Disclaimer: Clonlara School has sponsored this post. All opinions belong to Ann Arbor with Kids.
This year Clonlara School is expanding the options for their Youngers Program (Ages 5-10) with a new Half Day Kindergarten option. This is one of the only Half Day Kindergarten programs in the Ann Arbor area. Ann Arbor Public Schools switched to all full-day Kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year and most of the other public and private schools made the transition about the same time. Since that switchover, I have had several readers ask me if I knew of any half day kindergarten programs. I am thrilled that there is now an Ann Arbor Half Day Kindergarten option.
Clonlara School Philosophy
For nearly 50 years, Clonlara School has offered a unique learning environment to Ann Arbor students from kindergarten through 12th grade. With a small, multi-age class and individualized instruction, each student is able to progress at their own pace.
The Full Circle Learning process at Clonlara begins with each student’s curiosity and is developed through an individualized learning plan that encourages students to develop questions and discover answers to topics that interest them. An important part of the curriculum is the integration of field trips and interaction with community members. This hands-on approach to learning helps to maintain children’s creativity, imagination, and interest in learning.
Clonlara School emphasizes parental involvement with their child’s learning. Parents are expected to participate in regular student, staff, parent meetings. Each family is encouraged to volunteer to support school events and activities.
In addition to their campus program, they also offer a home based program and the opportunity to create a blended program combining classroom time and home-based lessons.
Half Day Kindergarten Program at Clonlara School
The Half Day Kindergarten Program at Clonlara School is part of their Youngers Program for ages 5-10. The Kindergarten program will be taught by Sarah Pelc who has been leading Clonlara’s K-5 classroom for more than 3 years and was previously a public school kindergarten teacher for 8 years. Her individualized learning plans for each student move beyond the academics to include the development of everyday life skills. There is a strong emphasis on play to help build kids creativity, problem-solving, self-regulation, and social skills.
With Half Day Kindergarten, parents can select from morning or afternoon. Base half day kindergarten tuition is $4,500. The flexible scheduling option which costs $5,500 allows the half day student to attend field trips and other activities that span the full day or occur during the other half day session.
My Thoughts on the Clonlara School Half Day Kindergarten
Personally, my daughter attended half day Kindergarten in 2011-2012, the year before Ann Arbor Public Schools switched to a full-day schedule at all of their elementary schools. The half day schedule was a great transition from her three half day a week schedule to a 5 day a week schedule. She attended morning kindergarten so that she had a chance to acclimate to the early morning schedule without having to also adjust to a full day schedule at the same time. It wasn’t unusual for her to take a nap after school so I am really glad that she had the half day option.
With a half day schedule we had more time for exploration in the afternoons after school. Whether it was visiting a museum, a park, or activities at home, my daughter and I took advantage of our extra time.
I love the parental involvement that is encouraged at Clonlara. My daughter started school at a cooperative preschool largely because of the way that they encouraged parental involvement. Now, that she is in fourth grade, I am still very involved in her school. I interact with her teachers on a regular basis, volunteer weekly in the classroom, and am involved in after-school activities. This level of involvement has helped me have a better relationship with her classmates, their parents, teachers, staff, and administrators.
More Information on Clonlara School
Clonlara School is located at 1289 Jewett Ave, Ann Arbor. For more information on half day kindergarten or to schedule a visit, you can call Clonlara School at 734-769-4511.
