Our Early Childhood program for PreKindergarten students ages 3 to 5 offers a nurturing, engaging environment where young learners develop a lifelong love of exploration, creativity, and discovery.

The CSS curriculum blends elements of Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia philosophies, emphasizing individualized learning through hands-on exploration, rich creative expression, and project-based experiences inspired by children’s interests.

We carefully design our learning spaces to encourage self-directed discovery, balancing structured activities with Montessori materials and open-ended play. Our approach emphasizes the arts, nature experiences, and collaborative projects—fostering both independence and connection.

What Sets Us Apart:

• A process-over-product philosophy
• Mixed-age classrooms to support peer learning and leadership
• Thoughtfully prepared environments as the “third teacher”
• Recognition of the many languages of children, from movement to art to storytelling
• A strong partnership with families through our Parents as Partners approach

Co-Curricular Enrichment:

Students enjoy a variety of enriching classes, including:

• Spanish
• STEM/Computer Programming
• Physical Education
• Library
• Friendship Group (social-emotional learning)

In addition, outdoor education, art, and music are integrated into daily learning, ensuring a well-rounded, joyful foundation for future academic success.

PreKindergarten at The Colorado Springs School is a full-day, child-focused experiential education program emphasizing play-based and problem-based learning with a significant outdoor component.

A typical day includes free play at centers designed to engage a child’s natural curiosity. Centers provide opportunities to explore science, books, art, music, sensory activities, writing, building, problem-solving, and heuristic play. Students also learn Kindergarten-readiness skills via direct instruction, small group instruction, and one-on-one instruction.

In addition to daily core learning, students participate in Spanish, music, and physical education with our Lower School faculty. Drama and visual arts are incorporated into the classroom curriculum.

Our 28-acre campus is an extension of the classroom, including a dedicated PreK playground. Children ages 3 to 4 in PreK 1 explore the creek and pond as part of their experiential education. They discover the world of plants, insects, and water life. The 4 and 5 year olds in PreK 2 also explore science and nature across campus. All PreK students participate in Fall Adventure for community-building activities and in Colorado Expedition for a more in-depth study of the state's ecology.