Programs
​"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world". Nelson Mandela
4-Year-Old Preschool Class
Early Education at North Whidbey Kid’s Academy is a dynamic, multidisciplinary program taught through a thoughtful balance of structured instruction and free exploration. Our integrated approach incorporates literacy, math, science, and the arts into creatively designed learning units that support both academic growth and social development.
We nurture each child’s cognitive, emotional, and physical needs through a predictable and reassuring daily routine that promotes learning, acceptance, inclusion, and confidence. Students thrive in our exploratory, multi-age environment, where self-care, wellness, and kindness are not just classroom goals, but foundational principles for lifelong success. Through this strong emphasis on character education paired with developmentally appropriate academics, children learn to ask questions, take risks, and express themselves freely without fear of failure.
Our Pre-K program prepares children for the adventure of a lifetime in school by developing early literacy skills, foundational math concepts, and essential social-emotional abilities. Small-group instruction, independent play in an organized environment, and whole-group activities work together to help children gain the skills they need to confidently hop, skip, and jump into kindergarten.
Early Childhood Program Philosophy (Pre-K & Kindergarten)
The North Whidbey Kid’s Academy Early Childhood Program reflects our innovative, research-based, and developmentally grounded approach to learning. Our curriculum intentionally supports each child’s intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth.
Learning is joyful, play-based, and child-centered, while also structured with a clear educational purpose. Academic challenge is carefully balanced with hands-on discovery, emphasizing the development of emergent literacy and foundational mathematical concepts.
Beyond the classroom, students enjoy a rich educational experience through participation in a variety of specialty classes, including Science, Art, Music, Physical Education, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Technology is thoughtfully integrated using Kindles, iPads, and Chromebooks as tools to support skill development and creative expression. Consistent with our educational philosophy, meaningful learning is rooted in strong, nurturing teacher-child relationships.
The Early Childhood Program is an integral part of North Whidbey Kid’s Academy — a school dedicated to academic excellence, dynamic learning, and strong community connections.
Pre-K Language Arts
Our Pre-K language arts curriculum is designed to nurture a love of reading, writing, and storytelling while developing foundational skills in alphabet knowledge and print concepts. Using a balanced whole-language and skills-based approach, children are immersed in a language-rich environment that includes daily read-alouds, exposure to over 200 award-winning children’s books, and monthly author studies.
Writing is exploratory, sound-based, and play-driven, allowing children to naturally experiment with letters, words, and storytelling through classroom routines, social studies activities, and creative play.
Pre-K Mathematics
The Pre-K math curriculum focuses on developing foundational mathematical skills, including number sense, quantity, and numerical relationships. Children explore math concepts through hands-on materials such as blocks, puzzles, games, and manipulatives. Mathematical thinking is encouraged through purposeful play and everyday classroom activities, including calendar time, problem-solving tasks, and structured exploration.
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Kindergarten • First Grade • Second Grade
At North Whidbey Kid’s Academy, students develop mastery of essential academic skills while continuing to grow in character, confidence, and independence. Our curriculum is aligned with Common Core Standards, which clearly define what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. These standards provide teachers with instructional guidance and help families understand academic expectations, ensuring that all students build the knowledge and skills necessary for success in school and beyond.
High academic standards, paired with individualized instruction and strong teacher-student relationships, allow children to thrive in a supportive, engaging learning environment. Our goal is to develop confident learners who are prepared not only for academic success but also for life.
Language Arts Curriculum
The language arts curriculum in Kindergarten through second grade focuses on developing strong foundational literacy skills as children grow into confident readers and writers. Instruction is guided by the Read Well Program and Tara West Literacy Program, both of which are research-based and designed to strengthen phonological awareness, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension while promoting critical thinking, speaking, and listening skills.
Students participate in guided reading groups that combine whole language instruction, balanced literacy practices, and skill-based teaching. These small groups are ability-based and flexible, allowing instruction to meet the unique learning needs and pace of each child. Teachers carefully monitor progress and adjust groups to ensure optimal growth.
Daily classroom activities also include:
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Whole-group read-alouds
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Independent reading time
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Partner and small-group reading
Beginning in second grade, independent reading becomes a daily classroom routine, fostering responsibility, stamina, and a love of reading.
Writing instruction begins in Kindergarten through a structured process-writing model that guides students through planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. As students progress, they engage in narrative, opinion, and informational writing. In second grade, research and expository writing are introduced. First-grade students transition from sound-based spelling to more conventional spelling patterns, while cursive handwriting instruction begins in second grade.
Mathematics Curriculum
In Kindergarten through second grade, students engage in a comprehensive math program aligned with Common Core Learning Standards. Instruction emphasizes conceptual understanding, problem-solving, and critical thinking through hands-on, engaging activities.
Teachers model mathematical concepts using concrete materials, visual representations, and abstract reasoning, helping students build strong connections between all three. Instruction is delivered through:
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Whole-group lessons
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Small-group cooperative learning
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Independent practice
Through intentional questioning, flexible grouping, and individualized support, instruction is differentiated to meet the needs of a wide range of learners.
Mathematics instruction is organized around big ideas, such as number sense, place value, and mathematical relationships. Students not only learn how to perform operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but also develop a deep understanding of why and how these algorithms work.
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Social Studies/Science/Technology/Music
Social Studies
The North Whidbey Kid’s Academy social studies program is designed to help children develop the skills of young social scientists while nurturing a growing awareness of self, others, society, and the surrounding world—both past and present. From Pre-K through second grade, students explore an expanding circle of understanding, beginning with family and the classroom and gradually extending outward to the school, local community, and the broader world.
Children engage in hands-on learning experiences that emphasize families, cultures, traditions, classrooms, and schools. Through meaningful interactions, discussion, exploration, and real-world connections, students develop empathy, respect, responsibility, and an appreciation for diversity. This approach helps children better understand their role in their community and the importance of kindness, cooperation, and citizenship.
Science
The North Whidbey Kid’s Academy science program follows a spiral curriculum that explores concepts in physical, life, and earth sciences. Hands-on experimentation, observation, and inquiry are central to instruction, encouraging children’s natural curiosity and love of discovery.
Through exploration and guided investigation, students learn to think and act like scientists. They develop essential scientific process skills including:
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Observation
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Classification
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Measurement
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Prediction
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Hypothesis formation
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Experimentation
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Data collection, recording, and communication
The Pre-K through second grade science curriculum includes topics such as:
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Air, water, and soil
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Seasons and weather
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Astronomy and the solar system
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Plants, animals, and food chains
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Magnets, sound, light, and color
These engaging studies foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.
Technology
Technology at North Whidbey Kid’s Academy is thoughtfully and seamlessly integrated across all subject areas, including language arts, math, science, social studies, and music. Students learn through hands-on experiences as new tools, programs, and apps are introduced within meaningful curriculum units. Over time, these resources become part of an expanding digital toolbox that supports creativity, collaboration, and learning.
Digital Citizenship and Internet Safety are foundational components of our technology program beginning in Pre-K and continuing through second grade. Students learn about:
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Keeping personal information private
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Online kindness and respect
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Cyberbullying awareness
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Internet safety
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Responsible digital citizenship
In Pre-K through first grade, students primarily use Kindles and iPads to:
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Learn basic technology terminology, navigation, and care
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Practice literacy and math skills through educational apps
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Record themselves reading to develop fluency, expression, and pacing
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Create digital stories and narrated presentations
As students build confidence, they are encouraged to independently use technology to document learning, share ideas, and express creativity.
In first through second grade, students expand their technology use to include Chromebooks, developing keyboarding skills, exploring multimedia platforms, utilizing graphic organizers, creating presentations, and accessing educational websites to reinforce and extend learning across content areas.
Art
The Pre-K through second grade visual arts curriculum nurtures children’s natural creativity while developing fine and gross motor skills, coordination, and artistic confidence. Students explore a wide variety of materials, tools, and techniques through increasingly complex projects as their abilities grow.
Key artistic concepts include:
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Color
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Shape
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Texture
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Line
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Design principles
Children learn to follow multi-step directions, develop positive work habits, and practice proper use and care of art materials. Both independent and collaborative projects are incorporated, allowing students to express themselves through two- and three-dimensional artwork while learning to appreciate and respect their own creations and those of their peers.
Music
The music program for Pre-K through second grade fosters a lifelong love of music while developing foundational musical skills and concepts. Through singing, creative movement, rhythm activities, instrument exploration, and conducting, students learn about meter, musical form, phrasing, and expression.
Music instruction is integrated across the curriculum, reinforcing learning in math, social studies, language arts, and science. These meaningful connections allow children to deepen understanding while experiencing the joy, creativity, and emotional expression that music provides.
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