs of students. Active engagement of parents in their children’s education is emphasized.
School Community: Heritage kindergarteners experience a deeper school community through weekly chapel and service projects. Each kindergartener is paired with an older student for the year through our PALS program. These special friendships help create an exciting and positive adjustment to school life, while bonding Heritage across grade levels.
Curriculum and Academic Goals
Bible: Memorizing scripture and fostering a biblical worldview through the study of major historical events recorded in the Old Testament as well as the study of Jesus’ life.
Language Arts: Building a strong foundation in language arts by focusing on identifying and writing letters of the alphabet, sounding out words phonetically and reading aloud.
Mathematics: Counts, recognizes, and writes numbers to 100, works with patterns, sorts, compares, and orders objects by various attributes, and demonstrates knowledge of calendar concepts.
Science/Social Studies: Introducing topics and concepts in science and social studies through the literacy program and non-fiction texts.
Co-curriculars
Kindergarten students participate in Art, P.E. and Music Appreciation (ABC Music and Me, Kindermusik) each week.
Community Engagement
Field Trips: Students have the opportunity to visit and engage with local organizations and expand learning outside the classroom.
Community Service: Through Christ-centered service, kindergarteners learn social responsibility, empathy, and citizenship. Our two main service projects are Operation G.O.O.D. and our partnership with the Solon Nursing Care Center.
Heritage Kindergarten Teachers
Ms. Joy Bartholomew
Ms. Bartholomew (or as her student’s call her, Ms. B) graduated from Iowa State with a B.S. in Elementary Education, specializing in Spanish. Her class practices Spanish each morning! She has been teaching for 18 years and has been at Heritage for 12 years. She is passionate about sharing her love for Jesus and reading with her Heritage Kindergarten students! Outside of the classroom she enjoys exploring the trails and nature of the Corridor, traveling, and taking photos. Ms. B’s own 3rd grade teacher had a positive influence on her that inspired her to teach.
Mrs. Jocelyn Collins
Mrs. Collins graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She has been teaching for 7 years and has been teaching Heritage Kindergarten for 3 years. The essential concepts that she hopes her students learn in Heritage Kindergarten is how to read and how to trust in Jesus. She says her favorite part about teaching at Heritage is “telling the little kiddos about Jesus every day!” Outside of the classroom she enjoys spending time with her growing family. Her first child was born in January!
More K-8th Grade Admissions Information
Our Before and After School Program offers flexible hours like a daycare. While comparable in hours to other Iowa City preschools or Iowa City daycares, Heritage stands unique in its low cost for a full, or partial, day of care and education for a child.