Trinity School’s Kindergarten Transition Program is designed for children who have completed a four-year-old preschool program or those who are close to meeting the age requirement for Kindergarten but would benefit from an additional year to develop further. This extra year offers many children the invaluable opportunity to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. The program acts as a bridge between Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, providing the academic foundation and social experiences of a traditional setting—at a pace that supports individual readiness.
Recognizing that children develop at their own pace and in unique ways, Trinity’s Kindergarten Transition Program offers time, guidance, and expert instruction to support continued growth. Through intentional learning opportunities and relationship-building experiences, students strengthen essential skills in a nurturing environment. By the end of the program, children emerge confident, capable, and well-prepared to begin their elementary school journey.
A Snapshot of the Student Experience
At Trinity, we believe that play is a child’s most meaningful work. In our rich and engaging classroom environment, children, teachers, and peers collaborate as active participants in learning. They make choices as they explore thoughtfully prepared learning areas and materials. Through intentional interactions and guided conversations, children make plans anticipating what they intend to do, how they will do it, and with whom. Teachers support this process by helping children articulate their intentions and reflect on their experiences, fostering self-awareness, independence, and ownership of learning.
Our Kindergarten Transition classroom may include a blend of older four-year-olds and five-year-olds. Students receive personalized, differentiated instruction to meet their needs and learning goals.
Through ongoing project work, children explore and express ideas using a variety of media—conversation, art, writing, and hands-on invention. Teachers recognize and honor students' graphic language, whether it emerges as a painting, a sculpture, or written words. As teachers document and revisit these expressions with students, children begin to represent their thoughts more intentionally. This process lays the groundwork for future reading and writing, nurturing both creativity and literacy.
Curriculum Overview
Trinity’s Kindergarten Transition Program uses the Terra West curriculum, which equips children with the foundational learning skills they need to feel confident and capable in a classroom setting. In addition to developing key pre-literacy, early math, and cognitive skills, students build essential social-emotional competencies—including self-regulation, collaboration, and independence.
By offering an additional year before traditional Kindergarten, the program gives older four-year-olds and young five-year-olds the opportunity to grow at a developmentally appropriate pace. This intentional pause allows children to strengthen the skills needed for a smooth and successful transition to Kindergarten and beyond.
Benefits of Trinity's Kindergarten Transition Program
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Stronger Kindergarten Readiness
Students enter Kindergarten with greater confidence and foundational academic skills.
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Emphasis on Social and Emotional Growth
The program nurtures emotional maturity, self-regulation, and social development.
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Confident Communicators and Learners
Children learn to express their thoughts clearly and engage meaningfully in group settings.
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Individualized Attention
With small class sizes, a lead teacher and an assistant, students benefit from one-on-one instruction and support.