At East Dover Early Childhood Center, we are proud to be a leadership-rich learning community where our littlest Senators grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
As a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, we believe every child has genius and is capable of leading their own learning journey. We model and teach the 8 Habits of Happy Kids, empowering students to build habits of independence, responsibility, and teamwork. Leadership is not just a concept at East Dover—it’s a way of life. Our students are given meaningful leadership roles and voice in their classrooms and school community, helping them to see themselves as capable, confident learners.
Our school culture is rooted in positive relationships and proactive support. Through our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework, we recognize and celebrate students for demonstrating our core values. Daily incentives, leadership links, and quarterly celebrations spotlight positive choices and student success.
We are deeply committed to building strong connections with families and community partners. Whether through our active Family and Community Lighthouse Team, dedicated volunteers, or community mentors, we know that early learning thrives in partnership. Families are encouraged to participate in our many events, including Academic Nights, art/music performances, seasonal celebrations, and classroom showcases.
As a school that prioritizes explicit instruction and foundational skills, our curriculum is designed to prepare students for long-term success. We implement:
- Wonders for English Language Arts and foundational literacy development
- i-Ready for math instruction and personalized learning pathways
- Amplify Science for inquiry-based, hands-on learning experiences
- Writing across all content areas, with a focus on oral language, sentence development, and expressive communication
Our Related Arts program—featuring Art, Music, Physical Education, Library, and Science—provides enriching experiences that support the whole child.
All instruction is aligned to the Common Core State Standards and implemented with research-based practices. We use a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to ensure every child receives the academic and behavioral support they need. Intervention blocks are embedded into the school day, and data-driven decisions guide our work to help all students thrive.
At East Dover Early Childhood Center, we leave people, places, and things better than we found them. We are honored to nurture our youngest learners through joyful experiences, purposeful teaching, and a culture of leadership. Together, we are growing leaders and building a strong foundation for the future.