For general information about Kindergarten programs at Academy District 20, including the benefits of Kindergarten, the registration process, district boundaries, and the School Choice process, please visit the Kindergarten pages on the Academy District 20 website.
Kindergarten at AIES
Our Kindergarten program is an all-day program. The school day runs from 8:20 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. There is a morning recess and snack break and a similar break in the afternoon. Lunch is eaten at school in conjunction with a lunch recess. A short rest time follows lunch. We do not offer a half-day kindergarten program.
Meals
Academy International offers a breakfast program before school and a school lunch program for all grade levels. Additional information is available through Sodexo, our meal provider.
Class Sizes
The maximum size of our Kindergarten classrooms is 25 students.
Transportation
Academy District 20 offers a variety of transportation options based on the student’s grade level and distance from school.
AIES has Kiss and Drop/Go for all students. These families use a designated line at the front of the school to drop off their students. Volunteers assist in opening car doors and helping students out of the vehicle. Students then walk to their classroom. The Kindergarten classrooms are near the front of the school and require a short walk. The reverse procedure applies for pick-up at the end of the day. Finally, you can park in and walk your student to the Kindergarten area for drop off and pick them up from this area at the end of the day.
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB-PYP)
The mission of the International Baccalaureate (IB) is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. The core aspects of the IB curriculum we develop here at Academy International are learning through inquiry and transdisciplinary concept-based learning. By instilling students with the ten traits of the Learner Profile and empowering them to become agents of their own learning, our students will enter the world as compassionate, lifelong learners.
French Instruction
All Academy International students (K-5) participate in a French Language Specials class. Our French Instruction program is available for students in grades 1-5. Students in the this program learn math, science and social science in French. This is in addition to their French Language Specials class. In early spring, our current Kindergarten families submit their preference for their child’s first grade experience. Families decide if they want students to join the program or choose a traditional (English) classroom. Typically, students who choose French Instruction program remain in the program through 5th grade.
Academics
Our students learn through curriculum that:
is created by our staff and guided by student inquiry.
is based on the Colorado Academic State Standards.
is transdisciplinary and concept based.
encourages our students to inquire, think deeply, make connections, and construct meaning.
We use the following resources to teach the state standards:
Superkids teaches all aspects of reading with a focus on the alphabetic principle through engaging, increasingly complex text.
Write Now, Right Now teaches students explanatory, persuasive and narrative writing, beginning in Kindergarten using idea organization, sentence fluency and point of view techniques.
Everyday Mathematics teaches number sense, problem solving, geometric concepts, organization of data, measurement and computation.
Building Blocks of Science teaches students to collaborate and problem-solve while conducting hands-on investigations with a series of rotating science kits.
Otherwise, science and social studies are also taught through IB Units of Inquiry. Content and concepts are explored through non-fiction literature, projects, experiments, hands-on experiences and a variety of other learning engagements.
Kindergarten Standards
Following the Colorado Academic State Standards, Kindergarten will teach students the following skills:
Proper grammar
Increased attention span: listening skills, following directions and completing tasks
Phonological awareness: rhyming, listening for sounds, identifying several letters and corresponding sounds
Math skills: reviewing shapes and counting
Experience with fine motor activities: pencil hold, glue, scissors and markers
Cooperative behavior: waiting to talk, taking turns, sharing, working together, etc.
Self-help skills: buttoning, zipping, shoe tying, backpack, etc.
Specials Classes
Students have one Specials class each day on a rotating basis, as follows:
Art is taught by Ms. Gibson
French is taught by Mme Noël
Music is taught by Mrs. Cole
P.E. is taught by Mrs. Shaw
Students will also have access to library lessons, taught by Mrs. Troisfontaines every two weeks. They can check out a book from the library that interests them.
Supports for Unique Needs
Academy International is a magnet school for English Language Learners and will be a satellite school for students with language-based disabilities. We offer a Multi-Tiered System of Supports to assist students who also require math, reading and behavior supports. We have a Special Education Teacher and Certified Academic Language Practitioners who provide service to students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Our School Counselor works to establish a caring atmosphere where student’s needs are met through prevention, early identification and interventions, including counseling, classroom visits, consultation and coordination. We welcome students from all backgrounds and work with them to meet their ongoing needs.
In addition to these supports, Kindergarten classrooms have two instructional paraprofessionals who provide instructional, behavioral and other supports to students inside and outside the classroom.
Before and After School Programs
Academy International hosts the Champions Before and After School Program in our outdoor chalet. You can learn more about this program by visiting the Champions website.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities vary from year to year, but there may be opportunities to assist in the following ways:
In the classroom working with groups or individual students
In the workroom prepping materials for teachers
Classroom prep at home
School-wide events
Specials teachers: Art and Library
PTO
Kiss and Drop/Go
Staying Informed
Academy International uses a variety of ways to keep families informed of ongoing activities. A weekly 20Alert via email is sent every Monday and the PTO often sends a 20Alert on Wednesdays. PTO will also put together Wednesday packets that go home with students on Wednesdays with various handouts and information sheets. Our school website, also has lots of information and resources for our families and students.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to call or email us.