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St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian School’s Theotokos Preschool Program’s VPK Students Score Above Average
April 2nd, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Stephany Dawson, Public Relations Coordinator, 727-251-1138
(Tarpon Springs, Florida) St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian School’s Theotokos Preschool Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program (VPK) students scored 280 points in this year’s testing, placing them well above the average of 211 for VPK Programs in Pinellas County.
VPK students work on letter recognition, sounds, colors and shapes as well as mastering beginning social and self help skills. “The students are tested once they enter kindergarten,” says Dorothy Williams, Director of VPK for the Theotokos Preschool Program. “The State of Florida evaluators check to see if the students know their A,B,C’s and 1,2,3’s as well as whether they can stand in line with other children and do they know how to ask for help finding things in the classroom.“
School Administrator, Regina Planes, says the higher score can be attributed to the reinforcement of skills throughout the day. “By law we are required only to teach for a few hours in the morning. We have lunch, let the children take a nap and then cover the day’s lesson again in the afternoon with those who choose to stay for the extended day program. They play games and have fun, but there’s always a learning element to the time they spend in the classroom, that way they are ready to succeed when they move on to kindergarten and primary grades.”
The high level of achievement extends to the entire school. Last year, all grade levels at St. Nicholas ranked in the 90ith percentile of all public, private and parochial schools in the Nation based on the Stanford Ten Achievement Test which covers reading, lexile measure, mathematics, language, spelling, listening, science and social science.
The not for profit school teaches voluntary pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and is currently accepting applications for the 2008-2009 school year. The VPK program is offered at no charge. Parents who would like their children to stay for the extended day pay an additional $125 per month. Expenses for all other grades are covered by donations and tuition. St. Nicholas accepts children of all faiths and prides itself on diversity.
St. Nicholas also offers a special education program for students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Classes are available for children who have both severe learning disabilities and learning disabilities. For children with IEP needs, the School is qualified for McKay Grant Scholarships which pays for the qualifying students’ tuition. St. Nicholas is also eligible for tuition payment under the State’s Pride of Florida tuition assistance program.
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