Art Start
The Fall 2025/26 Art Start program is currently full. Families can arrange a visit and be included on a waitlist. Due to the small class size, the program has limited openings for Fall 2025-26. Call or email to plan a visit. 540-665-4602, scaa@su.edu.
The Art Start program provides a foundation in academics incorporating music, movement, and art to develop and nurture a child’s innate artistic and creative exploration. This unique program offered at SCAA is designed for ages 3.5 to 5 years (Pre-K). Classes meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Art Start is a STEAM program created by Abby Johnson. Drawing on her extensive background in youth education, pedagogy, Montessori, and the arts, this program aims to engage all aspects of learning. Building upon a child’s inherent creativity, Art Start engages students at every sensory level. Through the use of hands-on lessons and interactive manipulatives, children will move, explore, build, and invent. Abby has carefully curated each lesson and created every material to engage with the living world and to teach students to engage with both the concrete and the abstract. We are thrilled that Abby Johnson is able to extend her love for teaching into this new offering. Her warm and friendly personality is sure to motivate students to actively learn through exploration.
Your Child Will Learn
- Math – Learn basic mathematical concepts and functions, including quantity, place value, and numeration.
- Language – Introduce the alphabet, phonics, and progress towards learning to read which will lead to writing.
- Cultural – Explore the universe; including astronomy, geography, history, and biology lessons.
- Science – Investigate the natural world of animals, life cycles, and environment.
- Art – Nurture creative processes, basic design principles, and techniques.
- Creative Movement – Refine spatial awareness while working on fine and gross motor skills.
- Music – Practice rhythm, pattern, and sound with musical instruments such as rhythm sticks, bells, xylophones, and drums.
The Art Start Day
Daily lessons are geared to the needs of the specific child/children within the classroom. Lessons are multi-sensorial and presented using vivid imaginary, as well as hands-on and creative in nature to further their understanding of the concepts being taught. Children will participate in daily large group lessons, as well as smaller individualized lessons.
Sample Daily Schedule
- 9:15 a.m. – Small group work
- 9:30 a.m. – Circle time (calendar, weather, etc.) followed by a large group lesson
- 10 a.m. – Activities and lessons that are teacher and student directed
- 12 p.m. – Clean-up and lunch
- 12:30 p.m. – Group, reading, imaginative play, learning centers
“I built this program because I fell in love with Montessori’s science-based understanding of how children learn and wanted to add an arts-infused approach to fuel the creativity inherent in every child!”
Classes Begin
Monday, September 8, 2025
Classes End
May 2026
Location
Shenandoah Conservatory
Arts Academy
John Kerr Building
Room 308
Instructor
Abigail Johnson
Tuition
$235 per week (four days per week for 30 weeks)
$180 per week (three days per week for 30 weeks)
$120 per week (two days per week for 30 weeks)
*Optional two or three days per week are also available
Deposit*
$235 deposit
(Four-day per week registration)
$180 deposit
(Three-day per week registration)
$120 deposit
(Two-day per week registration)
Registration Fee*
$35
Students pay a one-time annual Registration Fee which covers all classes and lessons taken between September and August.
*non-refundable
Payment Plans
Payment Plans are available as an option for class tuition.
