The most powerful window for building the thinking skills that underpin science, technology, engineering, and mathematics opens in the preschool years, and East Valley Christian Preschool (EVCP) is one of the few programs in the region that takes that opportunity seriously from the very beginning.
Located at 2715 S. White Road in San Jose and easily accessible from Milpitas, EVCP offers a full continuum of STEM and coding instruction that begins in our preschool program and extends all the way through high school. Our approach is grounded in hands-on, age-appropriate learning, anchored by experienced faculty, and enriched by programs that go well beyond anything a typical childcare center or standard early education program provides.
Why Early Childhood Is the Right Time to Start STEM
The preschool years are characterized by an extraordinary capacity for absorbing new ways of thinking. Young children are natural experimenters. They test hypotheses constantly, observe cause and effect, and construct their own understanding of how the world works. Intentional early STEM education does not interrupt this natural curiosity; it channels and strengthens it.
Research in early childhood development consistently shows that children who are introduced to structured problem-solving, logical sequencing, and inquiry-based exploration in the preschool years develop stronger mathematical reasoning, better reading comprehension, and greater academic confidence in the elementary grades. The earlier these habits of mind are cultivated in a supportive, structured environment, the more naturally they carry forward.
At EVCP, we build on this developmental window with programs deliberately designed for young learners at each stage of their growth.
Screen-Free Coding for Our Youngest Learners
One of the most distinctive offerings at EVCP is our screen-free coding program for children in our Transitional Kindergarten program, which serves students ages 4 to 5. Using Space Rover sets, children engage in hands-on coding activities that teach sequencing, directional thinking, and problem-solving without putting a screen in front of them.
This matters for several reasons. Very young children learn best through physical manipulation and concrete experience, not passive interaction with a device. Screen-free coding tools give children the cognitive experience of programming, planning a sequence of steps to achieve a goal, testing their plan, observing what happens, and adjusting, all without the developmental drawbacks that come with early screen exposure.
What Children Learn Through Screen-Free Coding
The skills children build in our TK coding program go far beyond pressing buttons. Through guided activities with Space Rover sets, students develop:
- Sequencing and logical ordering of steps to reach a goal
- Spatial reasoning and directional awareness
- The habit of planning before acting and reflecting afterward
- Persistence when a first attempt does not work as expected
- Collaborative communication when working alongside a partner
These are precisely the thinking skills that carry into mathematics, scientific reasoning, reading comprehension, and eventually into more advanced digital programming as children grow. Starting this foundation at four and five years old, in a physical and playful format, gives children a meaningful head start.
STEM Learning Woven Into the Preschool Curriculum
Beyond our dedicated coding program, STEM principles are woven throughout our preschool curriculum from toddler age through Transitional Kindergarten. Our preschool uses the time-tested Abeka curriculum, which introduces scientific exploration and discovery as part of its systematic, sequential approach to early learning.
Our preschool curriculum integrates early STEM through:
- Hands-on science exploration and guided discovery activities
- Early mathematical concepts including number recognition, patterns, sorting, and shapes
- Fine motor development activities that build the precision needed for future lab and engineering work
- Science observation exercises that teach children to look carefully, describe what they see, and ask questions
- Age-appropriate experiments and investigations appropriate for toddlers through pre-kindergarteners
Our experienced staff adapt these materials to meet the individual needs and readiness of each child, ensuring that the learning is both appropriately challenging and genuinely accessible.
How Coding and STEM Grow With Your Child at EVCP
One of the most compelling reasons to choose EVCP is the continuity of its educational programs. A child who begins in our Toddler Program at age two can move through Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school within the same faith-centered, academically rigorous environment. The STEM and coding programs evolve at each level to match growing skills and interests.
Elementary: Coding and Technology in the Classroom
In elementary school, coding and computational thinking are introduced as a formal part of enrichment programming. Students in kindergarten through second grade are each assigned an iPad, while students in grades three through eight receive a Chromebook. These devices support interactive curriculum platforms and the coding instruction built into our after-school enrichment offerings.
Our after-school program runs from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM and includes a structured coding program during enrichment hours. The progression students follow is intentional:
- Elementary students begin with visual, block-based coding that builds logical thinking without requiring prior programming knowledge.
- They advance toward text-based programming languages as their understanding deepens.
- Projects evolve from guided exercises to creative, student-directed digital work.
- Students develop persistence and a growth mindset as they learn to troubleshoot and revise.
- Collaborative projects introduce teamwork alongside technical skills.
Middle School and Beyond: Clubs, Projects, and Real-World Application
For older students, our clubs and leadership program offers a STEM Club and a dedicated Coding Club that extend learning well beyond after-school hours.
The STEM Club engages students through:
- Robotics and engineering challenges
- Coding and computer science projects
- Science experiments and competitions
- Mathematical problem-solving activities
- Real-world STEM applications tied to current industries and challenges
The Coding Club specifically focuses on creative and collaborative digital projects, including game design and development, web and app creation, hardware and robotics integration, and collaborative tech solutions designed to address real community needs.
The Teachers Who Make It Work
Strong STEM programming is only as effective as the educators delivering it. At EVCS, our faculty bring qualifications, longevity, and genuine investment in each child that are genuinely rare in the private school landscape.
Our average staff tenure exceeds 14 years, with many teachers serving our school community for more than 20 years. In our preschool and Transitional Kindergarten classrooms, teachers hold degrees in early childhood education from accredited institutions, maintain current CPR and First Aid certification, and participate in ongoing professional development. They also demonstrate a commitment to Christian values and character development that shapes the entire school culture.
We intentionally pair experienced educators with nurturing assistants in a multi-generational teaching approach that gives children both the depth of seasoned wisdom and the energy of younger staff. The result is a classroom environment that feels warm, stable, and intellectually alive.
With a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 15:1, our teachers have genuine capacity to know each child, differentiate instruction, and adjust pacing for both the child who needs a little extra time and the one who is ready to move ahead.
Making EVCS Accessible for Your Family
Quality early STEM education should not be reserved only for families who can afford premium private tuition. Our preschool tuition is significantly lower than many comparable private programs in the Bay Area, and we work with a range of financial assistance programs to make enrollment achievable for qualifying families.
Available assistance options include:
- Go-Kids program for income-qualifying families
- CalWORKs support for eligible parents or caretakers
- Choices for Children subsidized childcare through the Santa Clara County pilot program
- FACTS Scholarship for families applying through our financial aid portal
- The BASIC Fund Scholarship for first-time enrolling students
- A school-maintained scholarship fund for families with demonstrated need
- A 10% sibling discount for each additional child enrolled after the first
Our admissions team works with each family individually to identify the right combination of programs for their situation. Learn more on our financial aid and scholarships page.
EVCS holds dual accreditation from both WASC and ACSI, the highest level of accreditation available to California schools. This means our programs, faculty, and academic standards have been independently evaluated and verified, giving your family external confidence in the quality of what we deliver every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age does coding instruction begin at EVCS?
Our screen-free coding program begins in our Transitional Kindergarten program, which serves children ages 4 to 5. Using Space Rover sets, TK students engage in hands-on sequencing and problem-solving activities without the use of screens. Coding instruction then continues and deepens through our elementary after-school enrichment program and into our middle school Coding Club.
What is screen-free coding, and why does EVCS use it for young children?
Screen-free coding uses physical tools, such as our Space Rover sets, to teach children the logical thinking and sequencing skills that form the foundation of programming. For young children, physical manipulation of objects is a more developmentally appropriate way to build these skills than screen-based interaction. It also supports longer attention spans, collaborative play, and fine motor development.
Does EVCS offer STEM enrichment beyond the regular school day?
Yes. Our after-school program for K-8 students includes dedicated coding and STEM enrichment during the 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM enrichment block. Students also have access to our STEM Club and Coding Club through our clubs and leadership program.
Is the preschool truly open year-round?
Yes. Our preschool operates year-round, closing only on national holidays. This provides children with continuity of learning and gives parents consistent, reliable care without the gaps that come with a traditional academic calendar.
How do I find out if my child qualifies for subsidized enrollment?
The best first step is to contact our admissions team or schedule a campus tour. We will walk through all available subsidy and assistance programs with you and help identify what your family may qualify for before you commit to enrollment.
Take the Next Step
East Valley Christian School offers something genuinely uncommon: an early education program that introduces STEM and coding in developmentally appropriate, meaningful ways from toddlerhood through high school, all within an accredited, faith-centered community where children are known by name and supported by experienced teachers who choose to stay year after year.
If you are ready to give your child a head start in the skills that define the future, we would love to meet your family. Schedule a tour or contact us today. Spaces fill quickly, and we want to make sure your child has every opportunity to be part of our school community.
East Valley Christian School 2715 S. White Road, San Jose, CA 95148 Phone: (408) 270-2525 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
