Sassafras Primary School believes elementary age children learn best through hands-on play-based experiences, exposure to fine arts, time in nature, and through experiences in our community.
We nurture students’ strengths by providing intentionally small classes that foster academic excellence, individual growth and expression of creativity.
We integrate morals from the Bible, social-emotional learning, Spanish, music, movement and curriculum that reflects the latest research so that students receive a well-rounded, developmentally appropriate education.
With a 1:12 ratio and affordable tuition, Sassafras Primary School provides an excellent option for families in the greater Kent County, MD area who desire a small one-room schoolhouse type feeling. We focus less on grade-level demands and more on sparking children’s natural curiosity through play-based learning -encouraging children to build their academic and social-emotional skills and independence. Does this mean that we completely avoid direct instruction? No. Children still have grade-level workbooks focused on gaining skills. But they also do so much more during a school day than sit and learn.
Now approved by MSDE, Sassafras Primary School will open its doors to students in August 2026 and will serve students grades K5-3rd.
English Language Arts – We use Orton-Gillingham/Science of Reading aligned curriculum such as UFLI, Heggerty and Explode the Code. We understand the importance of teaching reading in the primary years. For writing, we use Handwriting Without Tears.
Mathematics – We use Illustrative Math and Mango Math to teach mathematical concepts through the use of manipulatives and reinforce learning through games.
Science/Social Studies/Health – We use Abeka, a Christian curriculum to introduce the wonders of our country, the world, and nature to students. We integrate hands on activities within each unit.
Fine Arts – We partner with professionals in our community to provide excellence in art, music, and movement. For music, students receive weekly lessons from Ashton Mooday, the owner of Mooday’s Music. For P.E, students receive weekly dance and physical education instruction from Jennifer Tosten, owner of Jennifer’s School of Dance.
Bible – We use the Rio curriculum to make learning morals from the Bible fun and engaging. Pastor Jamie leads our bible discussions.
Spanish – The foundations of this world language are taught through storytelling, art, music, and games utilizing the Abeka curriculum. Ellie is fluent in Spanish and taught at a bi-lingual school in Costa Rica.
Outdoor Time – Students have 45 minutes – 1 hour outside daily as weather permits and extended time outside on Wednesdays when we go to a local park to play on the playground or hike the trails. We believe this is important for a student’s overall well-being. We are within walking distance of the Galena Park/Playground and also travel to other parks in the greater Kent County area.
Field Trips – We regularly learn in our community through field trips to local businesses, parks, museums, and libraries. Families are welcome to chaperone or bring siblings along!
Multi-age Learning – Let’s face it, we don’t spend every day with people within 12 months of our age. When schooling started, it was in homes with siblings of all different ages. Over time, one-room schoolhouses were formed with a teacher leading a classroom with students from 1st to 8th grade in the same space. Over the years, as school districts got larger, children were divided into grades with strict age guidelines.
We are different. We believe that younger children can learn from older children and older children can learn from younger ones. When children are valued for who they are and encouraged to learn at their own pace instead of being scored on stat standards and judged on how well they did on a test, they develop? a deeper appreciation and love for learning. Do we completely avoid testing? No. But we do most of our assessment through formative means – observation, individual activities, groupwork, and projects. We limit testing to allow more time for learning.
Tuition:
$7980 per academic year
Includes AM and PM snack, transportation to/from field trips, instruction, specials, 2 family conferences per year, progress reports, some supplies, holiday program, end of year program.
Payment Plan Options
10 payments $798/month (August – May)
42 payments $190/week (August – June)
Discounts:
Sibling Discount 10% off, applied to child with the lower tuition
Pay in full by August 1st 5% discount
Fees:
Registration Fee
$125 annually ($50 late fee if enrolled after May 1st).
Includes interview, placement testing, shadow day (if recommended), financial aid consideration, enrollment paperwork & expense for Brightwheel application.
Curriculum Fee
$300 per child annually. Due upon enrollment.
Includes consumable workbooks, some consumable supplies, and helps fund non-consumable supplies and curriculum for the classroom.
Volunteer Commitment – We are a small non-profit organization. Families are expected to contribute on a regular basis to our school with their time (such as chaperoning field trips), talent (a specific skill we need help with), or through regular donations of snacks, art, or cleaning supplies. As we like to say – see a need, fill a need.***
For more information contact our school at 443-480-8373 or email director@kinderconnection.org. We’d love to have your family join us!
Kinder Connection 