Our mission is to educate all learners to reach their full potential as contributing and productive members of our ever-changing global community.
Welcome! Circle of Friends Preschool was established in 1995 and is a part of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools. At Circle of Friends Preschool, we serve all learners in an inclusive, caring environment. Using a child-centered approach, teachers support all learners to feel safe, cared for, and encouraged. We offer both nature-based and more traditional classroom settings, with an E-STEM focus in all settings. View the tabs below to learn more about the programs we offer.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION
View the VISITS AND TOURS tab to see upcoming preschool visitation opportunities.
Below is a list of classes that currently have space available for the 2018-2019 school year. Families can register for classes that are full and will be placed on a waiting list for future openings.
Age 3 (must be three by September 1, 2018)
Age 4 (must be four by September 1, 2018)
Scholarships are no longer available for full-day programming.
Age 4 (must be four by September 1, 2018
Choose full day if:
Choose half day if:
Traditional Program
Children will:
Nature Based Program
Children will:
Choose Nature if:
This ECFE class is for half day preschool students at Edgewood School. Stay after your morning preschool class section or come before your afternoon class for a home lunch, and then extended play and learning from 11:30-1:00.
Mark your calendar for the upcoming preschool visitation opportunities.
January 7, 5:00-6:30 at Edgewood School
You and your preschooler are invited to visit Circle of Friends Preschool classrooms during our Peek into Preschool events. You will have the opportunity to learn about all our program options and spend time with our licensed preschool teachers. No need to register.
For an adult-only visit , join one of these Tour and Talk presentations at Edgewood School. Adults will tour Edgewood School with our Early Learning Coordinator, discuss program options and view preschool classrooms. No need to register.
Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools is an E-STEM District
E-STEM stands for Environmental Education, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. It’s an integrated approach to teaching and learning. It is exploration, discovery, risk-taking, wondering, and experimenting. It is a hands-on approach to learning, encompassing not only the letters above, but also literacy, art, creativity, music and social-emotional learning.
We utilize both indoor and outdoor settings to learn about the world around us in real, meaningful ways. Whether you choose a nature-based or more traditional classroom setting, this educational philosophy is integrated throughout all of our programming.
Students in traditional preschool classes spend the majority of each day in a classroom setting. Similar to Nature Based classes, traditional classes also follow the philosophy of E-STEM teaching and learning and will spend time learning outside each day. We offer half-day and full-day options.
In our traditional preschool classes, children will:
Students in nature-based preschool classes are in an outdoor immersive setting and will be outside every day unless the weather is dangerous. Nature-based classes achieve the same outcomes as a traditional Circle of Friends preschool class, only natural materials are the learning tool with the Great Outdoors for a classroom. Students spend minimal time inside each day and do have a designated indoor classroom should the weather be unsuitable for outdoor learning. We offer half-day and full-day options. Suggested Gear for Nature Preschool
In our nature preschool classes, children will:
Nature classes are a good option for your child if:
The preschool locations are reflective of the current school year: Edgewood School, Grainwood and Jeffers Pond Elementary Schools. While it is likely classes will remain the same for the next school year, there is potential that sections may need to be relocated after registration and preschool student placement due to K-5 enrollment numbers. In the event that this occurs, the new location will offer equitable resources and will remain within ISD 719 school boundaries. If changes occur and the new location is no longer feasible for your family, families will be afforded the opportunity to withdraw registration and receive a refunded registration fee.
HALF-DAY PRESCHOOL RATES
FULL-DAY PRESCHOOL RATES
Note: Before and after school care will be a separate registration process and fee for the 2019-2020 school year. The rates below are only for the preschool portion of the day.
REGISTRATION FEES
REFUND POLICY
Registration fees are not refundable.
Withdrawals before the school year begins: If we are notified of a student withdrawal prior to July 10, the first month's tuition will not be charged. After July 10, refunds will be based on the program's ability to fill the class opening. If we are able to fill the spot before the first day of preschool, a full refund will be issued for the first month's tuition. If the spot is still empty once school begins, the first month's tuition will be forfeited in order to cover program operating costs.
Withdrawals during the school year: a two-week written notice to the office is required. As long as a two-week notice of withdrawal is received, the tuition for the last month in attendance will be prorated for the number of days the child attends preschool.
How do I apply for an Early Learning Scholarship?
To apply for a Pathway I Early Learning Scholarship for your child, please indicate your request for financial assistance when prompted during the online preschool registration process.
Our office will contact you in June regarding further steps that will need to be taken.
Online enrollment opens January 17, 2019
Beginning January 17, PLSAS will offer online enrollment for all new families, including incoming 2019/20 kindergarten students. At that time, families can visit the district's enrollment page to begin the student registration process.
On November 1, more than 125 school and community members came together to review the most important document in PLSAS: our Strategic Plan that defines our mission, core values, vision and strategic directions. It was an interactive evening with students, parents, staff and community working in groups to describe the experiences they would like to have in our schools in the coming years. These descriptions will help guide the district in the next stage of planning.
Thanks to voter approval, construction is underway at WestWood and Edgewood to be completed by the fall of 2019. Click here to view the Edgewood/WestWood design plans.
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