Skills Our Graduates Learn at SIA

Posted on Wednesday February 23 , 2022 by Carin Simon
A student getting the graduation certificate from Heather Moore

Strelitz International Academy is an International Baccalaureate® elementary school in Virginia Beach and centrally located near Norfolk and Chesapeake. Our students experience an inquiry-based curriculum in which they learn a number of skills. These skills are applied inside and outside of the classroom. Thus, creating well-rounded individuals with critical thinking abilities. As the best affordable private school, we are proud to offer a bit of wisdom on how our program works.

Learning at SIA-An IB® PYP School

At Strelitz International Academy, we believe in setting your child up for success. That is why outside of the core curriculum, we work to provide our students with the skills they need to be excellent students and productive adults. A school is a place for learning. And in addition to the academic lessons, students at SIA learn the motor skills and morals that make them better humans. This includes learning critical thinking and analytical skills, language skills, music skills, and global understanding.

Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills

Strelitz International Academy follows the International Baccalaureate® (IB) approach to learning. Consequently, this approach uses inquiry-based learning as its foundation. Because of this, students at SIA are encouraged to ask questions and find the answers through research and discussion. Similarly, students are provided the room to think critically and independently. The IB program allows students to use their critical thinking and analytical skills. This allows them to solve problems, answer questions, and have productive conversations with their peers.

Language Skills

Students at SIA develop language skills through the use and appreciation of Hebrew. Because of this, children learn the Hebrew language in conversational and biblical understanding. As a result, understanding a second language is embedded into the many teachings and classes that we offer. This includes our course titled, Jewish life and learning. As a result, students learn to take action from the lessons they learn.

Music Skills

Music is both an art and a science. As a result, children are given the opportunity to express themselves. This comes from the technical aspects of learning an instrument and the creative aspects of creating music. Because of this, our program at SIA exposes students to music and instruments at a young age. These various instruments-Suzuki violins, other string instruments, recorders, and bells-allow students to explore the Jewish culture and build a creative foundation. Many of our graduates go on to take orchestra or band in Middle and High School because of their music foundation at SIA.

Global Understanding

The social studies program at SIA exposes students to a variety of cultures and communities. As a result, students learn the importance of their actions in regard to the world around them. We work with programs such as National Geographic Explorers and Empatico. This allows our students to connect with a global community. With the knowledge and ideals they learn, students feel empowered to be better global citizens.

Graduates of SIA

At SIA, children learn a variety of skills and lessons with the IB® program. Therefore, students who graduate from SIA, go on to become well-informed, productive, and high-achieving members of society. These skills help them be successful in all areas of life. As a result, our students become critical thinkers with analytical skills, multi-lingual, talented, and global citizens. Our students gain a wonderful foundation to set them up for success in Middle School and High School. During their last year at SIA, students are advised of top middle school programs in the area. Our students successfully transition to these programs with the skills they need to be successful.

Best Private Elementary Schools Virginia Beach

If you are looking for the best private elementary school in the Tidewater area, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, or Norfolk, Strelitz International Academy is here to help. We pride ourselves on the inquiry-based learning approach provided by the International Baccalaureate® program. The skills our graduates learn, set them up to be successful students and adults.

Interested in learning more? Check out our website to see how your child could develop and grow these invaluable skills. We are currently enrolling for the 2022-2023 school year and would love to see your child thrive.

To find out more and schedule a campus tour, please call 757-424-4327.

The Ethics of a Successful Private Preschool in Virginia Beach

Posted on Wednesday February 16 , 2022 by Carin Simon
Preschoolers playing with teacher in the classroom

In many public schools, underfunding, lack of resources, and strict lesson plans can prevent your child from being successful. This can lead to an ethical dilemma for parents who are looking to set their children up for success. In this article, Strelitz International Academy, a private school with a preschool program in Virginia Beach, discusses the ethics of sending your child to a private preschool program.

Pre K Private School

As their children grow, many parents are concerned about setting their children up for success. In order to get ahead of the curve, these parents enroll their children in pre-school. Pre-school acts as a way for students to learn motor skills while also playing and having fun. However, as later education (elementary school) becomes more intense, so too do the pre-schools. Instead of allowing 3 or 4-year-olds to be children, many pre-schools are moving to a stricter, academic environment.

However, unlike public schools, private preschools are able to provide balance. They can adjust these new academic expectations to fit the child’s needs. This shift towards a more academic environment has led many parents to an ethical dilemma. They want to set their child up for success, but they also want them to be a kid. This leaves them with one question in mind—should I send my child to private preschool?

Ethics to Consider of Private Preschool for 3-Year-Olds

Many parents are turning to private schools in order to better meet their child’s needs. Let us consider the ethics of sending your child to a private school. With a private preschool education, your child will have the resources, teaching style, schedule, foundation, and support system to succeed in middle and high school.

Resources

In private preschools, children are able to benefit from the abundance of resources that private schools provide. This can include physical resources such as up-to-date textbooks, advanced technology, or class space. It can also include intangible resources such as after-school programs, disability resources, liberal arts courses, or even highly-qualified teachers.

Different Learning Styles

Different children have different learning styles. As discussed in the International Baccalaureate Approach the best way to blend these styles is through hands-on learning. The hands-on learning style is a blend of visual and auditory learning, thus it works for almost every child.

When your child goes to a private preschool, they are introduced to an inquiry-based learning program. Because private schools do not rely on government funding they are able to adapt lessons. This allows them to spend more time with each child. Thus ensuring they learn in a way that is best for them.

Adjust the Schedule

Private preschools are able to adjust their schedule according to the needs of their community. Instead of relying on government-mandated school closures, the private school system operates independently and forms its own schedule. This allows them to close/open based on weather conditions, religious holidays, or even illness/COVID.

Strong Knowledge Foundation

One of the main goals of preschool is to prepare children for the lessons they will receive in later years. With a private preschool, they are able to continue with a strong foundation which will support them through middle and high school. With a private primary school/preschool experience your child is set up to thrive as a student and as an individual.

Lifelong Friendships

With a private school education, students are set up to have lifelong friendships with people who hold similar values. In preschool, students form a foundation of values and beliefs that persist throughout their adult lives. This set of values is a large part of student life in a private school. As they progress through the grades these values follow them and remain an important part of their education. Because of this, students grow and develop with children who share their values and belief systems, creating a supportive community of like-minded individuals.

Private Preschools Set Your Child Up For Success

As you can see, there are a variety of benefits to sending your child to a private preschool. With private preschool, your child has the resources, qualified teachers, and adequate funding they need. And they can learn and develop the building blocks of knowledge at their own pace. A Pre-K private school is able to focus on your child’s individual success. This ensures they are ready to move on to the next level.

With the International Baccalaureate approach to learning, your child learns the curriculum. But they also learn communication and social skills that set them up to be successful adults.

Private Preschools in Virginia Beach

Are you looking for a private preschool in Virginia Beach? Strelitz International Academy is the place for you! Our preschool curriculum fosters the natural curiosity/imagination of your child and funnels it into productive, academic learning. Teachers develop learning activities centered around student’s interests. Because of this, your child is set up to be a successful student and global citizen.

Interested in learning more? Visit our Early Years Program page to see a detailed “day in the life” of our private preschool in Virginia Beach. Like what you see? We are currently enrolling for the 2022-2023 academic year. We would love to schedule a campus tour with you! Reach out to us at 757-424-4327.

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