Philosophy of Education

College Heights Kindergarten was established in 1954 by Mrs. Oscar Black. It is now a board run, not-for- profit school, licensed by the State of New Mexico, and a member of the Association of Christian Schools International. Mrs. Moon is the director and can be reached at 522-3334 if needed outside of school hours. Our mission has been to have a school that would help children develop in all aspects of their lives to become productive citizens and to understand God's love and His rules for living. We believe that real growth can only take place within the bounds of the Truth of Jesus Christ which is clearly stated in the Bible. Therefore, our instruction is centered in and grows out of the Truths of God’s Word, the Bible. Parents have the primary responsibility for the training and nurturing of their children. We do not wish to appropriate that role for ourselves, but rather be an extension of it. We are firmly committed to the belief that God established the family as the main building block of society and must do all we can to nurture it. We believe that the Bible teaches clearly that the family is established with the marriage of one male and one female, and out of that union He adds children. This is what we teach as God’s plan. However, as all of us are sinners, and we all fall short of God’s plan, we also teach the love and forgiveness that comes from our Father. Our approach is summed up in our logo—

We believe that all people are created in the image of God, so unlike animals we are able to think, learn, and grow. It is through learning that children develop their whole person—body, soul, and mind. Children are creative beings and must learn to develop their creativity. They, like Jesus, must grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52) However unlike Jesus, all of us –adults and children-- are fallen and sinful, and therefore must learn how to obey and to live in harmony with our fellow men. We believe these specific areas, as listed in Luke 2:52, are ones in which we can help children grow.

Wisdom… In academic areas such as phonics, reading, math, history, Bible, science, arts, music, and Spanish, we strive to develop a child’s intellect.

Stature… In structured play such as PE and in unstructured play times, training and opportunity is given to develop large and small muscle coordination.

Favor with God… In Bible studies and monthly character traits, in our conversation and discipline, in our conduct and lifestyles, we strive to grow together in our knowledge of God and our willingness to obey Him.

Favor with Men… In studies of home, community, country, and environment, the children learn the basics of living cooperatively. In our discipline and lifestyles we learn consequences of behaviors. In our interaction with others we learn to be responsible citizens and good leaders.

We believe children learn in many ways, therefore we strive to have a balanced approach to education involving hands-on, play-oriented experiences as well as more traditional academic instruction. We allow opportunities for many types of play, such as: free choice play, directed play, “construction play,” fine/gross motor play, dramatic play, and games with rules. Through these types of play, as well as through traditional academic instruction, we strive to develop fine motor coordination, listening skills, visual discrimination, mathematical concepts and general knowledge of the world around us.