Which of the regions' private schools teach reading at the Pre-K level?

[Anonymous]

Which of the regions' private schools teach reading (not just phonics/letters sounds) at the Pre-K level?

In particular, I am wondering about if/what the following schools teach to Pre-Kers (4 and 5 year olds) in regards to reading: Sidwell, Beauvoir, St. Patrick's, GDS, WIS, and Sheridan. I have some knowledge of what a few of these schools teach and it mostly seems to be only letters sounds or phonics. I'm wondering if any of the schools listed go further than that into actual reading instruction.

If yes, is it just for children who have been identified as "ready" (as in already reading) or for the entire grade? Also, if yes, would you please give a brief description of the materials/program they use?

Thank You in Advance

P.S. - I am not asking for any judgments on when schools should begin to teach reading, just which ones already do in Pre-K (if any).

[Anonymous]

My guess is none.

[Anonymous]

River School teaches reading to children in Pre-K

Sheridan starts at K but doesn't teach reading until the 1st grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess is none.

OP here. My guess too but, I want some facts/accuracy which is why I am asking. And please no one tell me to "call the AD!" I am not calling every school's AD and asking this. Anyway, we are not in the application game these days and I don't want the prepared AD answer. I just want to have a better idea of what's what in regards to Pre-K reading programs or if they even exist. I would most like to hear from current parents or teachers, actually.

Around here lots of kids start to read at 3, 4, and 5. Do any of the schools address this in the Pre-K classroom?

[Anonymous]

My pre-k child reads and that is being reinforced at Beauvoir through the morning message and various reading-related activities, but the actual instruction is focusing on phonics. If she were not reading already I don't think they would be pushing her.

[Anonymous]

OP, I know this was not on your list, but Montessori schools will teach it.
Also, consider teaching it on your own at home. It is such a nice feeling to be the one who taught your dc to read.

[Anonymous]

Aidan Montessori (and any traditional Montessori) teaches reading through individualized lessons to any pre-K child who has shown readiness based on the other work. My DC started reading in the first year of the Primary class (which is technically the year before traditional pre-K).

[Anonymous]

British School of Washington

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you all very much but I would ask, in the gentlest way possible, would people please just address the schools I named? I would deeply appreciate it. I am curious about specific schools for my own reasons, basically comparative purposes. I am NOT looking for a school to apply a child. My children are happily ensconced in a school already and both are already readers (and yes, I did "teach" them both although they did more teaching of themselves probably :wink.

[Anonymous]

OP: can you clarify what you mean by "teach reading?" Don't most schools use the use of phonics and letter sounds for this purpose?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I mean programs where the teachers and children actually sit down with books or written materials and real whole words, both singly and in proper sentences. Beyond learning "ah" for "A" and "ssss" for "S." Actually putting the sounds together and reading whole words. Also, learning (really memorizing) words that are considered "sight" words (not phonetically spelled) and techniques like using pictures to help figure out what the words say if one is unsure, etc... I think (?) those are the three basic methods of teaching reading.

[Anonymous]

OP, perhaps you should have been a bit more clear about what you were looking for. You started your post out by asking the following question:

"Which of the regions' [sic] private schools teach reading (not just phonics/letters sounds) at the Pre-K level?"

You then mentioned a few schools, but you did not expressly limit your question to the schools that you mentioned. It should not be surprising, then, that you would have received responses about schools in the "regions" other than those that you mentioned.

[Anonymous]

Why not call the ADs if, as you say in your follow-up post, that you want us all to restrict ourselves to a few schools? Shouldn't you trust the schools themselves over total strangers on the internet.? And are you this nasty in person?

[Anonymous]

OP -- Obviously people want to discuss this topic in broader terms than the ones you specified. Let them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not call the ADs if, as you say in your follow-up post, that you want us all to restrict ourselves to a few schools? Shouldn't you trust the schools themselves over total strangers on the internet.? And are you this nasty in person?

OP here. What did I say that was nasty (and if so, purely unintentionally)? I expounded upon my title question in my initital posting, specifing the schools. I figured that a title can only be so long. Yes, my question has specific parameters as those are the schools I would like to know about. I also stated that I do not want to ask the schools. I would prefer to hear from from those with actual parental experience in each school as that may reveal someone who had a unique experience. For instance, if their child was pulled out for a special class or pilot reading program they might note it. It also will tell me more about what people at those schools are experiencing. One can often surmise quite a bit from anecdotes.

I am sorry if I didn't ask about a school that you wanted me to ask about. I asked my question in the way that would generate the information in which I am interested. But, sure, never mind, go ahead and write about whatever school you would like... I certainly do not want to come across as mean or nasty because, to answer your last question, no, in person, I am not. *sigh*