In the fall of 2020, Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child announced it would open a full-day pre-K program for 4-year-olds in Summit, New Jersey. Since graduating two classes of Little Acorns, the school is proud to announce today the addition of a half-day option to offer families additional flexibility during this period of rapid cognitive development in their children. Students enrolled in the half-day program may either transition to the full-day program mid-year or enroll in Oak Knoll’s full-day kindergarten the following year with foundational experience.

Research clearly supports the value of quality pre-K programs. Though a baby is born with all the brain cells (neurons) they will have throughout their entire life, it is the interconnections between these cells that truly foster brain function. At no stage in life will there be more neural connections forming than in the early years prior to age 5. In fact, the brain reaches 80% of its adult size by age 3 and 90% by age 5. Parents can capitalize on this amazingly rapid period of growth by enrolling their child in a pre-kindergarten program when they turn 4.

“We have a very rich and engaging pre-K program at Oak Knoll,” says Christine Spies, Lower School Division Head. “Our Little Acorns devote maximum time developing their communication, fine motor, reading, number concept, and social emotional skills. We educate the whole child and expose students to music, Spanish, drama, and technology, planting the seeds for a strong educational foundation.”

Half-day attendees at the Little Acorns Pre-K will engage in the same academics as the full-day students and they’ll also enjoy related arts classes and lunch. Half-day hours are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and students must be 4 years old by September 1 to attend. Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child is an independent Catholic school enrolling boys and girls in Pre-K through grade 6; and girls in grades 7 through 12. For more information, visit the Oak Knoll website or email admissions@oakknoll.org.