In an interactive and encouraging setting, children actively develop their emotional, social, physical, and cognitive skills. They begin to recognize words in print and quickly step into the exciting world of books. Each new discovery sparks the next, as they explore activities like coloring, rhyming, and singing. Children spend plenty of time engaged in both structured and unstructured play—on the playground, around the campus, in the gym, and in the classroom. They learn to collaborate in groups and build a strong sense of belonging. Through games, activities, and co-curricular classes such as science, library, music, yoga, Spanish and physical education, they share the excitement of learning. This joyful year of discovery lays a strong foundation and sets the tone for many years ahead.
The Primary School
Our youngest learners show us every day that the joy of discovery and the excitement of learning begin early in life.
“Our child adores her friends and teachers, and is learning new things all the time. We like that the children spend a lot of their day outdoors learning about nature and taking advantage of the beautiful campus.
We distinctly remember picking up our child on their first day and after they shared how they learned about apples, they went on to say, “This is the perfect school.” We couldn’t be happier with our decision to have our child join Pennfield.”
At Pennfield, we create a happy, safe, and inclusive environment where preschoolers and pre-kindergarteners eagerly begin their journey toward becoming lifelong learners. As they grow, they engage with positive and supportive role models—their teachers and older students in both the Lower and Middle Schools. During this important stage, they build foundational skills through games, play, songs, and meaningful interactions. They actively practice kindness, cooperation, and respect for others’ feelings and ideas—values that will shape their experience at Pennfield and stay with them for years to come.
At Pennfield, we believe a great education should be within reach. We offer flexible options to help families plan, including a 10-month payment schedule, need-based financial aid for applicants in kindergarten through grade 8, and special rates for U.S. Active Duty military families. We are here to support you in exploring the possibilities. To learn more or schedule a tour, contact Kristin Emory at 401.849.4646 or email kemory@pennfield.org.
Explore Primary
Pre-kindergarten
Pre-kindergarteners treat every moment—inside and outside the classroom—as a chance to learn. Throughout the day, whether during unstructured play, activity centers, or teacher guided lessons, they practice socialization skills with a strong focus on kindness, respect, honesty, and building self-esteem.
In daily class activities, students build foundational skills in math, handwriting without tears, and vocabulary through engaging games and songs.
It’s common to see a pre-kindergarten student eagerly raise a hand during Morning Assembly, stand in front of the entire school, and share a question or perspective—knowing they’ll be heard with respect. At Pennfield, we foster an environment where every voice matters and every contribution counts, instilling confidence from the very beginning.
By the end of the year, pre-kindergarteners eagerly anticipate the transition into Lower School. They move on excited, confident, and well-prepared to take the next big step into kindergarten.
