Welcome to Early Education at Salisbury Academy, where our youngest learners grow through joyful discovery, hands-on exploration, and a nurturing sense of community.
In our 3K, junior kindergarten, and kindergarten classrooms, students learn through purposeful play that builds foundational literacy and numeracy skills, strengthens fine and gross motor development, and fosters social-emotional growth.
Whether they’re engaging in nature-based learning, collaborating with classmates, or expressing themselves through art and storytelling, our early learners are taking their first steps toward becoming creative problem solvers, compassionate friends, and confident communicators.
Learning Environment
Our Early Education spaces are vibrant and thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity. Students learn through hands-on experiences in bright indoor classrooms and outdoor learning areas that encourage exploration and play. Each classroom benefits from a two-teacher model, allowing for more individualized attention, responsive support, and small-group instruction tailored to each child’s needs. Music, art, and library time are part of the weekly rhythm, all within a daily schedule that offers consistency and comfort. With loving teachers and a strong sense of belonging, our youngest learners are valued members of the Salisbury Academy community.
Community
Community and compassion are at the heart of the early learning experience. Students participate in school-wide service efforts and quarterly Giving Parties for local non-profits. They also build relationships with older peers through buddy programs and class visits, such as JK and 3rd grade friendship hikes at the Catawba Ecological Preserve. These early connections nurture empathy, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
3K
Salisbury Academy’s 3K program offers a joyful, nurturing start where children learn through imaginative play, sensory exploration, and caring relationships. Guided by gentle teachers, students explore nature, music, movement, and conversation, all while building early language and learning skills. Structured routines offer comfort and security, and play remains central—laying the foundation for academic and social growth.
Junior Kindergarten
In junior kindergarten, learning flows through varied play—imaginative, spontaneous, or structured—encouraging exploration and self-regulation. Language-rich experiences like fingerplays, phonemic games, and the Handwriting Without Tears program foster literacy and fine motor skills. Math and science are embedded in daily play and routines, introducing patterns, measurement, and observation. Social studies expands from family to community, nurturing compassionate, confident learners in alignment with our Portrait of a Graduate.
K
Kindergarten at Salisbury Academy blends structured learning with hands-on discovery. Students build literacy through guided reading and phonics, while exploring math concepts through daily routines and playful practice. Nature studies and experiments ignite curiosity in science. Art, music, and movement enrich the experience and support diverse learners. Through collaboration and reflection, students grow into confident communicators and engaged problem solvers, ready for the next steps in their educational journey.
Curriculum and Enrichment
Core Knowledge Curriculum for grades JK-8
Salisbury Academy follows the Core Knowledge Sequence in grades JK–8, providing a thoughtfully structured progression of content that builds year over year. This approach fosters strong critical thinking, cultural literacy, and vocabulary development through rich studies in history, science, the arts, and more. Core Knowledge forms the backbone of our curriculum, balanced by creative, student-centered learning aligned with Salisbury Academy’s mission and values.
After School Programming
Each school day, Salisbury Academy’s ASK (After School Kids) program for grades 3K-8 offers a welcoming and active environment where students can unwind, play, and continue exploring their interests until 5:30 p.m.
Enrichment Programming
Learning extends beyond the school day at Salisbury Academy through a dynamic mix of after-school enrichment classes. Throughout the year, students can explore interests in sports, crafting, theatre, foreign language, and more—continuing to grow, create, and discover in engaging, hands-on ways.