Children create. Children explore. Teachers incorporate learning goals through monthly units and themes, which invite the young child to discover. The program at Rainbow Academy provides a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children. The learning environment and teachers' plans for each class are developed with knowledge
of the typical development of children within the age span of that particular class. However, each child is a unique individual with his own pattern of timing and growth, as well as individual personality, learning style, and family background. Learning in children occurs when there is an interaction between the child's thoughts and experiences with materials, ideas, and people. These experiences should match the child's developing abilities, while also challenging the child's interest and understanding. In this way, we blend what is age appropriate with individual appropriateness to provide a quality "developmentally appropriate" program for every child. In recognizing the uniqueness of each child, Rainbow Academy welcomes and embraces children with learning differences
The school is housed in a uniquely designed renovated “barn.” Immediately upon entering the property, it is obvious that the program was designed specifically with children in mind. Candy, the pony, meanders in a split-railed paddock, with her miniature donkey friend, Tingalayo. A small petting area, with sheep, goats, and chickens is close by. Nature and children go hand in hand as children explore and care for the gardens on the property – including a Butterfly Garden, Sunflower Garden, Melody Garden and Vegetable Garden. Seeds are planted and flowers are cultivated in the greenhouse. There are three large playgrounds, a big wheel and trike court, basketball nets, beach volleyball, fields for ball sports and running. Three pools are nestled among large trees – two pools for swimming instruction and recreation, another pool (with a fountain) for wading and games. The facility is well manicured, colorful, and a delight! Upon entering the school building, one is immediately impressed with the bright and cheerful art creations done by the children, as well as photographs of them at play. Classrooms on both floors surround a large indoor learning center play area. Our classrooms and indoor creative play area are divided into “centers” where children engage in both self-initiated and teacher-directed activity. All of the classrooms are print-rich and include both a whole language and phonetic pre-literacy program. Children have an opportunity for creative art expression daily. Our science center includes school pets, books, microscopes, and methods of involving children in estimating, making predictions, and exploring. Our dramatic play area invites children to dress-up and put on plays, create puppet acts, and pretend. Music enrichment is provided by the teachers, but also by specialists who come to the school to enthrall the children in music programs. Computers are available to all children, and are used for games, sending E-mail to parents, and printing stories. The growth of human excellence is developed through our Kindness Curriculum, which includes time set aside for Morning Meetings as well as taking time to teach young children to communicate and appreciate each other. Families are an integral part of the curriculum, as they bring their careers, culture, and dynamics into the classrooms. Parents and grandparents are welcome partners to Rainbow Academy! We believe that children are a delight!
