St. Christopher's School | Junior Kindergarten

Junior Kindergarten

Our Junior Kindergarten program is designed to prepare four and five year-old boys for our kindergarten program. Because the timetable for each boy’s development is different, the beginning years of school are more successful when attention span, social aptitude, emotional maturity and fine motor skills have reached a balance.

Research and decades of experience have shown that giving children the extra time they need to develop socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually can make the difference in academic success throughout a child’s school career. These initial educational experiences are critical in developing children’s attitudes about school and about themselves - impressions that can last a lifetime.

Our Junior Kindergarten program goes beyond the scope of preschool, delivering a modified kindergarten experience and curriculum that builds a strong foundation for their educational lives.

In the world of early childhood, the process of growing, discovering and experiencing is a wonderful blend of what is real and what is make-believe. We cultivate learning by helping the boys make meaningful connections to the real world as well as to the world of their imaginations. We tap into each boy’s learning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

Q. WHAT ARE THE AGE RANGES OR BIRTHDAYS TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR JK?

We have two sections of Junior Kindergarten. To be eligibile for our JK program, your son must turn four by August 31st of his entering year.
Q. WHAT IS THE TESTING PROCESS FOR JK?

All applicants take the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), a test that gives us an age-normed assessment of a child's cognitive development. Additionally, all applicants take an age-appropriate readiness test administered by our Lower School teachers. Finally, our office will send a preschool evaluation form to your son’s current teacher.
Q. WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR THE APPLICATION PROCESS?

The process officially kicks off in September one-year prior to entry. Our admissions office will mail a packet of information including a brochure about our Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs, specifics about the admissions process and required forms to all applicant families. JK/K Parent Open Houses will be held in October and November for interested parents to come and learn more about our program. In addition, we have a JK House Tour for parents interested in JK to meet the teachers and see our unique JK houses. Psychological testing begins in November and runs through January. Our required readiness testing takes place on a Saturday in January. Decision letters are sent electronically to all families in February.
Q. HOW LONG IS THE JK SCHOOL DAY?

Our Junior Kindergarten follows the same schedule as our Lower School. The school day runs 8:00 a.m. until 2:40 p.m. from Monday – Thursday with a 2:05 p.m. dismissal on Fridays. Extended Day is available Monday – Friday with dismissal times of 4 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.
Q. WHERE IS THE JK PROGRAM LOCATED?

JK boys spend their day in two houses that have been uniquely renovated to offer a variety of spaces for our boys to explore and grow. These houses are located on Pepper Avenue with easy access to our Lower School.

Meet the JK Team

List of 5 members.

Deborah "Debbie" Brown

Lower School Teacher of Junior Kingergarten

Warren Wilson College - B.A.
Western Carolina University - M.A.
University of North Carolina, Asheville - Teacher Certification
Margaret Hunter

Lower School Teacher of Junior Kindergarten & John Page Williams '27 Chair of Distinguished Teaching

(804) 282-3185 x2665

University of Virginia - BA
University of Virginia - MT
Sedinam "Amma" Gatty

Lower School Co-Teacher

(804) 282-3185 x2200

Strayer University - Masters
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology - Bachelors
North Carolina State University - Graduate Certificate
Holly Moreland

Lower School Co-Teacher

(804) 282-3185 x2607

Georgetown University - BA
Melissa Whitley

Extended Day Teacher

(804) 282-3185 x 2382

University of the South - BS