Our School

Our Classrooms

We value space because of its power to organize… and it’s potential for sparking all kinds of social, affective and cognitive learning.” – Loris Malaguzzi

In a Reggio Emilia inspired school, the environment is considered the ‘third teacher’. With that in mind, our teachers carefully plan and constantly refine the classroom environment to enhance learning. Our classrooms are alive and aesthetically pleasing -filled with natural materials, soft lighting, children’s work, music, family photos, plants, books and in some classrooms – a pet! The unique needs of each room’s inhabitants – children, families and teachers – are reflected, and respected, in the space. Our environment enables relationships to develop and inspires creativity and learning. We have structured our classroom progressions in a looping model to create an atmosphere of consistency, community and continual growth over time. Given your child’s age and when they enter preschool, your child will progress with the same group of students and teachers. Our goal is provide all children, families and teachers with a developmentally appropriate and cohesive experience.

Our Studios

Our art and music studios are places of inspiration, imagination and joy. Children come in small groups to the studios to explore topics of classroom study through various medium. Our art and music specialists meet regularly with the classroom teachers to share and discuss ideas to support children’s interests. It is truly a wonder to see an idea expressed in 100 languages.

Our Community

“…a treasure is this whole school, because I like it. I like my friends.” ~ Marika, 5 years

The PSA community is comprised of people of diverse abilities, backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We value the differences among all people and welcome varied contributions to our school. We partner together to support the various needs and learning styles of our children. Our community consists of:

• Children. Our strong children are at the core of all that we do. We value our children’s continuing adventures and the opportunity they provide for community reflection.
• Faculty and Staff. Our nurturing faculty and staff come with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in working with young children. We value professional development and the implementation of the best current practices in early childhood education.
• Families. Our families are partners in the life of the school. We value open, continuous communication and collaboration. There are various opportunities for involvement and engagement, including serving as Room Parents or on the Board of Directors.
• Community, At Large. We are part of the larger community of the City of Madison, the preschools of Reggio Emilia, and people everywhere who are interested in high-quality educational experiences for young children. We value our role as a place for exploration of early childhood learning and teaching approaches, and strive to share what we learn with others who have common interests in the wellness of all children.