Delphi Academy of Santa Monica Introduces Early Kindergarten Class for 3-4 Year Olds

    SANTA MONICA, CA, July 02, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In some cases, holding your child back from Kindergarten is right, especially when we have a national epidemic in which the system is not working for 14-19% of all kindergarten children. Many parents feel the need to protect their children from this broken system because they don't see another way. As a leader in the field of proficiency-based* education with over 30 years of educational experience under their belt, Delphi Academy of Santa Monica offers a simple solution that may surprise you.

"The big question many parents are asking is, 'Does holding my child back a year delay her academic development?'" says Ellen Garrison, Head of Delphi Academy of Santa Monica.

Some researchers, Garrison says, have concluded that the evidence does not support holding children out of kindergarten. According to an analogy in Early Childhood News, "Think about two airplanes flying west. Both travel at the same speed. However, one airplane takes off from New York City and the other takes off from Chicago. The planes will cover the same number of miles in the same amount of time, but the plane from Chicago will always be farther ahead because it started ahead."

That analogy may not be true for every child, but it is generally true in the current system where time is the constant and learning is the variable. What about the new learning-based approach that is slowly changing the way we think about education--such as the one offered at Delphi Academy of Santa Monica?

Garrison says, "In making the decision to start early or late, it's important for parents to consider the type of program and academic expectations the child will face. There is no "one size fits all" cookie-cutter answer. Having the choice to keep your child out of school an extra year or put them in school a year early should be decided on a case by case basis, where the entire picture and all the facts should be taken into account."

As a leader in the private school sector, Delphi Academy of Santa Monica has decided to offer an Early Kindergarten class this Fall to those 3-4 year olds who have shown an interest in learning. The Early Kindergarten class will provide a more academic environment compared to a strictly play-based setting. Delphi intends to include hands-on learning activities, projects, and one-to-one reading instruction as just a few highlights in this new class being offered.

One thing is clear: each child is unique. As a parent you must make the best choice for your child. If you see obvious signs that your child is ready for the classroom, then Delphi Academy of Santa Monica is excited to be able to offer this rare solution to the Santa Monica and surrounding communities.

Parents can get more information and find out if their 3-4 year old is ready for this program by visiting Delphi's Early Kindergarten page at delphisantamonica.org or contact [email protected] or call 310-526-2700 to schedule a tour. Sign up by July 15 and your new student registration fee is waived ($1500 value) AND $1000 off tuition (only for Early Kindergarten class).

*Standards are used to guide curriculum. Student progress in demonstrating proficiency of standards is measured and used to determine advancement to higher learning levels.

Delphi Academy of Santa Monica is an independent, coeducational day school with over 30 years of educational experience and part of a national network of acclaimed schools with locations in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, No. California, Florida and Oregon. We enroll students from the age of 3 years to 6th Grade.

With an average teacher-student ratio of 1:12, and a proven curriculum, which includes an Early Reading Program for ages 3-5, a strong emphasis in the arts and a highly effective approach to learning, we produce students who become proficient at the subjects they study and develop a true joy and love for learning.

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