Primary: Kindergarten to Grade 2

Author Robert Fulgham titled his debut book, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten." Although this may be an over-statement, Kindergarten is an important part of the school experience. Heritage Christian Academy's Kindergarten is a place where children form attitudes about learning and our students discover how their growing relationship with God fits into school life. At HCA a blended phonics curriculum develops reading readiness and a high percentage of our students learn to read during this important first year of school. We believe Kindergarten is the best time for students to start at Heritage.

A beginning student must attain the age of five (5) on or before the last day of December of the school year in which the student applies for admission to Kindergarten.  Heritage Kindergarten students attend two full days per week, either on Monday/Wednesdays or Tuesday/Thursdays, with occasional Fridays, for a total of 475 hours per year. With a maximum of 17 students per class, children receive extra individual attention in an environment where they can develop roots that grow, wings to fly and permission to get a little paint on their clothes…(it will wash out!).

Play is an important element of our primary program. In Kindergarten, Grade 1 and Grade 2, our students work and learn in an environment that encourages creativity and experiential learning. This is why our primary students take an average of five field trips per year!

In Grades 1 and 2 we focus on providing students with strong foundational skills. HCA teachers use the Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning (by Mrs Anna Ingham, Order of Canada recipient). This program combines the best of the phonic and sight approaches, teaching children to read quickly and write effectively. During these years, emphasis is also placed on Spelling and Mathematics. Because a strong foundation in Language and Math are so important, we do not always move students into Grade 3 until essential skills are mastered.

A solid academic education would not be complete without instruction in Music, Art, Physical Education, French, Computers and Library Skills. Spiritual growth is as important to us as academic and physical progress at Heritage.  Primary students are led in prayer, in listening to God as they read the Bible, and in worshipping God.