The private kindergarten school system has come a long way over the past ten years in developing a teaching curriculum that works for children. As the world shifts to a more child-focused teaching environment, private schools are leading the charge. In this article, Strelitz International Academy, a private kindergarten near Chesapeake, VA , reviews the ways that kindergarten has changed over the past ten years.
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Kindergarten 10 Years Ago
Within the past ten years, school programs and curriculums have evolved to meet the needs of childhood development. As with many psychological discoveries, new information and techniques are learned every day. Because of this, teachers and administrators are constantly changing school curriculums to meet the needs of their students.
Public Kindergarten
In the public school system, we have seen this develop through the switch from the No Child Left Behind Act (2001) to the new Every Student Succeeds Act (2015). Up until recently, it was standard for kindergarten students to be pushed hard academically. Students were expected to leave kindergarten with enough knowledge to succeed in first grade. This rigorous academic expectation was made at the detriment of the child’s development of inquiry, social skills, and imagination. While this academic approach was effective, it was not the most effective approach.
Private Kindergarten Program
In the private school system, the development of learning objectives and curricula has followed a similar path. In more recent years, a 2018 study by the American Academy of Pediatrics demonstrates that students learn best through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. This shift towards a more student-centered learning environment has been fully implemented in the private kindergarten program at Strelitz International Academy.
Private Kindergarten Program Now
Unlike public schools, private schools are not directed to teach a specific curriculum by the state. Because of this, private schools are able to stay on top of the most recent childhood development research, and implement it into our learning environment. This has allowed us to switch much faster to a student-led learning environment and perfect this style of teaching much quicker.
Private schools are able to offer student-led learning activities instead of relying on memorization techniques. Similarly, students are not required to meet standardized testing measures and are instead encouraged to learn and explore things that interest them. This provides an opportunity for children to learn basic motor skills in kindergarten without relying on outdated methods of teaching.
International Baccalaureate
One of the ways that private kindergarten programs have created this environment is through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. This program uses the inquiry-based learning approach and encourages kindergartners to explore, play, and learn in a way that suits them. This teaching style has proven to be effective in developing well-rounded, high-achieving, global citizens that exceed inside and outside the classroom.
Your child’s success story starts in the classroom, you want to set them up for success with the right balance of values and academics. International Baccalaureate students are in an environment where their interests and strengths are fostered. This allows them to realize what they learn in the classroom is a reflection of the world around them.
Private Kindergarten in Virginia Beach
Are you looking for a private kindergarten in Virginia Beach that offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program? Strelitz International Academy is the private school for your child! Our team of teachers, administrators, and staff are dedicated to cultivating an environment when your little one can thrive. Our goal is to set them up for success. Not only for their goals as a student, but also for their goals as an individual.
You can read more about our Primary Years Program on our website and discover how your child can thrive. We are currently enrolling for the 2022-2023 school year and would love to see your kindergartner walking our halls.
To find out more and schedule a campus tour, please call 757-424-4327.
Frequently Asked Questions
Private kindergarten programs are early childhood education settings operated independently from the public school system. These programs are funded through tuition and private sources, giving them greater flexibility in curriculum design, teaching approaches, and classroom structure. Private kindergartens often offer smaller class sizes, individualized attention, and unique educational philosophies that prioritize the needs and interests of each child.
Over the past decade, private kindergarten programs have shifted from traditional, academically-driven models to more child-centered, inquiry-based approaches. With the freedom to adapt quickly to new research in childhood development, private schools have embraced hands-on learning, play-based activities, and social-emotional growth. This evolution allows students to develop critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills, preparing them for success both in and out of the classroom.
Private kindergarten offers several advantages, including:
- Smaller class sizes and lower student-to-teacher ratios for personalized learning
- Flexibility to implement the latest educational research and innovative teaching methods
- Emphasis on the whole child—academic, social, emotional, and physical development
- Enriched programs such as art, music, languages, and STEM from an early age
- Strong sense of community and partnership between families and educators
Private schools are not bound by state-mandated curricula or standardized testing requirements. This independence allows them to stay current with educational research and swiftly integrate new, effective teaching practices. As a result, private kindergartens can create learning environments that are responsive to each child’s needs and interests, focusing on skills like inquiry, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Yes, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program is designed specifically for young learners, including kindergartners. The IB approach fosters inquiry-based learning, encouraging children to explore, ask questions, and make connections between what they learn and the world around them. This method supports the development of well-rounded, confident, and globally-minded students from an early age.
Strelitz International Academy’s kindergarten program stands out for its commitment to a student-centered, inquiry-driven curriculum rooted in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. Our experienced educators create a nurturing environment where each child’s strengths and interests are valued. We focus on developing not only academic skills but also social, emotional, and global awareness—helping students thrive as learners and as individuals.
