All Together Now: Peck’s Unique Kindergarten Start

At Peck, the kindergarten year begins not in separate classrooms, but together as one big class. For the first two weeks of school, kindergartners and their teachers come together to learn, play, and build community as a cohesive grade. It’s only after this initial period that the “K” determines their two separate homeroom classes, each with a lead Homeroom Teacher and an Associate Teacher.

This intentional approach gives our students the best of both worlds: small class sizes, greater opportunities to participate, and the comfort of being truly known by their teachers. And because both homerooms remain side-by-side in the same building, children continue to enjoy the intimacy of a small class as well as the connection of their larger kindergarten community.
It also provides teachers valuable time at the start of the school year to observe how friendships naturally form, how students are performing academically, and what kinds of support each child may need as they settle into new routines.

“Because our students come from a wide range of preschools with different curriculums and expectations, these first two weeks allow us to really see each child’s starting point,” explains Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher Camryn Salamone. “It helps us create balanced, diverse classrooms where every child can thrive.”

By the time homerooms are set, students have already built a sense of belonging that extends beyond their individual classroom. The result is a smooth transition, stronger connections, and the foundation for a joyful year of learning and growth.