We did it! We’re proud to report that Golden Pond’s rising kindergarten students (4 year olds and junior kindergarten classes) have again exceeded the top end of the Virginia development range for the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS).
PALS provides a comprehensive assessment of a young child’s knowledge of important literacy fundamentals. This test is an approved screening tool for the state of Virginia, and is an indicator of early reading success. 99% of all school divisions in the state use this tool on a voluntary basis. Educators are then able to use the information from PALS to plan appropriate instruction for each student and to intervene early to prevent reading problems. All kindergarteners are administered this test as they begin their first year in Loudoun County Public Schools.
Golden Pond students have shown outstanding – and improved – scores every year!
“At Golden Pond, we understand that early reading success forecasts later academic success for our children, and we’re proud that our students’ marvelous PALS scores show that,” said owner Kathie Burrell.”
In 2007, Golden Pond School began screening preschoolers who are going on to kindergarten with the PALS – PreK test in the spring.
“We started this process because we felt it would benefit our students to take the test in preschool, administered by someone that they know and trust rather than being exposed to the test for the first time as they begin a new school year at a potentially new school with a new teacher,” said Burrell.
This is just one of the many ways Golden Pond School equips its students with an educational advantage.
“We also knew that this was a way for us to see how well our school had prepared our students to take the next step in their educational journey,” she said.
As can be seen from these results, the median score achieved by Golden Pond School students exceeded the top end of the Virginia development range. In several of the test components, 99% of Golden Pond students scored at or above the top end of the Virginia development range.
Golden Pond School is currently enrolling for the 2016-17 school year!
GPS now provides year-round quality enrichment from 7:30am-6pm in its Stay and Play program. Learn more at goldenpondschool.com.
Parents are encouraged to see for themselves why GPS was recently voted the #1 Private Preschool by the readers of Posh Seven magazine. To schedule a private tour and learn more about the school’s fully accredited programs, email admissions@goldenpondschool.com or call 703-723-7663.
ABOUT GOLDEN POND SCHOOL: Serving children ages 2.5 to 7, Golden Pond School enrolls more than 300 students each year in its second-to-none preschool, kindergarten, kindergarten enrichment and extended school programs. The private school’s intimate campus includes 12 classrooms and three age-appropriate, well-equipped playgrounds. Every classroom has at least two teachers and is designed to be a rich, interactive learning environment. Learn more at https://goldenpondschool.com