Kindergarten instruction is designed to meet each student at their individual stage of development. Large group and small group experiences allow for both heterogeneous and homogeneous instruction.
Reading and Language Arts
Our Language Arts program builds strong foundational literacy skills through engaging, developmentally appropriate lessons. Students cultivate phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, phonics, and comprehension while exploring both literary and informational texts.
Math
A daily math meeting reinforces key concepts like counting, calendar skills, patterns, graphs, place value, and basic operations. Large and small group instruction covers number sense, computation, sorting, shapes, measurement, and problem-solving.
Science
Science instruction centers on Physical, Life, and Earth Sciences. Students explore concepts through hands-on investigations, observation, questioning, discussion, and data analysis. Engaging activities such as examining a pumpkin or observing a butterfly’s life cycle bring learning to life.
Social Studies
Instruction introduces responsible citizenship, community and world history, national symbols, map skills, and key historical figures known for courage, honesty, and responsibility. Celebrations and holidays highlight important people and events.
Religion
Instruction is centered on the key elements of the Archdiocese of Washington guidelines including knowledge of the faith, liturgy and sacraments, morality, prayer, and education for living in the Christian community. Students form an understanding that Jesus loves them and wants them to love others in return. Students are introduced to scripture, the Holy Family, Lent, Good Friday, Easter/the Resurrection story, Advent/Christmas, saints, and prayers. Participation in school-wide service projects helps students to understand the importance of serving others.
Enrichment classes include Physical Education, Art, Music, Technology, Library, and Spanish
Teacher: Megan Dennis
Megan Dennis holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from The Catholic University of America and an M.S. in Special Education from St. Joseph’s University. She joined the Holy Cross faculty in 2025. Mrs. Dennis previously taught Kindergarten in Fairfax County Public Schools, where she was a finalist for Teacher of the Year in 2012–2013. Her experience also includes teaching at Little Flower School and working with the Yabe International Exchange Program. A volunteer School of Religion teacher at Holy Cross Parish since 2022, Mrs. Dennis is committed to blending faith and learning in her classroom each day.
Teaching Assistant: Adele Mathews
Adele Mathews studied travel and tourism before moving from England to the U.S. in 1999. A proud Holy Cross parent of four, she began volunteering at the school in 2005, serving in various roles including gala co-chair, room parent, and Father-Daughter Dance co-chair. In 2016, Mrs. Mathews joined the staff as a certified kitchen manager and later transitioned to the front office. Since 2019, she has served as the Kindergarten Teaching Assistant. She cherishes being part of a warm, faith-filled community and loves greeting her students’ smiling faces each day.