Peck's stand-alone kindergarten building creates a safe haven for the school's youngest learners. Featuring two individual homerooms, a design lab, and a large community space, students enjoy an environment that's developmentally appropriate, while having access to the benefits of the larger campus. 

Five days a week, six eighth graders start their morning assisting in the kindergarten through the Eighth-Grade Kindergarten Helpers program: a leadership opportunity asking eighth graders to arrive early, help kindergartners out of cars and into the K's "big room," and transition into the day. These eighth-grade buddies build genuine connections with their kindergarten peers. As kindergarteners arrive and choose between several centers their eighth-grade buddies are there, ready to play. 

The Eighth-Grade Helpers have made my daughter feel so welcome at Peck. Seeing older kids be so kind to her, remember her name, and smile at her each morning has created such a warm and welcoming feeling for her, and led to a love of coming to school.

Shannon Karches P '31, '33

Upon enrollment each student is assigned to a team: the Downys or the Redheads. Throughout the year, students on each team earn points by performing extraordinary acts of kindness, winning at spirit competitions, and participating in the end-of-year field day. 

Starting in kindergarten, our students regularly leave their home classroom to study, explore, and play with highly trained subject-matter experts. From Spanish, to science and design, to library skills, to the arts and sports, your child expands their thinking, creativity, and confidence during their earliest years, when they're the most receptive to learning. 

Peck's Mystery Reader program, which features two to three "mystery guests" per week, invites a Peck employee or a kindergartner's family member to secretly volunteer to share a story of their choosing. This program is another meaningful way we build community at Peck—through a shared love of reading!

I was thrilled to be a mystery reader for the kindergarten. It is an amazingly meaningful opportunity for me to be there to see him and his friends in action, and be a part of their reading and learning journey.

Pallas Jia P '31

Morning centers combine purpose and meaning with movement and freedom in the kindergarten. Adventurous learning and fun risk-taking are at the core of the materials found throughout the "Big Room." Equipped with play sets, STEM toys, games, and building materials, the tables and spaces become highly engaging zones for students to tinker and play.

Creative play is an outlet for exploration. Kids can try on different behavioral and emotional hats in these environments, and role-play different scenarios. All of these exercises are necessary for childhood, from supporting social-emotional learning and physical development, to problem-solving and building confidence, to creative growth. Ashley Tabor, Head of Lower School