Academics

Pre-Kindergarten

At Gerstell Academy, our Pre-Kindergarten program plants the seeds of leadership in the fertile minds and hearts of our youngest students. Our values-based Leadership model takes root with daily nurturing in an environment enriched by challenging opportunities to explore, interact, create, learn and play.
Leadership: Children learn respect and to treat others as they want to be treated by listening, taking turns, and showing good manners. Children find their voices at Leadership Circle by answering questions and presenting to peers.
 
College Preparatory Academics: Academic Readiness is reinforced through story time, play acting, puzzles, and games. STEAM activities promote critical and creative thinking skills. Art and Music stretch imagination. Science encourages exploration and experimentation. Hands-on Mathematics enhances number sense, patterns, and classification skills.
 
Physical Fitness: Children spend time at recess in unstructured play and develop body coordination and gross motor skills through physical education classes. Healthy habits such as nutritious eating and frequent hand washing are reinforced throughout the course of each day.
 
Modern Language Proficiency: Children are introduced to Spanish through songs, games, arts, and crafts led by Upper School students proficient in the Spanish language.
Gerstell’s Pre-Kindergarten offers:

  • Professional Educators with many years of teaching experience
  • Daily snacks and recess
  • Multiple opportunities for family involvement
  • Interactions with schoolmates in Kindergarten through Grade 12
  • Physical Education four times each week
  • Special Area Leaders teaching Art, Library/Media, IT, Music, and Science
  • Daily Centers and quiet time
  • Field Trips and Community Service
  • Affordable tuition: approximately $1050 per month, $10,500 for the academic year
  • Before Care, After Care, and Summer Camps also available on campus
 
Please call Ann Graham, Director of Lower School Admissions, at (410-861-4400) for more information or to plan a visit.

Feedback & Message from 2019 PreK parent(s):

"Here is what I love about Gerstell Academy's Lower School":
  • The small class size and individual attention is a wonderful setting for children to grow both academically and emotionally.
  • Many field trips to extend learning beyond the classroom - focus on leadership (principles and attributes, public speaking practice) - Spanish introduced at a young age - physical education classes almost every day (importance put on being physically fit)
  • Warmth of the teachers and administration, feels like a family
A message from PreK 2019 parent(s):
"I'm not sure you will ever understand the impact you had on our sweet [boy]. He would not leave me ever! And when he did? He was withdrawn and scared and completely lacked confidence! You transformed our boy!...Even if it was not the case, [my son] believed he was your favorite kid and it meant so so so much to him....Thank you for all the special things and attention you have given [our son]! It did not go unnoticed and you are truly a special educator!"
2500 Old Westminster Pike
Finksburg, MD 21048-1823
410-861-3000
1-866-861-3300