Kindergarten at Wilkes-Barre Academy

At Wilkes-Barre Academy the kindergarten reading program is able to start right in the beginning of the year because our students have a strong introduction to phonics in preschool and in prekindergarten. We do have an entrance to kindergarten test to ensure that the curriculum is appropriate for all incoming kindergarten students. We do follow the same book series and subject areas as our older students. Each classroom builds the foundation for the next academic year. Every teacher makes sure the following teacher is fully briefed on all details leading to the success of each class moving forward.

By midterm kindergarten students have mastered 60 sight words and by the final at the end of the school year 120 words are mastered. In addition to sight words students have also been exposed to spelling word sets. The kindergarten students are frequently tested on their sight words, reading skills, math skills, number identification, and spelling. A school wide portal is used for grades, progress reports, report cards, and classroom calendars.

Within the kindergarten classroom the students play a reading game filling numerous reading charts practicing their reading skills. Family and community members volunteer their time to lead small group reading experiences to give our youngest readers a solid foundation upon which to build their love of reading. It is so rewarding to see these young learners bloom into confident readers.

Kindergarten students at Wilkes-Barre Academy enjoy field trips and numerous special areas of study. The kindergarten curriculum includes science, use of the computer lab, visits to the library, sign language instruction, art class, music class, Spanish instruction, and a weekly current event program from Scholastic News entitled Let’s Find Out. Every Wilkes-Barre Academy classroom is equipped with a Smartboard which enhances curriculum presentation.


As previously mentioned, the kindergarten students enjoy all the curriculum benefits that are offered to our older students. One of these areas is the performance of a class musical. All of our students participate in a musical/drama performance which teaches teamwork, leadership, stage presence, public speaking, and a love for the arts. The kindergarten class also performs a program of poems and songs at their graduation. Another major event of the kindergarten year is the celebration of the 100th day of school which celebrates the joy of learning. At Wilkes-Barre Academy learning is just the beginning, we are a family oriented community that holds high the value of each and every academic area while meeting the needs of our students.