3 | 4| 5
Year olds

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me..."

Matthew 19:14

Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten at Branches Academy at The Vine

Welcome to Branches Academy at The Vine, a private Christian school in Laurel, Montana, dedicated to nurturing young hearts and minds in the light of Christ. Formerly New Life School of Light, our preschool and pre-kindergarten programs serve children ages 3 to 5, fostering their growth—spiritually, socially, intellectually, emotionally, and physically—through a faith-based, developmentally rich environment. Rooted in the biblical mandate to “train up a child” (Proverbs 22:6), we partner with parents to disciple young learners, helping them thrive in relationship with God and others while preparing them for a lifetime of learning.

Our Programs

Our preschool and pre-kindergarten programs are designed to meet the needs of young learners with flexible schedules and small class sizes (1:14 ratio) to ensure personalized attention. We emphasize love, literacy, and the Word of God, integrating Dr. Caroline Leaf’s research on helping children manage their mental mess through mindfulness and the 5-step learning process. This approach empowers children to think, learn, and succeed while cultivating healthy mindsets.

  • 3-Year-Old Preschool (Ages 3–4)
    • Schedule Options: Choose 2 mornings (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, 8:30 AM–11:30 AM) or 4 mornings (Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM–11:30 AM).
    • Tuition: $150/month (2 days) or $200/month (4 days).
    • Focus: Social skills, early literacy, and spiritual growth through play-based learning, worship, and prayer. Children must be 3 by September 10 and toilet-trained.
  • 4-Year-Old Pre-Kindergarten (Ages 4–5)
    • Schedule: 4 mornings (Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM–11:30 AM).
    • Tuition: $200/month.
    • Focus: Kindergarten readiness through structured activities, emphasizing language skills, emotional awareness, and biblical principles. Children must be 4 by September 10.
Register for fall 2025

Enrollment Information

  • Eligibility:  Children must be 3 or 4 by September 10 and toilet-trained for preschool or pre-kindergarten, respectively.
  • Tuition:  Affordable monthly payments with discounts for full-year payment or multiple students (contact our Director for details).

Our Approach

At Branches Academy, we view education as a partnership between school and family, rooted in our core values of love, literacy, and the Word of God. Our preschool and pre-kindergarten programs integrate Dr. Caroline Leaf’s 5-step learning process to help children build strong memories and healthy mindsets:

  1. Input: Children read, listen, and watch to absorb information mindfully, becoming aware of their thoughts and feelings.
  2. Reflect: Through asking, answering, and discussing, children engage with information, building active memory with multiple connections.
  3. Write: Creating “metacogs” (mind maps) helps children process and edit their thoughts, through drawing, acting it out, word associations etc...
  4. Recheck: Children verify their understanding, ensuring accuracy and clarity in their learning.
  5. Output: By reteaching concepts to themselves or others, children solidify long-term memory and apply knowledge confidently.
This process, inspired by Dr. Leaf’s book How to Help Your Child Clean Up Their Mental Mess, supports children in developing self-awareness and emotional regulation while aligning with our belief that children are “wired for love” and optimism.

We also incorporate the 7 Thinking Modules (Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Linguistic, Logical/Mathematical, Kinesthetic, Musical, Visual/Spatial) to honor each child’s unique way of thinking, ensuring they feel valued and understood.

Partnering with Parents

We believe parents are critical to a child’s success, as research shows that family involvement enhances motivation and achievement. At Branches Academy, we foster a strong home-to-school connection through:

  • Parent Involvement: Opportunities to volunteer in the classroom, assist with events like Family Fun Nights, or contribute to projects such as the Blessing Ceremonies and Art Show.
  • Communication: Monthly newsletters, the REMIND app, and Parent-Teacher Connections (in September, February, and May) keep you informed and engaged.
  • Practical Support: Parents provide simple snacks, labeled water bottles, and a change of clothes in a Ziploc® bag for emergencies, as noted in our handbook.

Our discipline approach, grounded in Galatians 5:22–23, emphasizes the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) to guide children toward self-awareness and Christ-like behavior. We use “time-outs” as a learning tool to help children reflect on choices, always balancing justice with mercy and encouraging forgiveness.

Why choose Branches?

Faith Based Learning

As a ministry of The Vine, we disciple children to know and live God’s Word, fostering spiritual growth through worship, prayer, and declarations like “I Declare” to affirm their identity in Christ.

Small Class Sizes

With a 1:14 teacher-to-student ratio, we provide individualized attention to nurture each child’s unique gifts. (Often with less due to aides and volunteers.)

Holistic Development

Our curriculum, inspired by Dr. Leaf’s research, supports the whole child—spiritually, socially, intellectually, emotionally, and physically—preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.

Community Events

Join us for Family Fun Nights, field trips, and special events like the Blessing Ceremonies, where parents read personalized blessings to their children, celebrating their growth and creativity.

Contact Us

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