Academics

Early Education

The Early Education program includes students from Pre-K 2 through Pre-K 5. The curriculum is designed to meet each child’s developmental needs by offering a stimulating hands-on approach to learning, which encourages appropriate development of emotional stability, social competency, intellectual ability, and spiritual awareness and maturity. Students have the opportunity to attend and participate in chapel, designed to lead young children to God, to participate in worship, and to learn how to serve Him.
The Pre-K 2 and Pre-K 3 programs are offered five, three (MWF), or two days (TTh) per week. The morning program is from 8:15 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Extended Day is from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Pre-K 4 program is offered five and three days (MWF) per week.

The Pre-K 5 program is offered five days, half or full.

Early Education Team

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Sara Jo Dillard

    Sara Jo Dillard 

  • Photo of Stephanie Breit

    Stephanie Breit 

    Early Education Principal
  • Photo of Stephanie Hopkins

    Stephanie Hopkins 

    Early Education Administrative Assistant
  • Photo of Valerie Brett

    Valerie Brett 

    Early Education Teacher

Eric and Sholanda Blakeney, School Parents

After choosing SCS for our daughter, we could not be happier with our decision. There is pure joy as you walk through the halls of SCS. The teachers and staff greet you with a smile each morning, and even after a long day, they are waiting to greet us with smile for afternoon pickup. My daughter has been fortunate to have two amazing teachers! Both played a huge role in helping our daughter continue to make gains both academically and socially. Her love for Jesus continues to grow. We love the support and blessings we continue to receive while being apart of this amazing school community. Each year continues to get better, and our family truly feels blessed to be a part of the SCS community.

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Sara Jo Dillard

    Sara Jo Dillard 

Meet the Early Education Principal

Sara Jo Dillard

Sara Jo Dillard has over 30 years of experience teaching and leading in the Early Education field. She holds a bachelor's degree from Winthrop University and a master's degree in education from Columbia International University.  She taught in the Early Education Program and served as Early Education Principal at Southside Christian School for 20 years before accepting the call to serve as Early Education Director at the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). During her tenure at ACSI, Sara Jo had the privilege of training and mentoring Christian early education teachers and leaders across the United States and in Indonesia, China, Paraguay and Nigeria. After serving at ACSI for ten years, the Lord called Sara Jo back to Southside Christian in 2021. She and her husband have two grown children who are both graduates of SCS and her grandchildren are also Sabres.

Phone
(864) 234-7595 | (864) 234-7575 (voicemail) | (864) 234-7048 (fax)

Early Education Principal
Sara Jo Dillard, ext. 1346 | sdillard@southsidechristian.org