Student Life
At Princeton Preparatory Schools, there are plenty of opportunities for student involvement. Below are some of the activities that make student life at Princeton alive and contextual.
Music Program
We are pleased to offer two rich and engaging music programs at Princeton. Our World Music Program is a celebration of great music from around the world comprised of original songs and folk music. Children gather weekly to learn and sing classic folk songs. This is a highlight of the week for many children and adds to our environment the precious element of the sound of singing children.
Our Classical Music Studies in our Elementary Program introduces our children to the masters of classical music from around the globe, musical genres, composers, and the anatomy of an orchestra. Through stories and music, the children are introduced to the masters, one at a time. They learn about different styles and periods of music and learn about the details of the lives of the great composers and musicians.
Children begin to recognize composers’ works by listening and remembering details of the composers’ accomplishments and personal lives.
CULTURAL STUDIES
Imagine a world where culture is not a barrier. Our cultural studies aim to foster an inquisitive and positive attitude towards other cultures. Culture plays an essential role in how children make sense of the world. Exposing young children to different cultures makes for a fun and exciting learning environment!
Our Cultural Studies program has opened up access to a vast range of literature, history, traditions, food, music, philosophy and great interest of other cultures. This in turn has helped students to become less myopic in their views and more accepting of differences.
OUTDOOR LEARNING
Children and nature go together, or should. Princeton aims to make the outdoors a bigger part of our students everyday lives. Recent studies document the importance of introducing children to the natural world, beginning in the early years. Their social, emotional, and physical health depends on this exposure to develop. Our school day includes 2 half hour periods of recess, outdoor classrooms and learning.
community service
We desire that our students carry out the Great Commission and learn by our example to place the needs of others above their own needs and wants.
The option of doing community service gives children the opportunity to become contributors in society. We serve others in love (Galatians 5:13) because Jesus was the ultimate servant, laying down His life as a ransom so that we could experience freedom from sin and eternal life
(Mark 10:43b-45).
SPIRITUAL LIFE
Princeton Preparatory Schools offers your child a caring environment where Christ’s attitude is reflected everywhere. We care about each other, pray for each other, and support each other in prayer and biblical understanding.
Princeton has weekly chapel services for all children toddlers to elementary. The Elementary chapel services begin with praise and worship and are student led. Pre-kindergarten students are instructed in praise, worship, and prayer during chapel. Chapel time aims to motivate and challenge students to continue serving God with all their hearts.
gardening
Each school semester, the students participate in gardening. We plant vegetables during the fall, and fruits and flowers during the Spring season.
Gardening gives children a chance to learn an important life skill, one that is overlooked in standard school curriculum. The children learn new skills, have fun, play and develop self-confidence by spending time in the garden tending plants and growing their own food. They enjoy being outdoors and love digging in the soil, getting dirty, creating things and watching plants grow.
Gardening is also a great way to teach environmental awareness by exploring the workings of nature.
PRACTICAL LIFE
As Montessorians we believe education is more than just academics. We aim to nurture not only the intellect, but the development of the whole child in an effort to prepare them for all aspects of life. Practical life in Montessori begins early and is intentionally woven into both toddler and primary classrooms, and beyond. The activities themselves are intended to give children practice so that they may work toward being independent in everyday living. One wonderful aspect of practical life is how this important work can continue at home.