Our Programs
Pre-K
Children who are turning 4 years old by Sept. 1st.
Our Pre-K program in Gilbert is designed to prepare students to enter Kindergarten. The students learn to read through phonemic awareness (letters have specific sounds); consonants and vowels; blending sounds to create words and combining words to make sentences; left-to-right and top-to-bottom progression; and reading words with two vowels. We are the only preschool in Arizona licensed to teach the Learning Dynamics Reading Program (a nationally recognized early reading model). Most students graduate from the Pre-K program being able to read on a Kindergarten to First Grade level.
In addition to our reading program, we teach Pre-Math, Pre-Science, Pre-Art, and Social/Emotional Skills through daily theme-based lessons and activities, music, and hands-on learning. Students also learn to write their first and last names using both upper- and lower-case letters.
2-Day – T | TH
3-Day – M | W | F
5-Day – M-F
Morning Session – 9:00am-11:15am
Afternoon Session – 12:00pm-2:15pm
Pre-School
Children who are turning 3 years old by Sept. 1st.
Our Preschool program in Gilbert is the pre-reading phase of the program. It consists of teaching the children that our words are made up of letters that make sounds and in turn these words make up our language. We teach the children the name and sound of each letter (always associating the two together) through music and the use of flashcards.
We are the only preschool in Arizona licensed to teach the Learning Dynamics Reading Program (a nationally recognized early reading model). Students finishing the school year with the Preschool Program are prepared for the Pre-K Reading phase of the program, which teaches more in-depth reading skills.
In addition to our reading program, we teach Pre-Math, Pre-Science, Pre-Art, and Social/Emotional Skills through daily theme-based lessons and activities, music, and hands-on learning. Students also learn to write their first names using both upper- and lower-case letters.
2-Day – T | TH
3-Day – M | W | F
Morning Session – 9:00am-11:15am
Afternoon Session – 12:00pm-2:15pm
Mini’s
Children who are at least 2 1/2 years old and do not turn 3 years old before Sept. 1st.
The Mini’s Program is intended for children who miss the September 1st cut-off date that would allow them to attend our Preschool Program, yet still desire to attend school. It is designed to be an introductory program, with many value-added concepts taught in couplets. The program runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
The focus of the Mini’s Program is to provide a place for these very young children to learn through creative exploration, learn to briefly separate from parents, learn to get along in a group setting, and learn to hear instructions and translate those instructions into actions. We follow the pattern of other Hillstone Academy Preschool programs with simple academic concepts, explorative lessons, group play, music, and art. Mini’s academic concepts include, but are not limited to: name recognition, colors, shapes, counting, and understanding of numbers 1-10.
2-Day – T | TH
Morning Session – 9:00am-11:15am
Startup Scholars
Children ages 3-5.
Dream Big! What will I be?
Students will learn about a new occupation each class. They will learn facts about what the job requires, build structures, engage in dramatic play, create artwork, plant seeds and more! This class will nurture each child’s curiosity about the world around them while incorporating fictional literature and art. Children will develop their observational and critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, expand their vocabulary and develop their communication skills, all while having fun and making new friends!
2-Day – T | TH
Afternoon Session – 12:15pm-2:15pm
