Kindergarten Readiness
Our preschool program is designed to prepare students for kindergarten. The curriculum is designed to combine whole language and phonics approaches to learning. Students experience learning through a variety of hands-on learning centers focusing on using letters, writing skills, scientific exploration, and mathematical concepts. Our students gain the knowledge and skills needed to enter kindergarten with confidence, and a love for learning!
Structured Preparation
Students engage in learning, through a variety of modalities, just like the kindergarten classroom. This includes both small and large group activities. From morning circle time, to academic station rotations, to large group instruction. This academic structure is focused on helping students learn classroom etiquette, how to work with classmates, self responsibility and focusing on tasks.
Small Group Structure
Our program is designed for small group learning, and one on one pull outs. This type of academic attention helps strengthen areas that might be challenging to our students.
Experiential Curriclum
We did not buy our curriculum from a textbook company. Our curriculum was designed by our own educators, to be focused on experiential learning. That is, academic activities that engage students in learning rather than traditional “drill and kill” methodology where students write the number “6” rapidly. Now, being able to write the number 6 is a skill, but our curriculum focus on them understanding what each number means.
Instruction by Certified Educators
The curriculum, and program, is designed and facilitated by actual MSDE certified veteran educators from the Baltimore County Public School System.
Meet Ms. Hoffman
Perry Hall’s Preschool Educator
Hoffman is a five year veteran of the Baltimore County Public School System, having taught at Pot Spring Elementary. She received her degree from Stevenson University in Early Childhood Development.
She is one of the founding educators of Active Minds, having previously run our summer camp and aftercare program in Lutherville. In 2023, Ms. Hoffman won the Parent Award, which acknowledges team members who have gone above and beyond for their students. This is a special award as it is voted on by parents and highlights why Ms. Hoffman is magical in the classroom.
Meet Ms. Morgan
Lutherville’s Preschool Educator
Ms. Morgan was a veteran educator from Florida having taught elementary at a private school, Jacksonville Classical Academy. She did her undergraduate studies at the University of Saint Joseph’s. This is Ms. Morgan’s first year with Active Minds, but has proven to be one of our most gifted educators we have ever had.
Meet Mr. Mike
Mr. Mike is a veteran educator from the Baltimore County Public School System. Duel certified in Special Education and Science, he spent 10 years in the classroom, before joining the PAR program helping first year teachers develop their skills in the classroom.
Mr. Mike is the founder of Active Minds Learning and a perennial camper favorite!
Winter Swim Session
During the winter our preschoolers have a special eight week swim program, in partnership with Coppermine, as part of a physical education unit. Students get a 45 minute group swim lesson, and a 45 minute free play session.
Experiential Field Trips
Educational research indicates the best way kids learn is through experience. True to our mission, Active Minds Preschool Program creates experiences both inside and outside the classroom to engage students in learning.
Things to Know
Class Size
With experiential learning instruction being a little different, we are limited in our full scaled size of the program. Our program will max out at 13 kids next year, about half of the size of a normal preschool. The nice thing about this is that it gives us the opportunity to give kids extra support throughout the year to ensure they are kindergarten ready!
Daily Time
Each day starts at 9:00am, and ends at 3:00pm, with academics beginning at 9:00am. Extended care is available.
Calendar
Our program follows the BCPS School Year Calendar and inclement weather closings.
Program Options
Full Time
5 Days - $249
Part Time
3 Days - $175
Part Time
2 Days - $125
BCPS Part Time
5 Days - $160
The BCPS Part time option provides preschool care for students in the half day program at their home school. This includes pick up and/or drop off at the home school.
Active Minds does accept the Child Care Scholarship (CCS)
Preschool Registration
Perry Hall Preschool Registration
Lutherville Preschool Registration
Click above files to register
You will have to start a Brightwheel account to complete paperwork. This is a critical tool to our program.
Brightwheel will send the completed forms directly to Mr. Mike.
Give us 48 Horus to process paperwork.
Once processed you will get an invoice notification for your deposit.
Mr. Mike will contact you for additional health forms that we need from your primary care physician. These are due before care begins.