Growing With Us
From the first years of childhood through eighth grade, children at First Pres are invited to wonder, create, explore, and grow in a community that knows them well.
One School. Many Ways to Grow.
First Presbyterian School is designed to grow alongside children. Our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach honors children's curiosity, creativity, relationships, and growing independence at every age. As children move through the school, their experiences become increasingly expansive—from outdoor exploration and the arts to entrepreneurship, community service, leadership, and real-world learning.
Preschool
1s through Pre-K
Childhood is the curriculum.
Our youngest learners experience school as a place to wonder, play, create, investigate, and build relationships. Teachers follow children's interests and use those interests as starting points for deeper exploration.
- Child-led Reggio Emilia-inspired learning
- Play and project-based learning
- 50% of learning time spent outdoors
- Spanish and English bilingual education
- Weekly music classes
- Strong emphasis on the arts
- Building Blocks faith-based verses
Elementary
Kindergarten through 4th grade
Curiosity becomes deeper inquiry.
Elementary students continue learning through projects, play, research, artistic expression, outdoor experiences, and collaboration. Academic learning is connected to meaningful questions and real experiences.
- Reggio Emilia philosophy
- Play and project-based learning
- Emphasis on outdoor learning and play
- Faith teachings through the Nine Virtuous Roots
- Novel studies and integrated learning
- World languages through Rosetta Stone
- Theater, athletics, show choir, and visual arts
Experiences That Bring Learning to Life
Community Service
Children learn that they are members of a larger community and have something meaningful to contribute.
Student Marketplace
Entrepreneurship, creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem solving come together in a student-run experience.
School Musical & Art Show
Students have opportunities to share their creativity and learning through performance and visual art.
Middle School
5th through 8th grade
Independence meets opportunity.
As students grow older, learning expands beyond the classroom. Middle school students are given opportunities to create, build, lead, collaborate, explore careers, and take greater ownership of their learning.
- All elementary programs continue into middle school
- Band, orchestra, and art enrichment
- Makerspace experiences
- Sewing and woodshop
- Stained glass making
- Strong focus on entrepreneurship
- 8th-grade community business internship
- 8th-grade Legacy Trip
The First Pres Journey
The goal isn't simply to move children from one grade to the next. It is to gradually give them more voice, more responsibility, and more opportunities to engage with the world around them.
Wonder
Children explore their environment, build relationships, express ideas, and discover that their questions are worth asking.
Explore
Children investigate ideas more deeply, collaborate on projects, develop skills, and connect their learning to the community.
Lead
Students increasingly take ownership of their ideas, their work, their community, and the direction of their learning.
More Than a School Day
We know that families need flexibility, and we also believe that meaningful learning doesn't have to stop when the regular school day ends.
Extended Day
Available for preschool and Kinder students, with a combination of rest, play, and care.
Afternoon Enrichment
Hands-on activities and outdoor play extend the day with pickup options in the afternoon.
Fresh Meals
An optional school meal program provides nutritious, child-friendly meals in reusable containers.
Questions Families Often Have
Everything you need to know before taking the next step.
Come See the Difference
The best way to understand First Pres is to experience it. Come walk through our classrooms, explore our outdoor spaces, and see how children learn here.
Schedule a Tour Start Your ApplicationLooking for the details? View our current Parent Handbook.