Self Development Preschool opened in 1988 for infants through age five to provide a well-rounded and an enriched program in a nurturing environment.
Unique to Self Development Preschool is the design of its curriculum that was developed to ensure the preschoolers are highly prepared for school success and beyond.
The accelerated and thematic preschool curriculum that was developed by Dr. Anjum Majeed, the founder, promotes social and emotional development of children. The preschool incorporates a STEM Room with iPads, music and art appreciation, and gross and fine motor movements.
In an industry where the staff turnover rate is very high, the preschool boasts of having many staff on its campus for over two decades. The staff retention rate is outstanding and many staff members are now teaching the second generations of families. The staff love doing what they do. In turn, children, parents and grandparents appreciate seeing the same familiar faces year after year.
Terri Wood is a former parent and current grandparent of a Self Development student. “My son attended Self Development Preschool from the time he was three months old until we moved when he was five. I was heartbroken. Self Development Preschool was like a part of our family,” Terri said.
“I am now a grandparent and I was thrilled when my son called and said they were going to enroll my grandson at Self Development Preschool. When I take my grandson to preschool it is with confidence that he is getting the best care out there and he is learning so much! It is wonderful to have Vernetta and her staff back in our family once again!”
The children who attended the preschool were entering local kindergarten programs accelerated beyond their peers. The parents of the preschool children asked Dr. Majeed to open an elementary school for their children to continue to build upon their higher-level skills. Thus, at the request of the parents of the preschool, Self Development Academy – Mesa (SDA-Mesa) was established in 2000.
SDA-Mesa is the first in its family of four charter schools in the Phoenix area. SDA-Mesa, a top ranked elementary school in Arizona, serves K-8 grade students. Many students who attend SDA-Mesa began their early childhood education at Self Development Preschool.
The SDA curriculum continues to build upon the strong foundation of the private preschool and provides accelerated opportunities for students in a nurturing environment. The SDA-Mesa curriculum teaches a minimum of one grade level ahead of the Arizona standards.
SDA-Mesa’s program concentrates on mastery of math, reading and writing. In addition to academics, SDA prioritizes shaping its students into well-rounded individuals with a variety of hands-on learning programs that go beyond the typical lesson plan. Students have the opportunity to participate in science labs, take percussion lessons, learn about technology integration, and learn to appreciate and participate in art programs. A focus is put on higher-level thinking skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Logic and reasoning are part of the regular program for students to hone their critical thinking skills.
During middle school, students have the opportunity to complete Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Advanced Literature, Science including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and Technology. Many of these courses are not offered until high school. Students completing eighth grade at SDA are enrolled in Honors and Advanced Placement courses upon entering high school and often they graduate among the top of their classes in the surrounding high schools.
The high expectations and nurturing environment provided at SDA has led to the designation as a top-ranking school in the state and nation throughout the 20 years of operation. The family-like nurturing environment has led to former students returning as employees, as well as the second generation of families attending SDA.
Your children will have an early start by enrolling them in a highly enriched early childhood educational environment at Self Development Preschool. Your children also deserve a strong foundation to develop a love for learning and hone critical thinking skills at K-8 grades with Self Development Academy.
Self Development Preschool and Self Development Academy-Mesa are located at Greenfield and McKellips roads, adjacent to each other. Please contact Self Development Preschool, a private preschool program with before and after school care, at (480) 396-3522. For more information about Self Development Academy, a tuition free, K-8 public charter school, please call (480) 641-2640.