Early Elementary (Junior Kindergarten - 2nd)

A play-based, academically rich learning experience designed to help children grow with confidence, curiosity, and joy.

At DKH, Early Elementary students build foundational academic skills through hands-on learning, collaboration, creativity, movement, and exploration.

As children move into Junior Kindergarten through 2nd Grade, classrooms become more structured and academically focused while still protecting the wonder, imagination, and meaningful experiences of childhood.

Students are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, think critically, work together, and develop confidence in themselves as learners.

Learning should feel engaging, purposeful, and joyful.

Our Early Elementary classrooms are intentionally designed to support the whole child.

Children strengthen foundational reading, writing, and math skills while also developing communication, independence, emotional awareness, creativity, and social confidence.

Teachers use developmentally appropriate, hands-on methods that help students actively participate in learning rather than simply memorize information. Science, social studies, literacy, art, movement, outdoor learning, and collaborative experiences are woven throughout the school day in meaningful and connected ways.

As students grow through the year, they begin thinking more deeply, solving increasingly complex problems, building stronger friendships, and gaining confidence in their own ideas and abilities.

Inside Early Elementary

Junior Kindergarten

A Transitional Kindergarten Program

Junior Kindergarten, sometimes known as Transitional Kindergarten, serves as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten. The program is designed for children who are ready for increased structure and academic exposure while still benefiting from a play-based, developmentally appropriate environment.

Students begin building foundational literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills through hands-on learning, exploration, creativity, and collaboration.

Guided Reading in small groups begins during the spring semester, helping children develop early literacy confidence and a love of reading in a supportive environment.

• Spanish instruction throughout the year
• Guided Reading small groups begin in spring
• AgriSTEAM and outdoor exploration
• Art, music, and creative expression
• KidFit and movement-based learning
• Small-group instruction and social-emotional growth

Junior Kindergarten follows a shortened school day from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., allowing children to gradually build independence and confidence while still benefiting from a developmentally appropriate pace. Families also have the option to extend their child’s day through after-school enrichment programs, including LEAP, Spanish Immersion, and Ready Readers, which take place from 1:00 to 3:15 p.m.

Senior Kindergarten

Building Independence and Confidence

Senior Kindergarten at DKH Academy builds upon the strong academic, social-emotional, and developmental foundations established during the Pre-K 4’s and Junior Kindergarten years.

Through a play-based, hands-on approach to learning, students strengthen literacy, writing, math, communication, and problem-solving skills within a nurturing environment that still honors the wonder and joy of childhood.

Class sizes are intentionally kept small, allowing teachers the flexibility to follow children’s curiosity, expand upon emerging interests, and create meaningful opportunities for collaboration, creativity, and deeper exploration throughout the school day.

Guided Reading small groups continue throughout the year as children deepen reading fluency, comprehension, confidence, and a lifelong love of reading.

Students move throughout a variety of learning centers during the day, engaging in reading, writing, math, STEM exploration, science investigation, dramatic play, creative expression, and collaborative activities designed to support independence, curiosity, and critical thinking.

Play remains an important part of the Senior Kindergarten experience. Children learn through movement, exploration, conversation, imagination, and meaningful hands-on experiences that help concepts come to life in ways that are engaging and developmentally appropriate.

Senior Kindergarten students also participate in field trips and real-world learning experiences throughout the year, including visits to places like the Frank Buck Zoo and local pond ecosystems as part of their ecology and science studies.

The full-day schedule from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. provides children with the structure, consistency, and time needed to build confidence, strengthen academic foundations, and develop greater independence throughout the school year.

• Full-day kindergarten experience
• Play-based, hands-on learning
• Guided Reading small groups
• Spanish instruction throughout the year
• STEM and AgriSTEAM exploration
• Learning centers and collaborative discovery
• Art, music, and creative expression
• KidFit and movement-based learning
• Field trips and ecology studies

First Grade

Growing as Independent Learners

First Grade students continue strengthening literacy, writing, math, communication, and problem-solving skills through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences designed to encourage deeper thinking and growing independence.

Students are challenged to think critically, make connections, recognize patterns, explain their reasoning, and apply concepts across subject areas. Rather than focusing only on memorization, children are encouraged to understand how and why things work.

Learning becomes increasingly focused on reasoning, collaboration, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.

Students engage in reading comprehension, writing workshops, STEM exploration, science investigation, project-based learning, and collaborative discussions that help deepen understanding and build confidence as independent learners.

Field trips, ecology studies, AgriSTEAM experiences, and outdoor learning opportunities continue to connect classroom learning with the world around them.

First Grade follows a full-day schedule from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., providing students with expanded opportunities for academic growth, leadership, collaboration, and exploration throughout the school day.

Second Grade

Continuing to Grow Alongside Our Students

Beginning in Fall 2026, DKH will expand its Early Elementary program to include Second Grade as part of our continued commitment to growing alongside our students and families.

The program will build upon the strong academic, social-emotional, and developmental foundations established during the early years while continuing to emphasize creativity, curiosity, collaboration, critical thinking, and meaningful hands-on learning experiences.
Our goal is to preserve the joy and wonder of childhood while continuing to deepen academic confidence and independence.Students will continue engaging in literacy, writing, mathematical reasoning, STEM exploration, science investigation, project-based learning, outdoor experiences, creative expression, and collaborative discussions designed to support deeper understanding and growing independence.

Learning experiences will continue aligning with TEKS standards while maintaining the play-based, whole-child philosophy that has defined DKH for decades.

• Expanding Early Elementary program
• Strong academic and social-emotional foundations
• Mathematical reasoning and critical thinking
• STEM and hands-on science exploration
• Project-based and inquiry-driven learning
• Outdoor learning and ecology studies
• Art, music, and creative expression
• Small class sizes and individualized support

Guided Reading

Beginning in Junior Kindergarten, students participate in Guided Reading instruction designed to support literacy growth through small-group learning experiences tailored to each child’s developmental level.

Children build reading confidence through conversation, phonics, comprehension, storytelling, writing, and play-based literacy experiences within a nurturing and engaging environment.
Our goal is not simply teaching children how to read. It is helping children see themselves as readers.

Learn More About Guided Reading

Spanish

Beginning in Junior Kindergarten, students participate in weekly Spanish instruction woven naturally into the school day through songs, stories, conversation, and play.

For families seeking additional immersion opportunities, after-school Spanish enrichment is also available.

Language learning at this age feels natural, joyful, and deeply social.

Learn More About spanish

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