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Zion Christian School Byron Center MI
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Zion Christian School Byron Center MI

Early Childhood Education

Zion Christian’s Early Childhood Programs are an extension of the Zion Christian School mission of learning & living for the glory of God.

Our programs provide a warm and loving environment, through which a child becomes familiar with a classroom setting and field trips. The student is encouraged to interact with his or her environment and with other children under the loving direction and instruction of authority figures delegated to this task by his or her parents. Already at this stage, children will experience the importance of the Scriptures for salvation and life.

With this academic and spiritual emphasis in mind, our early childhood programs are intended as more than an opportunity for parents to have “adult time” away from their children. Rather, it functions as an extension of the home, supporting it and the church with “Word-centered” instruction.

Junior kindergarten

Meeting Times

1st Semester: Monday & Wednesday      8:15am-3:15pm

2nd Semester: Monday, Wednesday, Friday  8:15am-3:15pm

Age Requirements

Age 4 by September 1

Start & End Dates

September 8, 2025 – May 22, 2026

Tuition

$3,580*

Payment Options

  • Prepay
  • 10 monthly automated account debits
  • 10 monthly invoices 

*Expected tuition for 2025-2026 school year

Junior Kindergarten

Our junior kindergarten program is designed for 4-year-olds with sufficient maturity and stamina to be in school for a full day, as well as for those children whose age makes them eligible for kindergarten, but need more time before moving to this next level of academic achievement.

Students will develop a love for learning and a positive attitude concerning school, as well as be encouraged to think independently. The program’s learning and kindergarten-readiness goals will challenge its young learners at a higher developmental level than those in preschool, and complement – but not duplicate – either preschool or kindergarten.

Spiritual Development
  • Listen to Bible stories and apply lessons to daily life
  • Memorize Bible verses
  • Develop respect for God and His Word
Social Development
  • Learn to cooperate with others (adults and children)
  • Become familiar with classroom structure and a full-day routine including library and P.E.
  • Follow directions in a respectful way
  • Develop confidence in a group setting
Motor Skills
  • Strengthen hands for fine motor development
  • Hold a pencil properly
  • Develop spatial awareness through play
  • Introduce proper formation of letters and numbers
Science
  • Explore God’s world through hands-on experiences incorporated into daily lessons
Mathematics
  • Count and identify numbers through 29
  • Identify shapes, sizes, and patterns
  • Learn days and months through daily calendar time
Language & Literacy Development
  • Identify letters and sounds of the alphabet
  • Learn various concepts through singing and rhymes
  • Develop cognitive and critical thinking skills through reading aloud and oral language experiences
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cut-off date for kindergarten?

Age 5 by September 1.

Why would I send my child to junior kindergarten if he or she meets the kindergarten age cut-off?

Junior kindergarten acts as a bridge for children who need the gift of time – time that is sometimes essential to become more confident as they move to the next level of academic achievement. To help in your decision, all kindergarten-age children are tested for readiness.

Why do the early childhood programs start later in the year than the rest of the school?

Many of these children are coming to school for the first time. For that reason, we want to allow time for the older students to establish their routines before the younger children arrive, thereby creating a more settled environment when the early childhood students arrive for their first day.

Which program is right for my child?

Parents of younger children must consider a variety of factors when deciding whether to enroll their child in preschool or junior kindergarten. We can provide a chart to help you determine the best program for your child. After submitting your Application for Enrollment, you will receive a welcome letter and survey from the program director to help confirm your program selection.

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Learning & Living for the Glory of God

Help develop young minds to learn and live based on their relationship with Jesus Christ.

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7555 Byron Center Ave.
Byron Center, MI 49315

616-878-9472

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