About Galileo Preschool

Our Goal:

To nurture the whole child in developing foundational skills through play-based learning experiences and integrated critical thinking.

Core Educational Beliefs:

• Ability is not fixed; it can increase or decrease based on effort.

• Success is due to hard work.

• All children can increase their ability in all subject areas.

• Engagement is crucial for real learning to occur.

• Children actively construct an understanding of the subject matter at hand. These initial understandings shape how students learn, and they must shape how the curriculum is taught.

• Teach in the ZONE—the place where skills and challenge intersect.

Learn More:

• VPK Fact Sheet

• Galileo VPK Handbook 2022-2023

• Galileo VPK Attendance policy 2022-2023

Galileo Preschool is designed to mimic the “Galileo Way” found in our K-8th grade model.

The students will be engaged in developmentally appropriate activities that help them learn and grow both academically and socially. We support the whole child by integrating both Conscious Discipline social-emotional learning and Creative Classroom curriculum together. This approach helps Galileo involve the students in rich, authentic, and project-based activities while teaching them about self-regulation, identifying emotions, and understanding their own capabilities and limits.

Our preschool is rooted in experiences that are geared toward the whole child to create opportunities for high-quality learning. These early learning experiences place students on a strong educational trajectory toward success. We encourage parent involvement and believe active participation helps to create strong relationships that support early student learning.

The Galileo Preschool is based on the principles of Galileo School for Gifted Learning, a successful educational platform which has resulted in the school being designated a Florida Department of Education (FDOE) A-rated, certified K-8 HighPerforming Charter School; FDOE School of Excellence; one of Seminole County’s leading schools; recipient of PLAYGROUND Magazine’s Family Favorite Award and one of only 12 schools from Central Florida chosen to be part of the UCF Professional Development Schools Consortium

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten

The Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Education Program (VPK) is a free educational program for Florida children age 4 years old on or before September 1.

In addition to three hours a day of VPK, Galileo will offer a wraparound program for parents seeking a full school day program. During the wraparound program, students will eat lunch, take a nap, and participate in additional instruction and centers using the Creative Curriculum.

Parents may apply through the Family Portal to obtain a certificate online.

Program Hours

VPK Session 1: 8:45 am – 11:45 am

Wraparound program: 8:45 am – 3:15 pm (2:15 on Wednesdays) ($170/week plus $150 one time supply fee)

All programs will be held Monday – Friday. Parents will have the option to request placement in either the morning or the afternoon class, but the school reserves the right to place children based on space available. Galileo VPK will follow the Seminole County Public Schools approved calendar.

Galileo’s Guiding Principles

• Love Principle: Nurture

We focus on the individual child, nurturing his/her social and emotional needs.

• Goldilocks Principle: Challenge

We meet students in their ZONE with work that is not too easy, nor too frustrating for them.

• Empathy Principle: Service

We encourage students to use their gifts and talents to solve problems to help make the world a better place.

• Power Principle: Motivation

We give students voices and choices in their learning. Students get to participate in classroom AND school-wide decision making on issues that affect them.

• No Child Left Bored Principle: Passionate Interests

We provide frequent opportunities for authentic, interdisciplinary learning based on students’ interests.