Academics

Preschool (Ages 18m - 5 years)

Preschool Overview

Palm Valley Preschool serves students from Toddlers, beginning at 18 months through Pre-kindergarten. At Palm Valley Preschool we provide a safe and supportive environment that fosters academic success while supporting the social and emotional development of our students. Through individual instruction, we develop deep and meaningful relationships with our students and families. 

Our dedicated teachers have designed a dynamic curriculum that engages students in meaningful learning experiences. From hands-on projects to thought-provoking discussions, we are committed to nurturing curiosity and fostering a love for learning in each child.

Early Childhood Development

Palm Valley Preschool utilizes a variety of curriculum implementations to support the development of the whole child; developmentally, socially-emotionally, and physically.

The California Preschool Learning Foundations is designed to promote an understanding of young children's development. The Foundations describe competencies—knowledge, and skills that are expected for each age group. While aligning with curricular framework and California state preschool learning foundations, teachers implement a variety of activities and lesson plans to support student development. 

Second Step Learning curriculum is a Social-emotional program that helps students succeed in the classroom and throughout their lives. This multifaceted program provides an extra dimension to education, focusing on improving cooperation, problem resolution, communication, and decision-making. 

To support our students’ physical development, Palm Valley Preschool incorporates the Outdoor classroom into our curriculum development.  Incorporating the outdoor classroom into preschool education provides a dynamic and versatile learning environment that nurtures the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth of young children. 

Preschool Grades

Toddlers (Ratio 6:1)

PVS’s Toddler Exploration Program offers fun-filled days for toddler-aged children. This program offers hands-on experiences like sensory play and process art that allow children the opportunity to experience a wide range of expressive materials including clay, watercolors, tempera paints, light, shadow, and collage. Children will also learn how to build relationships through shared experiences and self-discovery as they interact with peers. Age Range: 18-30 mo.

Preschool-1 (Ratio 7:1)

Our youngest learners are comprised of enthusiastic and inquisitive 2-year-olds. Two classrooms are located in each Preschool E9 and E10 buildings. Our Young Preschool teaching teams have a focus on “edu-care-ing,” understanding the balance of nurturing the emotional needs of two year olds and simultaneously encouraging independent skills. Students are also introduced to our Social-Emotional Curriculum starting in this grade. Age Range: 2 years-3 years olds

Preschool-2 (Ratio 9:1)

Our 3-year-olds learn through play as a critical part of their development, providing a wonderful medium by which children socialize and learn to take healthy risks. We embrace an emergent curriculum in which teachers spend time observing, questioning, and listening to the children, and frame many activities around their combined interests and knowledge. Rather than rote memorization and drill, we offer experiences that will develop flexible mindsets in finding solutions, and encourage children to work through challenges. Age Range: 3 years-4 years olds

Pre-Kindergarten (Ratio 9:1)

Our prekindergarten program builds on the preschool schema and gives children the freedom to construct learning and deepen their understanding through authentic experiences. Project work emerges from student interests and allows children to utilize mathematical thinking, oral language, reading, writing, and science to research and find answers to their questions and theories. Our Pre-K provides academic preparedness for entering our kindergarten through open-ended discovery. Age Range: 4 years- 5 year olds
Palm Valley Private School occupies 34 acres in Rancho Mirage with stunning mountain views. The campus features separate campuses and buildings for each of our four divisions – Preschool (ages 18 months to 5), Elementary (Grades K-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12), along with a full-size gymnasium, several separate recesses and athletic fields, a black box theater and smart lab.