The Banner School Preschool, Frederick

The Banner School is a co-educational, independent school composed of a preschool (3- and 4-year-olds), primary school (kindergarten-4th grade), and a middle school for grades 5-8. Its mission, through the Learning Triangle and its diverse community of learners, is to provide a nurturing yet challenging environment that motivates students to become responsible citizens who lead by example. The Banner School promotes a strong school-family partnership, individual self-worth, and respect for others and strives to graduate responsible individuals who will contribute positively to society. Reflecting the diversity in today’s society and our student body, Banner provides an education with a global perspective through the study of various cultures, societies, and peoples of the world. Preschool is a significant experience for children as they develop socially, conceptually, emotionally, and academically. At Banner, we provide a program that supports the whole child, using hands-on exploration, movement, whole group and small group instruction, and familiar routines to help your child delight in learning. Our whole child, whole brain approach fosters self-confidence and specific academic competencies while supporting the blossoming character that Preschoolers are able to develop in structured, yet nurturing settings. The classroom is both indoors and outdoors, stimulating curiosity and wonder within students so they can forge connections between the world around as they develop science concepts. Learning with movement, sound and music, visual and verbal exploration, and social/interpersonal experiences expands the points of entry available as each child learns emergent literacy and emergent math skills. With small class sizes of 15 students or less, our Preschool teachers know each student as a person and as a learner. Banner prides itself on strong parent communication and the Banner Learning Triangle that creates a community of students, parents, and teachers working together to provide the richest opportunities for growing and learning. Our Preschoolers enjoy Music, Art, and Physical Education with our specialists, and will be introduced to Spanish as an important foundation for the language program here at Banner. Our STEAM initiative means that students as young as three and four years of age will be emerged in the connections between math, art, the sciences. Additionally, we incorporate technology in a developmentally appropriate manner that enables students to successfully use a device for educational purposes. A Banner School Preschooler graduates with a strong sense of self, a love of learning, important social skills, and an academic readiness for Kindergarten.