Begindergarten at ACA

Begindergarten offers benefits including improved academic readiness, social-emotional growth, and a smoother transition to kindergarten. Students in Begindergarten show stronger literacy and math skills, develop essential social skills like cooperation and self-regulation, and are more engaged in learning. This extra year provides a strong foundation for children that allows them to enter kindergarten more prepared for its expectations. All students in the Begindergarten class will automatically move to kindergarten the following year. 

Academic Benefits:

  • Improved literacy and math skills: Begindergarten students often enter kindergarten with a greater advantage in foundational literacy and math skills.
  • Smooth adjustment to kindergarten: Early exposure to academic routines and expectations helps children adjust more easily to the structure of kindergarten.

Social-Emotional Benefits:

  • Social skills development: Begindergarten classrooms provide a supportive environment for children to learn and practice cooperation, turn-taking, and conflict resolution.
  • Self-regulation and confidence: Structured activities in Begindergarten help build self-regulation, listening skills, and confidence, which are crucial for long-term success.
  • Increased engagement: Studies have shown that Begindergarten students are more engaged in learning when they start kindergarten compared to their peers who did not attend Begindergarten.

Which program is right for my child?
Our early elementary faculty evaluates each student in an effort to determine which of our programs will best meet the child's need. It is our goal that children receive the placement that allows for maximum success and growth! This program is often utilized by those students with summer birthdays. 

For Begindergarten and Kindergarten, those with a birthdate prior to September 15 will qualify for an Education Savings Account that can be allocated for tuition. For Begindergarten, those with a birthdate between September 15 and October 15 do not qualify for the Education Savings Account and will pay full tuition.

What are the next steps?

If you are interested in learning more about our begindergarten program or touring ACA, please email Abby Bogaards, communications director. If you would like to apply to the program, click the link below. 

What does the enrollment process look like?

ACA desires to be a partner with the parents and church to provide a Christian education. Each ACA student must come from a home where at least one parent or guardian is a Christian. To apply at ACA, each family will be asked to complete a spiritual reference, whether it be from a pastor or small group leader. The spiritual reference link can be found in the application. Families will be asked to sign the following policies annually at registration: 
Parent Partnership Commitment
Biblical Lifestyle Policy
Code of Conduct
Statement of Understanding

Application

Please note that all documentation (application, spiritual reference, and report card or note from preschool) must be submitted to be considered for enrollment. Once all parts of the application are completed, we’ll review your application, and we’ll invite you in for interviews with our principal and head of school. Applications will be processed in a timely manner in the order in which they are received. 

ESA can be used towards tuition if the family applies for ESA prior to June 30. 

Begindergarten Application