On September 8, 1959, the Peachtree Road Presbyterian Weekday Kindergarten opened its doors at the grey stone church building on Peachtree Road. Anticipating its upcoming move to new quarters on Roswell Road, the church aimed “…to fulfill more nearly its educational objectives by enabling those children for whom it is responsible to become rightly related to God, to others, and to God’s world,” wrote Christian Education Committee Chairman W.V. Bishop in a letter to the congregation. “We will offer a program of Christian growth and the highest type of kindergarten education….” The inaugural class included 45 students, all four and five-year-olds, and two teachers. Tuition for church members was $17 a month.
As it celebrates its 50th anniversary year, Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool has grown to include more than 460 students, a staff of 92, and a budget of almost two million dollars. The school, however, has never strayed from its important initial purposes.
From the beginning the school has been blessed with strong leadership. Over its history the school has had only five directors, three of whom served a total of 46 years. Founding director Helen Shaw, who held a degree from Emory in education, had nine years of experience teaching kindergarten in the public school system and had served as a teacher in Peachtree’s Sunday School. Mrs. Shaw carried the original vision for the Preschool to the church’s session and remained at the school’s helm for 18 years. During her tenure the school doubled in size and expanded the student population to include three-year-olds; the staff grew from two to eleven. Mrs. Shaw focused on preparing children for elementary school, providing them with appropriate social and life skills as well as academic preparation. She directed, and teachers participated in, a demonstration school sponsored by the Georgia Preschool Association. Mrs. Shaw also emphasized opportunities for communication with parents and education and service projects for students.
When Mrs. Shaw retired in 1977, she was succeeded by the school’s music teacher, Ann Bearse. Mrs. Bearse, who completed her Masters in Early Childhood Education at Georgia State University, expanded the Preschool’s program to include two-day classes for children six months through two years old. By 1983, these classes, combined with growth in the classes for children three – five years old, brought the school’s enrollment to more than 200 students; by the fall of 1987 when Mrs. Bearse retired, the student population stood at 325 and the number of staff had increased proportionately, reaching 48.
Under Mrs. Bearse’s leadership, the school continued to shine as an example of best practices in early childhood education, constantly reviewing and updating curriculum, which also included resource classes in music, movement, Bible, and French. In 1980, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, holding its annual convention in Atlanta, selected Peachtree’s program for tour by convention delegates. Teachers regularly participated in continuing education opportunities, including the Georgia Preschool Conference. A Parents’ Council begun in 1981 improved the facilities by building a play structure, constructing walls to divide large classrooms to provide space for more classes, and sponsoring a family picnic which evolved into “Spring Fling,” the school’s annual spring carnival. A summer enrichment program was added in 1979, and an extended school day enrichment program began in 1986.
Following Mrs. Bearse as Director were Sue Astley and Nancy Curlee, each of whom served two years in the position. During Mrs. Astley’s tenure, the Preschool purchased its first computer and instituted a requirement that all lead teachers have a bachelor’s degree. Mrs. Curlee added full-time teacher assistants to each classroom and worked extensively with Peachtree’s Outreach Preschool, a program for economically disadvantaged four-year-olds without previous preschool experience.
Jane Montgomery, who had served as a resource teacher at the school under Nancy Curlee, was appointed Director by the Preschool Board in 1991. During this year the school’s Board created a “transition class” to begin in 1992. The “transition class” has evolved into the current Five/Six program which is designed to serve children who are eligible for kindergarten but who are best served by another year of preschool. A Board evaluation of the best use of the school’s resources led to a phase-out of Infant classes in 1992. In 2002, the Toddler program was ended as area private schools closed their pre-kindergarten classes, creating an increased demand for classes for four-year-olds.
True to its founding vision, the Preschool continued as a model of best practices in early childhood education. One of the first preschools in the state to seek accreditation, the Preschool received this designation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in May 1992. The program is currently accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). 1992 also saw the renaming of the program as Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool, as well as the renaming and reorganization of the summer camp program (Ready, Set, Summer became Camp Peaches) and the after-school enrichment program (now called Splendid Day). In 1994, the school was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation. Curriculum has been constantly evaluated and updated with a view toward enhancing children’s learning experiences; in 2008 the school’s curriculum was recognized as inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. This curriculum review and evaluation process is ongoing and is based on current research in early childhood education.
Under Mrs. Montgomery’s direction, the school added a covered playground and purchased new equipment for the outdoor playgrounds, added a kitchen and security system for the school, and expanded educational offerings for parents to include nationally-known speakers. The school now provides an extensive professional development program for staff, including two annual conferences for early childhood educators and a variety of opportunities to attend off-campus conferences and workshops. An Elementary School Fair, bringing both pubic and private elementary schools to campus to inform parents of their offerings, began in 1999. An open house for prospective parents, a folklore festival (to which grandparents are invited)
and an expanded library with check-out privileges were added.
The Preschool has a long tradition of community service. In its earliest days, students participated in food and clothing drives on an annual basis. A tradition of bringing canned goods to the Preschool’s Thanksgiving chapel service has grown to the point that more than 500 bags of food are typically contributed annually to Buckhead Christian Ministries. The Preschool also supports the Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children and the Family Store.
One of the unique features of the Preschool is its partnership with the Adaptive Learning Center (ALC). Beginning in 2002, the Preschool recognized a need to provide appropriate education to children with various developmental disabilities without taking attention from the education of other students. Over the course of the next two years, Mrs. Montgomery developed a partnership with ALC to provide an inclusion program for children with special needs who, with the aid of a trained support teacher, now play and learn alongside their typical peers and siblings in traditional preschool classrooms. During the 2009-2010 school year 20 students are participating in the program, along with 13 support teachers who work in collaboration with the Preschool staff.
Today, a separately incorporated non-profit, charitable organization overseen by a Board of Trustees, the Preschool serves at the pleasure of the Session of the Peachtree Presbyterian Church, sharing space with the children’s programs of the church. In its 50th year, the Preschool continues to maintain its Christ-centered mission of service to families of Peachtree Presbyterian Church and the surrounding community. Admission is open to all children of both Peachtree members and the community, without regard to religion, race, creed, sex, or national origin. The Preschool programs are keyed to the developmental needs of its children, recognizing the uniqueness of each child and striving to meet his or her individual needs. The primary goal of the Preschool remains to create an environment in which each child can grow spiritually, physically, socially, cognitively, and emotionally and, as a result of his or her first learning experience, begin to develop a sense of wonder, an enjoyment of learning and a positive attitude toward school.
During the 50 years of its existence, the Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool family has witnessed changes in family lifestyles, community demographics, and educational theory and practice. Founded at a time when specialists were only beginning to realize the value of education during the preschool years, the school has quietly grown to become one of the largest preschools in the southeast. The constant has been a philosophy that children learn by experience, and that laughing, happy children are learning children, too. As it continues in the tradition of the past 50 years, the future of Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool looks bright.
1959
Peachtree Weekday Kindergarten opens with Helen Shaw as Director
1969
Peachtree Outreach Preschool Program (POP) founded by Nancy Sellers
1977
Ann Bearse becomes Director
1978
Public school
kindergarten begins
Spring family picnic
1979
Summer program,
Summer Enrichment Program
1980
Infant Education Program
1981
Parents’ Council founded
1983
Enrollment surpasses 200
Spring Fling
1984
Summer program renamed Ready Set Summer
1986
Extended Day
Enrichment offered
1987
Sue Astley becomes Director
1988
Computer
purchased
for office
1989
Board approves requirement that teachers have a bachelor’s degree
Nancy Curlee becomes Director
Library opens
1991
Jane Montgomery
becomes Director
1992
NAEYC accreditation achieved
Summer program becomes Camp Peaches
Extended Day Enrichment
becomes Splendid Day
Name changed to Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool
First Folklore Festival;
grandparents invited to attend
1993
Prospective parent open house
1994
State-funded Pre-K
Preschool incorporated
as a non-profit
Covered playground
completed; security
system installed
1999
Construction of new playground
Elementary School Fair
2001
Budget surpasses $1,000,000
Website developed
2002
Partnership with Adaptive Learning Center
2005
Nurse added to Preschool staff; partnership with Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children begun
2006
Partnership with Peachtree’s La Amistad program
2007
Annual Leadership Conference
2008
SACS accreditation awarded; officially recognized as a Reggio-inspired preschool
