We teach life, differently.

Philosophy

At First Presbyterian School, we treasure and celebrate childhood, embracing the natural curiosity, creativity, and boundless potential within every child. We believe that learning isa journey of discovery—one that is nurtured through play, exploration, and meaningful
connections with the world around us.

Rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy and inspired by the beauty of nature, language, culture, and the arts, our classrooms are vibrant spaces where children’s voices are heard, their ideas are honored, and their imaginations take flight. We nurture an environment
where students are given the time and freedom to inquire, create, and engage in collaboration, fostering independence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

Through project-based and play-based experiences, children deeply engage with their environment, weaving together academic and creative pursuits in ways that are both joyful and authentic. They sculpt stories from their discoveries, paint their understanding
of the world, and express complex ideas through movement, music, and design. Whether climbing trees, composing melodies, or uncovering the stories of civilizations past, our students learn by doing, questioning, and reflecting—developing both the skills and the confidence to navigate an ever-changing world.

Together—families, teachers, and students—we cultivate a learning community where every child’s worth and dignity are celebrated. As a school sponsored by a Christian church, we share the stories of our faith while embracing the rich diversity of traditions in our community, fostering empathy, understanding, and deep respect for one another. Our children will go forth as engaged citizens, compassionate leaders, and innovative thinkers—builders of inclusive and peaceful communities who recognize that learning is not just preparation for life, but life itself.

Guiding Principles

In the Reggio Emilia Approach, there is a coined expression: “A child has a hundred languages.” This philosophy unites and develops all forms of expression—innovation, nature, construction, fantasy, art, music, dance, building, writing, talking, signing, science, body, and soul. These multiple languages help children build knowledge and understand the world around them in meaningful ways.

We view children as collaborators, communicators, and protagonists in their own learning. They are active participants, expressing their thoughts, asking questions, and engaging deeply with the world. Teachers take on many roles as nurturers, partners, guides, researchers, observers and advocates, supporting each child’s curiosity while providing encouragement and structure. Learning is a social process, and collaboration is at the heart of our approach. Through group projects, shared inquiry, and meaningful interactions, students develop communication skills, empathy, and a sense of responsibility to their community.

The environment acts as the “third teacher,” intentionally designed to inspire exploration, independence, and creativity. Natural light, open-ended materials, and inviting spaces encourage curiosity and hands-on learning. Families are essential partners in a child’s education, and we value their role in fostering a strong connection between home and school.

Documentation plays a vital role in our classrooms, capturing the learning process through photographs, journals, student reflections, and portfolios. This makes growth visible, allowing children to see their progress and teachers to tailor learning experiences to each student’s journey. By embracing these principles, we create a learning environment where children are encouraged to wonder, explore, and express themselves in ways that honor their unique perspectives and limitless potential.

The Nine Virtuous Roots

Nine Virtuous Roots: The roots of a tree connect it to the earth to hold it upright, and provide it with nourishment to grow. In the same way, our core values connect us to our communities, help us make good choices and provide nourishment for our spiritual and emotional growth. The nine virtues we emphasize at First Presbyterian School come from the Christian Bible, but have been embraced and practiced by people of good character in many traditions. These virtues extend beyond the classroom and take root in conversations, interactions, and decisions of our wider community- parents, teachers and students alike. In this way, we are all connected, all nourished, all growing, teaching and learning together. The nine virtuous roots are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Building Blocks

Our preschool program is built on a foundation of Christian principles, woven seamlessly into every aspect of our learning and play. We believe that nurturing a child’s spiritual growth is just as important as fostering their academic and social development. This is reflected in our nine character builders, which serve as a common thread throughout our entire program. These aren’t just words; they’re the values we live by and teach every day. From “In the Beginning,” the first principle to be introduced, to “We Are Happy,” our last value, we help children understand and embody these principles through stories, songs, activities, and, most importantly, by modeling them ourselves. This integrated approach
ensures that children not only learn these values but also experience them in action, building a strong moral compass that will guide them throughout their lives.

The Reggio Emilia Way

The Reggio Emilia approach often involves beginning lessons with a question for the students. For example, many schools may give students tools like a pen and paper, and tell them to draw something. Reggio Emilia-style schools give students the same tools and ask, “What do you think you can do with pen and paper?” An early foundation in Reggio Emilia prepares even the youngest child for a lifetime of making choices, and awareness of what impact their choices can have.