Our Story – Calvary Weekday School
About Us
Calvary Weekday School was created in 1964 and is a ministry of Calvary United Methodist Church. The school is located in the education building behind the main church facility in historic downtown Frederick, Maryland.
Our school provides a safe, nurturing environment where children have the opportunity to learn, play, and grow through developmentally appropriate practices. The teachers hold college degrees and are assisted by highly qualified assistants. Our staff participates in the Maryland State Department of Education Credentialing Program and follows a Maryland State Department of Education approved curriculum. The classroom environment invites children to observe, be active, make choices and learn through new experiences. We encourage children to resolve conflict in a respectful, positive way. We believe the education of young children is a partnership between families, teachers, and students. Our school welcomes the opportunity to work collaboratively with families during this exciting time in your child’s school years.
Calvary Weekday School Mission Statement
Calvary Weekday School is a ministry of Calvary United Methodist Church. We provide a safe, engaging learning environment, which encourages development of the whole child, considering both educational and social/emotional success. We welcome all students and families into our school and remove barriers to ensure that social identifiers are not obstacles to students or families accessing educational and social/emotional opportunities. We provide every student equitable access to educational rigor, resources, supports, activities, and culturally relevant curriculum and instruction. We provide equitable and inclusive learning environments that empower students to understand and appreciate diverse cultures within and around their community that prepare them for life-long learning in a global society. Our staff has experience and expertise in Early Childhood Education and they will continue to grow professionally through ongoing training, professional development, and a growth mindset for continuous improvement. Continual assessment, opportunities for input and feedback, and communication between staff and families allow us to evaluate and improve our program.
Our Philosophy
Calvary Weekday School supports the philosophy that children learn best through active involvement in a rich and stimulating environment. Our curriculum includes activities and learning opportunities that are developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant and inclusive to the needs of all students, regardless of ability or other identifier.
The staff at Calvary Weekday School is dedicated to meeting the cognitive, social, and emotional needs of each child. By providing a school setting rich in language, exposure to a variety of materials and areas of study, along with positive social interactions, children will see themselves and their own cultures in our curriculum and instruction. Our students will develop an appreciation and respect for our diverse, global, society.
The classroom environment invites children to observe, be active, make choices, and learn through new experiences. Teachers see students as individuals, each with unique interests, experiences and abilities. Small classes enable our teachers to focus on each child’s individual needs. Our goal is for children to have fun while learning in a creative, nurturing and safe environment. We help children to develop a strong self-esteem and social competency, by problem solving and resolving conflicts in a respectful, positive way.
We believe the education of young children is a partnership between the families, the teachers, and the student. We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with families of all means and abilities during this exciting time in your child’s school years.
Curriculum
Our Kindergarten curriculum follows MSDE requirements including instruction in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and the Arts. The Preschool Program follows the MSDE approved Houghton Mifflin curriculum, which includes activities and learning centers that are developmentally and age appropriate. In addition, our kindergarten and preschool classes receive instruction in Music, Spanish, Art, and Media. All classes participate in physical activity on the playground or in our indoor activities room.
Staff and Classroom Ratios
Each classroom consists of a teacher and an assistant. The kindergarten teacher/assistant ratio is 1:9 with 18 children per class. Preschool classes have a teacher/assistant ratio of 1:8 with 16 children per class. Teachers hold an Early Childhood Education College Degree or completed the 90 Hour Early Childhood Certification Course. All staff participate in the Maryland Department of Education Division of Child Care Credentialing Program or other professional continued training classes to enhance their on-going personal and professional development throughout the year. All staff are required to complete a stat and federal background check and are CPR and First Aid Certified. The Director and some staff members have also completed Emergency Preparedness Training and Medical Administration.
Programs and Admission
Non-Discrimination Policy – Calvary Weekday School does not discriminate when registering children based on race, religion, sex, national origin or color, sexual orientation or gender, identity or expression.
Programs for the 2024-2025 School Year
Half-Day Kindergarten Program- Monday-Friday, 8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Child must be 5 years old by September 1st of the current school year. Early acceptance into the program is at the discretion of the Director and the Kindergarten Teacher. Families wishing to delay kindergarten must provide a copy of the Maturity Waiver found on FCPS website, completed prior to the start of the school year, when the child is of legal age to attend kindergarten.
Calvary Weekday School
131 West Second Street, Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: 301.662.6783
Email: calvaryweekdayschool@calvaryweekdayschool.com