Our Mission:
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School is a welcoming, Christ-centered family, dedicated to sharing our love and faith.
Our Vision:
Good Shepherd Lutheran School nurtures the whole child through play while encouraging Christian values and lifelong learning in a dynamic world.
We envision a nurturing, faith-filled environment where every child grows strong in heart, mind, and spirit. Grounded in the love of Christ and guided by our partnership with families, we seek to cultivate children who are deeply rooted in character and prepared for a lifetime of learning and service.
We accomplish this by providing a play-based curriculum that encourages curiosity, creativity, and joyful discovery. Our six foundational “roots”—problem solving, responsibility, independence, manners, empathy, and self-control—are woven into daily experiences, helping children develop the social-emotional and spiritual tools they need to thrive.
With dedicated educators, a supportive Christian community, and a whole-child approach, we plant seeds of faith, confidence, and compassion—believing that the early years are the soil where strong lives are cultivated.
Our Program:
Good Shepherd Lutheran School offers preschool programs for children ages 6 weeks through VPK. We follow a play-based learning approach for all ages and truly believe in the power of PLAY. Our lessons are planned around our students, their needs, and the Florida Standards.
Along with our Preschool Programs, we also have a Summer Camp Program for school-aged children (those entering Kindergarten-5th grade).
Curriculum:
We use the Creative Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers and Creative Curriculum for Preschool. We also incorporate One in Christ as our religion curriculum. Additionally, we follow the Florida Early Learning and Development Standards for Birth to Kindergarten.
Social Emotional Learning:
The Roots of GSLS, also known as P.R.I.M.E.S., is a key factor in social emotional learning we provide. We accomplish this by providing a play-based curriculum that encourages curiosity, creativity, and joyful discovery. Our six foundational “roots”—problem solving, responsibility, independence, manners, empathy, and self-control—are woven into daily experiences, helping children develop the social-emotional and spiritual tools they need to thrive.
Problem Solving: We teach problem solving to help children learn how to think through challenges in a calm and confident way. Whether it’s figuring out how to build a tower that won’t fall or how to share a toy with a friend, problem solving encourages creativity, perseverance, and critical thinking. These skills set the foundation for lifelong learning and resilience.
Responsibility means taking ownership of our actions and doing our part in a group. We introduce this value by encouraging children to take care of their belongings, follow classroom routines, and help others. Learning responsibility early helps children build trust, develop pride in their efforts, and become dependable members of their community.
Independence: We foster independence by giving children opportunities to make choices, try new things, and complete age-appropriate tasks on their own. From putting on their own shoes to cleaning up after snack, developing independence boosts self-esteem and teaches kids they are capable and confident individuals.
Manners: Using kind words, listening to others, and showing respect are all part of good manners. We believe teaching manners helps children build positive relationships, express themselves respectfully, and feel more comfortable in social situations. It’s about helping them understand how their behavior affects others.
Empathy is the ability to understand and care about how someone else feels. We teach empathy by helping children recognize emotions, use kind words, and offer support to friends. Developing empathy builds compassion, strengthens friendships, and creates a more inclusive, caring classroom community.
Self-control helps children manage their emotions, make thoughtful choices, and respond to challenges in positive ways. We practice this by modeling calm behavior, giving children tools to handle big feelings, and celebrating their efforts to wait their turn or follow directions. These early lessons in self-control lay the groundwork for success in school and beyond.
To learn more about our age-specific programs, click the links below!