The kindergarten program at Self Development Academy (SDA) enjoys an exceptional reputation among the parents.
According to Naomi Goodwin, parent and administration team member, “The SDA kindergarten teachers and aides are exceptional. They make coming to school fun and exciting. My son has learned so much since the start of school. I tip my hat off to the kindergarten staff for making the first year of school enjoyable and fun.”
Comments and testimonies such as these are heard over and over again from SDA parents. A student’s path
to academic success begins with the kindergarten program at SDA.
SDA
SDA, a public charter school serving students from kindergarten through grade 8, is known in the local community and statewide for its outstanding academic programs. Now in its 18th year, SDA consistently has been ranked among the top elementary and junior high schools in the state. The success of SDA students is due to a visionary leader, Dr. Anjum Majeed, dedicated faculty and staff, supportive parents and hardworking, diligent students.
The SDA Core Curriculum
SDA offers an accelerated curriculum, with students learning a minimum of one grade level ahead of the Arizona Department of Education Standards. The SDA kindergarten curriculum emphasizes two main areas of Language Arts and Mathematics. The Language Arts curriculum focuses on phonemic awareness, reading fluency, reading comprehension, handwriting and grammar. At the end of the kindergarten year, students are reading fluently at the grade 1 level and writing complete sentences, even creating their own storybooks. Number sense, addition and subtraction, fractions and patterns, as well as the basics of time and money, are components of the Mathematics curriculum. During the kindergarten year, students master the concept of addition and subtraction and memorize Math Facts. By the end of the kindergarten year, SDA students are well prepared to continue with the accelerated curriculum as grade 1 students.
Specials at SDA
In addition to laying a strong Language Arts and Mathematics foundation, SDA offers weekly specials, including physical education, music, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), and art classes.
Mrs. Christy Porter, the music and violin teacher at SDA for more than six years, leads the music class. The students showcase their musical talents twice a year at the Winter Program and Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony. Each classroom at SDA has an interactive computer board, allowing technology to be woven into curriculum, as well. Through specials, the kindergarten students develop other important skills, such as gross and fine motor and social skills.
The SDA Kindergarten Team
The success of the kindergarten program is due in large part to the SDA Kindergarten Team. The Kindergarten Team is made up of Mrs. Kathi Haschke, Mrs. Lori Redivo and Mrs. Kelli Wolfe. Kindergarten aides, Ms. Liz Pierson and Mrs. Kimberly Ladd, and other school personnel support the kindergarten program and students, too. The teachers and staff foster the high academic and personal standards of the program in a nurturing environment. The Kindergarten Team is passionate about educating children, many serving the SDA community for more than five years. The team is dedicated to being a special part of the students’ educational experiences.
Please join us for Kindergarten Information Nights, on Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, at 6:15 p.m. Enroll now. Limited spaces are available for the 2018 – 2019 school year. For more information regarding SDA, or to arrange a tour, please contact the Front Office at (480) 641-2640.