Pre-Kindergarten – Ages 3 & 4
We understand that the early years of a child’s life are among his or her most significant. This is when the foundation is laid for healthy development and lifelong learning, when a child makes important gains in many areas of life. Children come to know themselves as unique creations of God, important members of a community, and successful learners. The development of their spiritual and moral lives, as well as their social, emotional, intellectual, and physical capacities, depends significantly upon what happens during these years of promise. With this in mind, and under the direction of both a lead teacher and a full-time teaching associate, the Pre-Kindergarten program at North Shore Christian School meets the unique needs of the young child.

We offer several Pre-Kindergarten programs. Our 4 year old Pre-K Program is located at our main campus on Urban St, Lynn. Our 3 and 4 Year Old Pre-K Programs are run at our other campuses: Austin Square campus (Austin Square Baptist Church - 10 Keslar Ave, Lynn), Marblehead campus (Grace Church - 19 Pleasant St, Marblehead) and Beacon campus (First Congregational - 35 Conant St, Beverly). The full day Pre-Kindergarten programs include learning experiences such as dramatic play, painting, sculpture, block building and the frequent use of outdoor space. Thematic studies focus on topics of interest to young learners, such as the seasons, animals, colors, boats, plants, and friendship. Celebration, worship, Bible stories and prayer are woven into the fabric of day-to-day life. Student’s learning is rooted in the richness of knowing that God loves them and understands them and that they belong to God.

Kindergarten – Grade 2
These grades are the foundation for a child’s educational journey, laying the groundwork for educational and spiritual development. North Shore provides a structured and exciting learning environment with a well-rounded program of creative, academic, spiritual and social experiences.

In these grades, children are becoming, day by day, a literate community. Throughout the year, book buddies, visitors, parents, and school faculty meet with children, share their favorite books and celebrate reading accomplishments. All year long we entice children with the beauty, humor, knowledge and power of written words.

Speaking, listening, reading and writing are inseparable parts of language development and are all based on the child’s widening experiences. The goal of the language arts program in the early grades is to nourish a love for books, foster interest in oral and written communication and help children gain confidence in their own abilities. Teachers create a range of opportunities for children to explore language and to reinforce and extend their skills.

The math program is geared to encourage children’s interest in math while building their confidence and strengthening their skills. The program emphasizes the use of concrete materials such as Cuisenaire rods, chips, pattern blocks, geoboards, and Unifix cubes. Typically, each year children practice such topics as sorting and classifying, patterning estimation, counting, number concepts, problem solving, money, time, measurement, geometry, computation, and organizing and interpreting data in graphs and charts.

Science and social studies are integral parts of the academic program. Through structured lessons, children make discoveries about the world around them. Their learning is enhanced by enriching field trips, Bible classes, physical education, music, art and weekly chapel programs.

Grades 3 - 5
At NSCS we take a balanced approach to literacy. The NSCS reading/language arts program provides instruction in reading and word study, including phonics, and frequent engagement in shared and independent reading. Writing instruction includes the writing process, writer’s craft, conventions of language, including spelling and grammar, and independent writing. Language arts instruction also focuses on the skills of listening and speaking.

The math program at NSCS emphasizes math as a way of thinking. We encourage students to find various ways to solve problems. Students consistently use manipulative math materials. Such experience vitally contributes to the understanding of mathematics, visual and verbal discrimination, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills. Most importantly, mathematics instruction is consistently made complete as it is used to address real and practical problems that are faced in life.

Science and history complement the program with projects that are often integrated with language arts. The curriculum also includes Bible classes, foreign language, physical education, music, art, weekly chapel programs and enriching field trips.