Every San Jose parent wonders the same thing: when my child walks into kindergarten, will they be ready? Will they know their letters? Will they be able to sit in a group, follow directions, and hold a pencil? Will they feel confident — or overwhelmed?
The answer depends almost entirely on what happens before kindergarten. And the reality is, not all preschool programs produce the same results. Some focus on academic preparation. Some focus on play. Some do a little of both. And some — if we're being honest — are closer to childcare than education. For families who want their child to enter kindergarten ahead of the curve rather than scrambling to catch up, finding a program with a proven, structured curriculum is the most important decision you'll make.
TL;DR: East Valley Christian Preschool in San Jose's Evergreen area uses the research-backed Abeka curriculum to build genuine kindergarten readiness — phonics, math, writing, and social skills — across programs for ages 2–6. With enrichment in coding, Spanish, and STEM included in tuition, plus extended hours (6:30 AM – 6:00 PM), year-round operation, and a PreK-to-12 campus, it's a complete early education built for working families. All backgrounds are welcome. Subsidy programs accepted.
What Kindergarten-Ready Looks Like
Children who complete the programs at East Valley Christian School Preschool don't just show up to kindergarten — they show up prepared. By the time they transition, our students typically demonstrate:
- Advanced phonics and early reading skills: letter recognition, letter-sound correspondence, and beginning blending
- Strong number sense: counting beyond 20, numeral recognition, patterns, sorting, and basic mathematical concepts
- Fine motor control: proper pencil grip, name writing, cutting skills, and readiness for formal writing instruction
- Ability to follow multi-step directions: a critical classroom skill that many kindergartners struggle with
- Social and emotional readiness: sharing, turn-taking, emotional regulation, group participation, and conflict resolution
- Confidence as learners: willingness to try new things, ask questions, and engage with unfamiliar material
Many of our Transitional Kindergarten graduates go on to become leaders in their kindergarten classrooms, maintaining academic advantages throughout their elementary years. That trajectory starts here.
A Proven Curriculum: Not Just Activities
East Valley Christian Preschool uses the Abeka curriculum, a time-tested and nationally recognized program that systematically develops early literacy, math, science, and creative skills through hands-on, age-appropriate instruction. Unlike programs that rely on loosely structured teacher-created activities, Abeka follows a logical, sequential learning path with built-in spiral review — so concepts are introduced, reinforced, and deepened over time.
Programs are structured by developmental stage so every child is appropriately challenged:
- Toddler Program (Ages 2–3): Introduction to letter sounds, counting, social development, fine and gross motor skills, and guided discovery. Potty training support included.
- Preschool Program (Ages 3–4): Beginning phonics blends, math foundations, science exploration, writing readiness, and expanded social skills
- Transitional Kindergarten (Ages 4–6): Advanced phonics, reading readiness, mathematical thinking, science and social studies, and comprehensive kindergarten preparation
Each stage builds intentionally on the previous one, creating a seamless progression toward kindergarten readiness. EVCS holds dual WASC and ACSI accreditation — the highest level available in California for a private school in the Evergreen area — confirming that the program meets rigorous standards for educational quality.
Enrichment That Builds Real Skills
What separates a strong preschool from a great one is what happens beyond the core curriculum. At EVCP, enrichment programs are woven into the daily schedule and included in tuition — not billed as extras:
- Screen-free coding: Children ages 4–6 use Space Rover sets to learn sequencing, logic, and problem-solving through hands-on building: no screens required
- Spanish language instruction: All preschoolers receive Spanish lessons, building bilingual foundations during the optimal window for language acquisition
- STEM exploration: Hands-on science experiments, building challenges, and discovery activities that develop curiosity and critical thinking
- Arts, music, and creative expression: Structured activities that build fine motor skills, imagination, and confidence
These aren't filler activities. Research shows that early coding builds the same cognitive skills that support reading and math, and early bilingual exposure enhances phonological awareness — a key predictor of English reading success. At EVCP, enrichment is part of the education, not an afterthought.
Extended Hours and Year-Round Schedule
A great curriculum doesn't help much if the schedule doesn't work for your family. EVCP is open from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, year-round. We close only on national holidays and weekends — no winter break closure, no spring break gap, no summer scramble.
That's approximately 355+ days per year of coverage, compared to roughly 180 for most traditional and free TK programs. And every hour of the extended day is structured with intentional learning: from morning circle time through afternoon enrichment and creative play.
For working families, this means no supplemental after-school care, no summer camp search, and no backup-plan stress.
PreK Through 12th Grade: No Starting Over
Most preschool programs end at kindergarten, which means another school search, another application, and another transition. At EVCP, children who start in the toddler program at age 2 can continue on the same campus through 12th grade.
That continuity means smooth transitions, consistent educational philosophy, teachers who know your child's history, and one drop-off location for families with multiple children. It's a long-term educational partnership that eliminates the disruption most families face every few years.
All San Jose Families Welcome
San Jose is one of the most diverse cities in the country, and our school community reflects that. EVCP welcomes families from all cultural and faith backgrounds. You don't need to be Christian to enroll your child or to feel at home here. What we share is a commitment to academic excellence, strong values, and a nurturing environment where every child is known by name.
Our families come from across San Jose — including the Evergreen, Silver Creek, and East San Jose neighborhoods — as well as Milpitas, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale.
Affordable Tuition and Subsidy Programs
Quality kindergarten preparation should be accessible. EVCS Preschool tuition is significantly less than many comparable private programs in San Jose, and we accept multiple financial assistance programs:
- GoKids: Subsidized childcare for qualifying families
- Choices for Children: Subsidized childcare through Santa Clara County guidelines
- CalWORKs: Assistance for eligible families through California's welfare-to-work program
- Sibling discount: 10% off tuition for each additional child enrolled
- Refer-a-Friend: $200 tuition credit when both families enroll
- Flexible payment plans: Annual, monthly, and customized options
Some families qualify for assistance that covers tuition entirely. Visit our Financial Aid & Scholarships page or contact our admissions team for a confidential conversation about your family's options.
What Parents Say
Parent Sandra V. shared her experience: "This is the best decision we could have made for our son's education. He was in Kinder and he is now reading and writing, counting to 100 and learning about God. Teachers are very friendly and invested in teaching your child to become the best of the best."
Parent Ana L. added: "I had researched and toured other preschools in the area at the time, but none of them compared to the warm and welcoming feeling that I was met with when I first toured EVCP. There is nothing like feeling complete peace when we drop-off our daughter every morning and knowing that we are leaving our precious little one in great hands."
Frequently Asked Questions
How does EVCP prepare children for kindergarten?
EVCP uses the Abeka curriculum — a structured, research-backed program — to systematically develop phonics, early reading, math foundations, writing readiness, science, and social-emotional skills. Programs are tailored by age group (Toddler, Preschool, and Transitional Kindergarten), with each stage building on the previous one. Enrichment programs in coding, Spanish, and STEM further develop cognitive skills that support kindergarten readiness. By the time children complete our TK program, they typically exceed standard kindergarten readiness benchmarks.
What curriculum does the preschool use?
We use the Abeka curriculum, a nationally recognized, time-tested early childhood program that follows a logical, sequential approach to building literacy, numeracy, and developmental skills. Abeka incorporates spiral review to reinforce concepts over time and uses engaging, hands-on materials appropriate for each age group.
What are the preschool hours and schedule?
EVCP is open from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, year-round. We close only on national holidays and weekends: there are no closures for winter break, spring break, or summer. The full day is structured with intentional learning activities from morning through afternoon.
Does my child need to be of a particular faith to attend?
No. We welcome families from all faith and cultural backgrounds. While EVCP teaches from a values-based perspective, no family needs to share a particular religious background to enroll or to feel at home. Every child is treated with warmth, respect, and personalized attention regardless of their family's background.
See Kindergarten Readiness in Action
The best way to evaluate any preschool curriculum is to see it in person. We invite San Jose families to tour our campus, observe our classrooms, meet our teaching team, and ask every question on your mind. Schedule your visit today! We enroll year-round, and all families are welcome.
