About Timothy
Go Beyond.
Kindergarten
Two Programs. One Mission. Whole child growth.
Kindergarten is full of discovery, adventure, and endless “Why?” moments. At Timothy Christian Schools, we believe every kindergartener is an eager explorer—filled with curiosity, creativity, and incredible potential to grow. Our Christ-centered kindergarten program is designed to nurture that spark of curiosity, helping your child grow both academically and spiritually. With two thoughtfully designed programs, we offer the flexibility to meet your child's unique needs while building a strong foundation in learning and faith.
A Joy-Filled, Play-Based Curriculum
Learning in kindergarten should feel like an adventure. At Timothy, our hands-on curriculum fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration through:
- Literacy foundations: phonics, reading, and writing
- Early numeracy and problem-solving
- Inquiry-based science and social studies
- Play-based centers for art, dramatic play, blocks, math, and more
Weekly enrichment includes art, music, PE, and library—plus field trips that connect learning to the world around them.
Christ at the Center of Every Day
From morning prayer to Bible lessons to chapel, faith is woven into every part of the kindergarten experience. Students are introduced to God’s love through:
- Daily devotions and Bible stories
- Weekly chapel services
- Christ-centered values modeled by caring teachers
- Opportunities to pray, serve, and love others
Here, spiritual formation begins early—and lasts a lifetime.
Kindergarten by the Numbers
We measure what matters—and the results speak for themselves.
- 68% of students met or exceeded national reading benchmarks in the fall
- 85% met or exceeded by spring
- Students who started below benchmark grew faster than the national average
Our kindergarteners are thriving!
What Sets Our Kindergarten Apart?
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Illinois-certified teachers, including staff with Master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education
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Small-group and individually-customized instruction tailored to your child
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Curriculum-integrated field trips
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Classroom learning centers for hands-on discovery
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Paired with 4th grade "buddies" for chapel
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Hot lunch available for full-day students
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Parent volunteer opportunities
Support That Grows With Your Child
Your child’s growth is supported by a full team of educators and specialists. Available services include:
- Academic Support & Enrichment
- Speech Services
- Morning & Afternoon Bus Service
- Before & After School Care
Ready to Take the First Step?
We’d love to answer your questions as you search for the right kindergarten for your little learner.
Biblically-Rooted
School truly becomes an extension of home as parents and teachers pray for students, share a Biblical worldview, and remain in lock-step, as they seek to train and equip students for life.
Full day kindergarten
8:15am – 3:00pm
Perfect for children ready to dive into a full day of learning, faith, and play. Students explore phonics, math, science, and social studies, while enjoying creative classes like art, music, PE, and library. A 15-minute rest helps them recharge for a day filled with joyful discovery.
Progressive Kindergarten
8:00am – 12:00pm (gradually increasing to full days)
Ideal for children who benefit from a gentler start. Our progressive model introduces full-day structure gradually, allowing students to grow in confidence, routine, and independence while receiving the same core instruction, specials, and spiritual formation.
October: students attend school for one full day each week (Tuesday) along with four half days.
December: students attend school for two full days each week (Tuesday and Thursday) along with three half days.
February: students attend school for three full days each week (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday) along with two half days.
April: students attend four full days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Friday remains a half day.
Kindergarten Program Features
- Illinois certified teachers with a Master’s in Early Childhood Education
- Individual, small group, and whole group instruction
- Play-based learning activities
- Classroom learning centers: art, blocks, dramatic play, literacy, math, science, and writing
- Curriculum-related field trips
- Hot lunch available for full day students
- Parent volunteer opportunities
- Art, library, music, and physical education are taught weekly
Available Services
- Academic Support
- Enrichment Program
- Speech
- Bus Service (in the morning and afternoon, there is no mid-day service)
- After school care
Meet Our Teachers
Meet Mrs. Schommer, Mrs. Ward, and Mrs. VanderNaald in our Kindergarten Video. Olivia DeVin '17 returns to see how kindergarten has changed since she was a kindergartener at Timothy.
Mrs. Sandy Schommer: “The best part of being a kindergarten teacher is that I feel like when I’m in my classroom with my students, the world can stop and we can all sit and focus and marvel on the little things. When they’re reading a book, they notice the little details in the illustration. And I feel like I’ve learned how to appreciate the little things that really are the big things.”
Mrs. Leigh Ward: “For me the best part about being a kindergarten teacher is watching relationships develop among the children. Seeing that community form is a gift and it reminds me that God made us for relationships, because that is what they are drawn to do. I love watching the care and concern as they start to exhibit it for each other. And the real love they have for each other — it’s just a privilege.”
Mrs. Becky VanderNaald: “The best part of teaching for me is just watching that curiosity bloom and blossom throughout the year and watching the children develop and grow. I love it when everything starts to click for them and they just start taking off with everything they’re doing.”
