2-Day Preschool
Must be 2.9 to enroll
Tuesday/Thursday 9 am-12 pm – with opportunities to extend the day with Lunch Bunch!
 

3-Day Preschool
Must be 3 by 9/1 to enroll
Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9 am-12 pm – with opportunities to extend the day with Lunch Bunch!
 

Tuition

• 2-Day - $4,700 (current school year tuition)
• 3-Day - $6,250 (current school year tuition)

Tuition can be paid in full or split up into 10 monthly payments, July-April. Tuition assistance available for eligible families.

Karen Hill 2-Day/3-Day Preschool Lead Teacher

Our arts-integrated morning preschool program provides children with one of their first experiences with school. There is a strong focus on fostering social-emotional skills, adjusting to school routines, being and making a friend, and hands-on “learning by doing” activities, all introduced through the arts! This play-based program is housed in one of our biggest classrooms, allowing for many different centers for students to play in. Centers/manipulatives/toys are rotated daily, providing students with a variety of activities to master different sets of skills. With 3 full time teachers in the class, there is also ample time for individualization and one-on-one work with the Lead Teacher. Students will visit an Art Specialist, along with classroom teachers, each day. The Art Specialists reinforce skills they are learning in the classroom as well as teach and explore new artistic skills.

Full Day PreK

Must be 4 by 9/1 to enroll
Monday through Friday, 9 am-2 pm – with opportunity to extend the day with arts enrichment classes!

Tuition

$12,500 (current school year tuition)

Tuition can be paid in full or split up into 10 monthly payments, July-April. Tuition assistance available for eligible families.

Heidi Holbrook, PreK Lead Teacher

Using arts-integration, The PreK teachers create a warm, nurturing environment in which students are comfortable to take academic risks as they begin to introduce pre-literacy, writing, and reading skills. As students attend school all 5 days of the week, they adjust to longer days at school, preparing them for Kindergarten. Students are also visited by a licensed Reading Specialist each week in small groups and individually. They begin to write letters, numbers, short words, and even learn sign-language! The PreK teachers expose the students to different artists and pieces of art using Visual Thinking Strategies which teaches students critical thinking skills and encourages students to have a voice. All of the artwork done by the PreK students throughout the year ends with a formal event, a museum-like display at the end of the year Art Show in May. Students have the opportunity to show off their work to their family and friends. The PreK class is the perfect transition class before entering Kindergarten because academics are introduced gradually while leaving room for exploration, play, and fun!

Full Day PreK/Kindergarten Combo
Must be 4.8 by 9/1 to enroll
Monday through Friday, 9 am-3 pm – with opportunity to extend the day with arts enrichment classes!

Tuition

$15,000 (current school year tuition)
Tuition can be paid in full or split up into 10 monthly payments, July-April. Tuition assistance available for eligible families.

Students learn math concepts, reading, writing, spelling, letter sounds, and much more through arts-integrated teaching. Mrs. Brown, a licensed Reading Specialist joins the class once a week to reinforce these concepts and provide students with one on one support, as well as small-group tutoring with the Redeye Readers program. The Kindergarten attends many field trips throughout the year, providing them with unforgettable hands-on experiences that coincide with curriculum in the classroom. In addition to all of the Art Specialists that the other programs visit, there is also a Visual Arts Program during class that exposes students to fine art and artist as they dive into and dissect each work of art before creating their own version. All of the artwork done by the students throughout the year ends with a formal event, a museum-like display at the end of the year Art Show in May. Students have the opportunity to show off their work to their family and friends. Students also work together to put on theatrical productions and other performances throughout the year. Parents also have the option to extend the day until 4 pm with arts-enrichment programming. Students in the Full Day Kindergarten program leave SSC and move to the next chapter of their educational journey with a gift of creativity, friendship, 21st century skills, and a love of learning.

** If you live in Hingham and your child is Kindergarten-aged, Hingham Public Schools will provide transportation for your child to and from SSC if you choose! Please contact Director Rachel White at r.white@sscmusic.org for more information.

Preschool, PreK & Kindergarten – Philosophy and Mission

Why arts-integration?

Arts Integrated learning is much more than just exposure to different forms of art while at school. Arts-Integration is an approach to teaching and learning in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. At SSC, we use various forms of art (drama, music, storytelling, poetry, visual arts, and creative movement) as primary pathways to learning. Through the arts, young children engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area. By doing so, they learn key early childhood concepts, allowing them to creatively problem solve and reach benchmarks by using his/her own individual style in which he/she learns best. We are equipping our students with the tools necessary to be successful in the 21st century and creating a sense of community through rich art-integrated lessons and activities. Differences are respected and celebrated as each child freely expresses his or her own self.

Philosophy and Mission Statement from Rachel White, SSC Preschool, PreK, K Director

The South Shore Conservatory Preschool/PreK/Kindergarten is an arts-integrated early childhood learning center housed in a community school for the arts. Arts Integrated learning is much more than just exposure to different forms of art while at school. Arts-Integration is an approach to teaching and learning in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. At SSC, we use various forms of art (drama, music, storytelling, poetry, visual arts, and creative movement) as primary pathways to learning. Through the arts, young children engage in a creative process which connects an art form and another subject area. By doing so, they learn key early childhood concepts, allowing them to creatively problem solve and reach benchmarks by using his/her own individual style in which he/she learns best. We are equipping our students with the tools necessary to be successful in the 21st century and creating a sense of community through rich art-integrated lessons and activities. Differences are respected and celebrated as each child freely expresses his or her own self. We use the arts to connect children to the material they are learning, making it much more meaningful and purposeful. We strive to provide young students with positive learning experiences early in their lives to foster their love of learning so they continue on as successful students throughout their educational journey.

In addition to the rich arts-integration received daily in the classroom, students have the opportunity to venture outside of their classroom to visit an art specialist each day. These specialists include a percussion/drum specialist, multiple music specialists, yoga specialist, creative movement specialist, visual arts specialist, drama specialist, and literacy/reading specialists. The classroom teachers accompany these students to these art specialist sessions so they too are learning artistic concepts to bring back into the classroom and reinforce. Teachers and specialists maintain a close working relationship to coordinate curriculum topics and interests.

It is our mission at the SSC Preschool/PreK/Kindergarten to raise the next generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers, and effective community members. We teach our students to think out of the box and encourage them to express themselves individually as well as a member of a larger community. Through arts-integration, we are giving our children the tools to understand that there are many ways to learn and there is no one right to learn. The more ways we teach students to learn, the more likely learning is to occur.

In addition, the SSC Preschool/PreK/Kindergarten works towards building sound socialization skills, good self-esteem, and independent thinking. “Freedom within structure” is one way we achieve this goal. Children participate in a free-choice environment structured carefully by the teachers each day to foster these skills. Center are changed/rotated daily and children are encouraged to try new areas. They are accomplished through participation in the art-integrated activities as well as traditional preschool/kindergarten activities like; manipulative structure design, dramatic play, block building, water/sand play, woodworking, language arts physical education and movement activities, life skill play, story time, snack time, show and tell, outdoor play with nature, calendar/weather, and much more.

We have an open-door policy for parents of all students enrolled in our Preschool/PreK/Kindergarten program. At any time during the year, parents are welcome to drop-in, visit, or join us for an activity. Teach us a song! Read us a story! Watch us do yoga! The teachers welcome ideas, suggestions, questions, and comments, as we like to learn also! We strive to be supportive and valuable resource for our parents and children.

Rachel White
Director, SSC Preschool/PreK/Kindergarten

South Shore Conservatory Preschool/PreK/Kindergarten
Extended Day Sample Schedule – 8 Week Sessions (4 Sessions per school year)

Course Descriptions

Lunch Bunch (2-Day Preschool, 3-Day Preschool)
An extension of the preschool classroom that includes learning how to eat lunch independently with peers and enjoy friendly conversation at the table. After lunch, there will be plenty of time for more play and fun activities. Pick one day or pick every day your child attends school!
Drop in rate: $40 per class

For drop-in class, parents must register by 8:00 AM the day of and notify teachers/Rachel via email.

Morning Play - An Early Drop-off Program (All Classes)
Start the day with extra play—our early drop-off program gives students time with friends, teachers, and artsy fun while giving parents a more flexible morning with an earlier start.
Drop in rate: $30 per class

For drop-in class, parents must register by 3:00 PM the day before and notify teachers/Rachel via email.

Kids Yoga AM (3-Day Preschool, PreK, PreK/K Combo)
Youth Yoga certified preschool teacher Ms. Beth will lead students on a journey of mindfulness. Students will learn skills to increase focus, control, and deep breathing while exercising their bodies and having fun with peers. Open to all classes, limited spots.

Keys and Sticks (PreK, PreK/K Combo)
In this Early Childhood Program, students support will be introduced to early piano and keyboard concepts, explore different percussion instruments, and participate in group drum circles. Students learn basic musical skills while also learning to be part of a musical community and having fun!

Cooking with Fun! (PreK, PreK/K Combo)
Students will dive into the world of food, science, art, and literacy. This hand-on program is all about experimenting with yummy treats, learning about the science behind cooking, and having a blast with creative activities. Each class, little chefs will mix, stir, and bake their way through fun recipes while expressing their creativity through food-themed art projects and reading fun seasonal storybooks related to the food!

Outdoor Explorers (PreK, PreK/K Combo)
A fun nature-based program where students explore the outdoors, including neighboring Bare Cove Park, then engage in a nature-based STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) project. Students will learn about animals, plants, seasons, hibernations, making birdhouses and so much more!
No class on Early Release Days (10/1 & 11/5)

Creative Movement (PreK)***
This is not a typical PPKK extended day program. This class is 35-week (school year) long dance program out of the SSC School of Dance that happens to start right at the end of the PreK day, taught by PPKK Movement Specialist, Ms. Adrienne. She helps the students change into their dance attire and they eat a quick snack before the class begins at for the public students at 2:15. This class provides an introduction to dance while helping children develop important skills such as listening, taking turns and following sequenced movements, all in a supportive environment that encourages both individual and social growth. Activities will focus on enhancing gross motor skills and rhythm awareness. Through storytelling, imagination, and creativity, music, books, and movement, we aim to inspire and nurture a love for dance.

Hip Hop Dance (PreK/K Combo)
Learn how to move and groove to a hip hop beat! Students learn techniques from different cultures and have a chance to create their own moves. At the end of each semester, students put on a Hip Hop showcase performance for loved ones.

There are no extended day classes over school breaks/holidays/weather closures. No make-ups.

Please contact Kasey by emailing k.sheehan@sscmusic.org to register your current student for Extended Day Programming.

Apply Online for the 2026/2027 School Year

Limited openings in the 2-Day Morning Preschool Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, with the option to extend each day until 1:00 PM with Lunch Bunch! Students must be 2.9 to enroll. Email Director Rachel White for more information or to enroll!

Accepting applications for the 2026/2027 school year on November 14th at 10 AM. The application button will be linked on this website.

Preschool/PreK/Kindergarten
Enrollment Timeline
2026/2027 School Year

Enrollment Opens: Friday, November 14, 2025 @ 10 AM

• Applications will be available online (link posted on our website that day)
• No applications will be accepted before this date.

Application Processing & Placement

Important Notes:

• To receive priority enrollment in your group, you must apply by the placement date.
• Enrollment is first come first served within each priority group.
• The earlier you apply, the stronger your chance of receiving a slot.
• Acceptance or waitlist notifications will be emailed in January after each placement date.