St. Maximilian Kolbe “Tiny St. Max”
A classical, Catholic education is an education of the heart. As Aristotle once said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
It is with this focus that we seek to bring our youngest learners into the online academy at Kolbe. Maximilian Kolbe was a forward thinker. He used the changing times as a catalyst to reach more people and share the Gospel. That is our mission, and I am confident that you will see that in the way we have designed our program for our littlest learners.
The purpose of Kolbe Academy Online is not to put young learners in front of a computer to distract or entertain, but rather to use a unique tool of the times to give the gift of a classical, Catholic education to students all over the world. We know educating a young child is an incredibly personal decision, and therefore, we work hard to offer different approaches to home education at every level. That is why this year Kolbe is inviting Kindergarteners to join in the Online Academy.
KINDERGARTEN
Kindergarten is a golden year in the long journey of educating a child. It is a beautiful time to plant seeds of wisdom and guide your child towards attitudes and skills that will help him or her thrive.
The Kolbe Academy Online Kindergarten program does this through a balance of formal and informal subjects.
Formal Subjects Taught Live through Direct Instruction & Small Groups: Religion, Math, Reading & Writing
In Kolbe Academy’s online program, we focus on four core subjects for our Kindergarteners: Religion, Reading, Math, and Writing. The teaching of these subjects allows children to grow through guided reading, repetition, memory work, fine motor development, songs and play. The teacher will offer gentle corrections and encouragement for building skills that will carry them through their entire life.
Kolbe kinder students enjoy these core subjects in live small group sessions (short in length) with their teacher and a small selection of their classmates. This is an opportunity for the students to learn self-discipline, confidence, and virtue alongside peers. The small groups are targeted learning groups to offer the extra support needed for essential skill building.
Informal Subjects Taught through Guided Videos and Active Learning Activities: History, Science, and Art
Kolbe’s online program also includes informal subjects through play and exploration: Science, History, and Art. These subjects are often the inspiration for a greater love of learning. In this spirit, the teacher will guide the students to explore these subjects in their home, with their siblings and parents, and observe the world through a mind seeking Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. For example, a Kolbe kinder student will be encouraged to grow in these subjects through sensory activities, sharing a family recipe, art projects, music, family read-aloud books, nature scavenger hunts, experiments, etc.
Is the Kolbe Academy Online Kindergarten program right for me?
- Do you want to school at home, but want more support in core subject instruction from a teacher who is a reading specialist and can provide extra resources?
- Do you want your child to be challenged to grow in faith and virtue alongside his or her peers?
- Do you want to nurture a spirit of obedience and consistency for your young child?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, the online program may be a great fit! If you go to our assessment page you will see a list of kindergarten readiness skills to help guide your decision. Students do not need to be proficient in all skills listed. The list is a way for you to assess where your child falls on a spectrum of readiness for Kolbe Academy.
Learning to read in Kindergarten is something that sets the foundation for reading to learn as a student grows in age. It is something our teachers LOVE teaching! We can’t wait to watch your child develop and grow as a young student.
If you are interested in hearing more about our K-5 Online program, visit www.Kolbe.org and live chat with an Admission Advisor!
Many prayers,
