The foundation of an exceptional Christian education starts here.
As a mom or dad of a four- or five-year-old, you are likely in awe of your little one’s rapid development. They’re soaking up new information every day. As they approach kindergarten-age, you’re excited about the prospect of a more structured classroom environment, but nervous about getting the timing right.
You might even be asking yourself questions, such as, How will they perform academically? Will they thrive socially? And what type of learning environment will best meet their needs, now and in the future?
Grace Community School’s junior kindergarten and kindergarten help little learners thrive through these transformative years by giving them strong academic and spiritual foundations. Our kindergarten programs are designed to offer a loving, nurturing environment where Christ-centered teaching meets creativity and playful learning. Below, you’ll find a brief overview of what we offer, including:
We invite you to come tour our lower campus in Tyler, Texas, and experience our community firsthand.
You’ll have the opportunity to step into our junior kindergarten and kindergarten classrooms and engage with teachers and students.
Our Kindergarten Programs
At Grace, we take the pressure off of parents when they’re trying to determine the right kindergarten program for their child — every kindergarten applicant is evaluated using the Gesell assessment to help determine developmental readiness and placement. Described by many children as “fun,” the assessment consists of an interview, drawing, counting, and language activities. This ensures we understand how the child learns best and how we can meet their individual needs.
With half- and full-day junior kindergarten and kindergarten options, parents have the flexibility to choose a program that is going to support and nurture their child, based on where they are developmentally.
Junior Kindergarten (4 years old on or before September 1)
| Program Details | Half Day | Full Day** |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday & Thursday | 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 8:00 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. |
| Monday, Wednesday, & Friday | 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 8:00 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. |
| Monday – Friday | 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 8:00 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. |
Kindergarten (5-years-old on or before September 1)
| Program Details | Half Day | Full Day** |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 8:00 a.m. – 2:50 p.m. |
Kindergarten at Grace University (5-years-old on or before September 1)
| Program Details | Full Day |
|---|---|
| At school Tuesday & Thursday. At home Monday, Wednesday, & Friday. | 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. |
Grace University provides flexibility for families desiring a non-traditional school schedule. The school combines the excellence of Grace Community School with a university schedule and a Classical curriculum. We partner with parents as co-teachers to help create more flexibility for families by offering two on-campus school days. As a part of Grace Community School, faculty and families share the same admission procedures and requirements and the same high expectations. Classes are taught by certified teachers on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Upper Campus, 3105 University Boulevard.
Reading – Phonemic awareness leads to literacy while special days enhance learning, with a special letter of the week including fun activities such as Ties and Tutus Day for learning the letter T!
Writing – Handwriting doesn’t have to be tedious. Our Handwriting Without Tears curriculum makes letter formation easy and engaging.
Math – Number recognition and number sense are learned through the use of manipulatives, helping develop a more thorough understanding of math concepts.
Bible – Little learners commit many Bible verses to memory and learn about characters from both the Old and New Testaments. Praying and singing are part of their daily lessons.
Music – Weekly music class involves playing instruments, drumming a steady beat, singing songs, and lots of movement!
Art – Students are engaged in center activities where they can use their imagination to explore many aspects of creativity.
Spanish – Introduction to a foreign language early in a child’s development sets them up for greater success with fluency and comprehension.
P.E. – Students enjoy activities focusing on gross motor development.
Centers – From dramatic play to creative art to number and letter exploration, the center room is a favorite spot.
Snack Time – Little ones welcome this break in their daily routine as they enjoy a nutritious snack.
Recess – Students love adventuring on the playground, working on gross motor skills like jumping and running.
Reading – Students develop more complex phonemic awareness, which leads to reading sentences and stories.
Writing – Students love learning to write in cursive like their moms and dads (sometimes even better than their moms and dads!). Writing in cursive helps children know that sounds go together to make words and where words begin and end.
Math – Number sense helps students connect addition and subtraction with real-life examples and experiences. The use of manipulatives helps develop a more thorough understanding of math concepts.
Bible – Little learners commit Bible verses to memory for each letter of the alphabet. They also learn how to apply Scripture to real life situations. Praying and singing are part of their daily lessons. Each child also has their own special kid week to learn how they are uniquely made by God.
Chapel – Students attend weekly school-wide chapel with guest speakers, student-led programs, and honors chapel. During the school year, each student will be recognized for a Godly character quality in honors chapel.
Music – Weekly music class involves playing instruments, drumming a steady beat, singing songs, and lots of movement!
Art – Students create with different mediums, including clay, paint, and 3D elements.
Library – Beloved favorites and new tales delight students as they enjoy being read to and exploring iPad apps, and reinforcements of the thematic units.
Computer/STEM – Students learn to use technology as a tool to enhance their education. They design and create through dedicated STEM activities.
Spanish – Studying a foreign language early in a child’s development sets them up for greater success with fluency and comprehension.
P.E. – Gross motor and social development are encouraged through activities and games.
Centers – Full-day students enjoy learning centers that reinforce and enhance the morning academic skills.
Snack Time – Little ones welcome this break in their daily routine as they enjoy a nutritious snack.
Recess – Students love adventuring on the playground, working on gross motor skills like jumping and running.
Kindergarten Graduation – A highlight at the end of the year, kindergarten graduation is a celebration of all of the ways they have grown throughout the year.
Our after school program provides children with an opportunity for extra play. After a day full of learning, kids just want to play and that is exactly what our extended care gives them. Activities include outdoor play, snack time, crafts, and gymnasium activities.
| Extended Care Hours |
|---|
| 2:50 – 5:30 p.m. (Monday-Thursday) |
| 1:00 – 5:30 p.m. (Friday) |
A learning environment that keeps Christ at its center.
At Grace, “Teaching Jesus” is more than just a single class. It’s a consistent theme integrated throughout our program, from Bible memory verses to prayer, worship opportunities, and lessons on godly character. Teaching Jesus is at the heart of the Grace education because if all we do is make kids smarter, we’re not living out our mission.
We believe strongly in an alignment of values between the home and school. What matters to you, matters to us, which is why we not only support our kindergartners through exceptional academic fundamentals, but also through social and emotional learning.
We created our program with the flexibility to welcome little ones who might be starting school for the first time as well as preschoolers who are already familiar with a classroom setting.
Care and Support.
Teachers give individualized attention for help with content mastery and so they can be seen and known as a supportive resource for their students. Parents are encouraged to participate in school activities and classroom events, such as Donuts with Dads and Cocoa and Cookies with Mom.
An active learning approach.
Students love handling manipulatives, blocks, books, art supplies, and more, while they learn by doing. They develop an age-appropriate understanding of core subjects as they explore reading, writing, math, and Bible.
A stimulating environment.
Attention has been given so that classrooms, the centers room, and the playground are spaces designed for maximum learning and engagement. These are just a few of our kindergartners’ favorite spots on campus to learn and play.
Modeling Jesus.
GCS teachers and staff model Christ-like character and behavior, giving students role models to mirror.
Our kindergarten program is located on our lower campus on Old Jacksonville Road, which features age-appropriate outdoor play areas and a gymnasium where students enjoy both organized and free play. Grace University’s Kindergarten program is located on our upper campus on University Boulevard.
Are you considering Grace for your kindergartner?
“We appreciate that what we teach at home is being reinforced at school by other trusted adults. Whether it’s teaching them how to properly behave, how to treat others, or how to see God in nature. We love that we are all on the same page Teaching Jesus.”
RACHEL & JACOB PUTMAN
A Safe Environment
Learn more about Grace’s exceptional educators.
Students are better learners when they feel safe and supported. In addition to caring, mindful teachers and staff who look out for their students, we have protocols in place to ensure our students’ physical safety — we keep doors locked during school hours, screen all visitors, and have cameras strategically located throughout campus. We have strong relationships with first responders and the police department.
In addition to campus safety, we also take people safety seriously, too — our faculty, staff, and volunteers have the appropriate background checks, and we have routine training and safety drills in case of an emergency.
Meet Our Staff
Carley Barton
Kindergarten
Carley Barton
Kindergarten
B.S., University of Texas, Tyler
Carley began working at Grace in 2015 and has taught kindergarten and fourth grade. Prior to Grace, she taught at Jack Elementary in Tyler. Carley received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Tyler. She and her husband, Josh, have one daughter, Rose, who was born in August of 2016.
Heather Brown
Junior Kindergarten
Heather Brown
Junior Kindergarten
B.A.A.S., Texas A&M University Texarkana
Heather comes to Grace from Wylie Primary School in Henderson, Texas. There she taught Pre-K, Head Start & Kindergarten in her 6 years with the school. She has enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom for the past 9 years. Heather grew up in Henderson and graduated from Texas A&M University at Texarkana. She has been married to her husband Pat since 2007. They have two boys, Layton & Alden, who attend Grace. She is a member at Calvary Baptist Church in Henderson, where she lives. She enjoys sports, the outdoors, traveling & spending time with her family.
Myranda Bynum
Kindergarten
Myranda Bynum
Kindergarten
B.A. Elementary Education, University of Texas at Tyler
Myranda received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2013. She is married to her husband, Matt, and has two daughters, Annakate and Lucy. She taught 3rd grade before staying home with her girls. During her time at home, she was the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Living Acts Church in Tyler, where they are members. She enjoys working out, house plants, and reading.
Mikaela Haverlock
Junior Kindergarten Aide/Centers
Mikaela Haverlock
Junior Kindergarten Aide/Centers
Mikaela joined the Grace Community School staff in 2013 after being a Grace school parent for many years. She is married to Trey, and they have two daughters, Caitie and Sadie. Her oldest graduated from Grace Community in 2013, and Trey and Mikaela served as parent volunteers in several capacities over the years. She enjoys spending time with family and friends outdoors, traveling, and gardening.
Mrs. Kaylee Loftis
Junior Kindergarten & Basketball Coach
Mrs. Kaylee Loftis
Junior Kindergarten & Basketball Coach
B.S., Harding University
Kaylee joined Grace Community School in 2018. Kaylee comes to Grace from Brentwood Christian School in Austin, Texas, where she taught Pre-K4. She also taught kindergarten and coached various sports in middle school and high school at Brentwood over her 18 years with the school. She grew up in East Texas and graduated from Harding University where she met her husband, Devan. They have three children, Brinton, Lucy, and Macy, who attend Grace.
Libby Pittman
Junior Kindergarten
Libby Pittman
Junior Kindergarten
Libby comes to Grace from Pine Cove, where she served on the communications team. She graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Child and Family Studies.
Holly Shultz
Kindergarten
Holly Shultz
Kindergarten
B.S., Abilene Christian University
Holly has taught kindergarten at Grace University since 2014. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from ACU and began teaching first grade in 1991. She has taught first grade and Kindergarten for a total of 22 years. Holly and her husband, Jared, have two sons, Carter and Jacob, who graduated from Grace Community School. Holly enjoys family time together, traveling, reading, snow skiing, and playing with her golden retriever.
Experience Grace for Yourself
We know how important it is at this early stage to have alignment between the home and school, so children are learning consistent lessons. Schedule an in-person or virtual tour and see firsthand why so many Tyler-area families choose Grace Community School for their kids.
