GULF STREAM SCHOOL DELRAY BEACH CAMPUS
2515 NORTH SWINTON AVENUE
Delray Beach, FL 33444

Admission Inquiries: 561-276-5225
Delray Beach Campus Direct Line: 561-278-7735

Gulf Stream School is proud to bring our Pre-Primary curriculum and dynamic 86-year legacy to the Delray Beach Campus beginning fall of 2024. Our newly remodeled campus will ensure that the values and high standards that have defined Gulf Stream School for nearly a century will continue to benefit new generations of young learners. We look forward to creating a nurturing and inspiring environment where children can grow, learn, and excel, building on our exemplary history to shape the future. This expansion represents a significant milestone for our community, as we extend our tradition of excellence to Delray Beach, fostering the development of young minds in a supportive and innovative setting.

Philosophy

Similar to Pre-K, Kindergarten content includes language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, technology, and Spanish language. Children develop a foundation for strong reading skills and a lifelong love of learning.Through a structured approach to phonics, students learn how letters and sounds work together, helping them become strong, independent readers. The children will build real-world knowledge as they explore topics in history, science, literature and the arts; all designed to grow their vocabulary and critical thinking skills.

Our Teaching Environment

Connected classroom spaces further enable students to interact freely with classmates, teachers, and the inspiring environment we have created for early-childhood learning. Connected spaces and multi-age grouping facilitates differentiation in instruction, ensuring we meet the needs of every child. We pride ourselves on using open-ended questions and materials that encourage students to make meaningful discoveries, problem-solve, and think creatively. Throughout our day, students are engaged in small-group as well as large group instruction to help them achieve success in all domains of their development.

Students are encouraged to interact freely with their classmates, teachers, and the thoughtfully designed environment we’ve created to support early childhood learning. Our teachers facilitate differentiated instruction to ensure that the unique needs of every child are met. We pride ourselves in using open-ended questions and materials that spark curiosity, encourage creative thinking, and promote meaningful discovery and problem-solving. Throughout the day, students engage in both small-group and large-group instruction, providing balanced opportunities for collaborative learning and individual growth across all domains of development.

Program

We strive to create an engaging and enriching environment to promote growth and development. Each morning, as our little ones arrive, they will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of jobs. This helps our students develop a sense of responsibility and teamwork. Students will have choice time, where they can explore various activities such as block building, dramatic play, art lessons, book exploration, as well as music and movement. This fosters and reinforces creativity and imagination.

Throughout the day, we ensure there is a balance of academic structure. We have dedicated time for circle lessons, small group activities, and one-to-one instruction. During these sessions, we will focus on strategies and activities to help your child master beginning letter formation and number fluency. Our goal is to provide our students with a strong foundation for their future academic success. Of course, we understand the importance of nourishment and outdoor play. Therefore, there will be designated time for snack and lunch, ensuring your child’s energy levels are maintained. Additionally, we are excited to inform you about the installation of a new playground happening in the summer of 2024. Your children will have plenty of outdoor time to explore, play, and have fun. We are committed to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment where your child can thrive. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to a wonderful year ahead!

Program Resources
Blackbaud
DCF Paperwork
Grandparents' and Special Friends' Day
Introduction to Brightwheel
Parent Student Handbook
DBC Handbook Addendum
Supply List
Uniforms

Program Schedule

Drop Off
7:45AM - 8:30 AM
Curricular Program
8:30AM - 2:45PM
Optional Mid-day Pick Up
11:30 AM
Pick Up
2:45PM - 3:00PM
After School Program (ASP, additional cost)
3:00PM - 4:30PM
Pick Up from ASP
4:30PM

2025-26 Tuition

Tuition is full-day only and is based on the full school year, approximately 35 weeks.

1 year old
$26,261
2 years old
$23,000
3 years old
$23,000

After-School Program Schedule & Fees

Daily Program Run Time
3:00-4:30PM
$40
Class Offerings (sign-Ups in September, November, and February)
Charges

The rate is $40.00/day from 3:00 - 4:30 (or any portion of that time) and an additional $10 if the child is picked up after 4:30. Enrollment and payments for ASP will be done through Enrollsy. If you have questions about ASP, please contact ASP Director, Tina Hutchinson. Families that arrive to pick up their child(ren) after 4:30 will be charged $10.00 / minute payable in cash to the teachers staying late.

Ready to take the next step for your child’s education?

Apply Now

Administration and Admission

Christina Wheat
PRE-PRIMARY COORDINATOR

Jessica Dehaven
Managing Director

Mallory Hollowell
Admission and Enrollment Associate

Michael Mahady
Director of Admission

Christina Wheat
PRE-PRIMARY COORDINATOR

I was born and raised in Delray Beach and had the privilege of attending Gulf Stream School. I am now a proud mother of 3 children who have all flourished in the Gulf Stream community. In my free time, I am an Uber driver to my children who are involved in tennis, soccer, and cheer. We also love performing our own version of Carpool Karaoke and attending the theater. Some of our recent favorites are Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and Mean Girls. Ask any child around campus and they are sure to tell you that I am also known as the resident tooth puller!

Jessica Dehaven
Managing Director

I was born and raised in Northwestern Pennsylvania on a family dairy farm. After receiving my Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development in 2006, I moved to North Carolina to follow my love for teaching and the sunshine! In 2019, my husband’s career brought us to Florida. My teaching career began in the Pre-K classrooms and then I spent  10 years evaluating the quality of care given in classrooms. Now, as Managing Director of the DBC, I can help teachers create classrooms that promote the highest level of learning and encouragement. I enjoy being outdoors, reading mystery novels, and watching sunsets.

Mallory Hollowell
Admission and Enrollment Associate

I was born in New Jersey but grew up in South Florida. Although I live near the beach, my favorite place to be is in the mountains and my favorite adventure companion is Bailey, my golden doodle! In my free time, you can find me traveling, riding my Peloton, and enjoying time with family and friends. I joined Gulf Stream School after working in the public school setting for many years. The best part about working at a school is building relationships with students, families, colleagues, and alumni. I love being part of a team that helps students reach their full potential!

Michael Mahady
Director of Admission

I have held numerous positions at Gulf Stream School; however, once an educator always a teacher! The best part of each day has always been interacting with students on our dynamic campus alongside the faculty. I genuinely enjoy traveling, cooking, foreign films, every aquatic sport imaginable, learning new skills, and spending time with my wife and three children (all of whom attended GSS).

Faculty & Staff

Tina Hutchinson
Assistant to the Managing Director

Sakeena Jawad
PK1 Lead Teacher

B.S., University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Maddie Raynor
PK1 Assistant Teacher

M.A., University College, London

Jacqueline Donjuan
PK2 Lead Teacher

Daphne Tijero
PK2 Lead Teacher

Kim Cascio
PK1 and PK2 Assistant Teacher

B.S., Rutgers University

Ellen Tuman
PK2 Assistant Teacher, Director of After School Programs

B.A.

Jove Scott
PK3 Lead Teacher

Karoline Strasser
PK3 Lead Teacher

Melissa Braboy
PK3 Assistant Teacher

mbraboy@gulfstreamschool.org

Bella Kubach
PK3 Assistant Teacher

M.A., University of Florida

Sakeena Jawad
PK1 Lead Teacher

B.S., University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

This is my first year at Gulf Stream School teaching the one-year-olds, but my third year at the Delray Beach location which was formerly St. Joseph’s School. I bring over 20 years of experience in early childhood education to Gulf Stream School. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Policies and Community Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and have experience working in public schools, private schools and charter schools. I enjoy learning and practicing different languages such as Spanish, and I am very new to learning Portuguese and Arabic. I have three children ages 19, 16, and 12. My oldest is a sophomore at FIU and the other two are homeschooled through online public school. I enjoy seeing the growth in language of the littlest ones at Gulf Stream School as they grow through the school year. Fun fact about me, I have been taking the Brazilian martial arts, Capoeira, with my youngest daughter since January 2024.

Jacqueline Donjuan
PK2 Lead Teacher

I have been working with pre-primary children for three years. This is my first year at Gulf Stream School and I was previously a Spanish Lead Teacher for two-year-olds at Bright Horizons. I was born and raised here in Boca Raton, Florida. I love the beach and my favorite color is pink! I am very family-oriented and was raised in a Mexican-American household, making Spanish my first language. I am currently working on my degree in Early Childhood Education, and will graduate in December, 2024. Every one of my students holds a special place in my heart and I am so excited to teach future generations.

Daphne Tijero
PK2 Lead Teacher

I am originally from Peru where I worked as a child psychologist for five years. I came to the United States 22 years ago and studied at college in order to continue working with children. I obtained the Child Development Association (CDA) and more credentials in Conscious Discipline. I ​​have been working with children from ages one to five for 20 years. It is a profession that I like. I have been working with children since I was 18 years old. I have two children of my own, a 13-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl. I really like traveling with my family, relaxing, and doing arts and crafts, and I still continue studying and updating myself about teaching children.

Kim Cascio
PK1 and PK2 Assistant Teacher

B.S., Rutgers University

A native of New Jersey, I graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Psychology and two teaching certificates. With a love for young children, I began my teaching career in the area of Early Childhood Education. After raising three daughters, I returned to the workforce, teaching special needs preschoolers in an integrated Pre-K program. I moved to Maryland 12 years ago when my youngest daughter attended Towson University and I worked in a Christian preschool program. Due to a high need for Special Education teachers, I was recruited by the public schools as a Middle School Resource Teacher to work with groups of learning-disabled sixth graders. Following my daughter once again, I recently moved to Florida where I intend to enjoy warm weather activities year-round. I am very excited to return to working with the youngest population as they have always provided me with laughter and pure joy.

Ellen Tuman
PK2 Assistant Teacher, Director of After School Programs

B.A.

After growing up in New York and graduating from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, I moved to sunny Florida. I have been down here ever since and raised my three children in Boynton Beach. My passion is teaching young children through play, creativity, and hands-on activity. I have had many experiences as a lead teacher for children ages 18 months to five years old.  I just adore the connections I make with each child, and I enjoy bringing out the unique and special qualities within each of them.

Jove Scott
PK3 Lead Teacher

Gulf Stream School holds a very special place in my heart. Before having my two amazing boys (Carter, 17 and Cole, 13), I taught Kindergarten at GSS. Little ones have always been a passion of mine and I knew that, when my boys were older, I wanted to return to the Little School by the Sea! In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, traveling, fishing, going to the beach, and spending time with Carter and Cole. I am very grateful and excited to be a part of the DBC team. 

Karoline Strasser
PK3 Lead Teacher

I was born in Boca Raton and have a special connection with the Delray Beach Campus, as I attended preschool here in 1998 (when it was  known as the Oak School). It feels like a full circle moment for me getting to teach Pre-K3 at my alma mater. After preschool, my family moved to a small town in Upper Austria where I lived until I went to college at Florida Atlantic University. In my free time, I love to spend quality time with my boyfriend Teddy, travel overseas, try new restaurants, and go shopping. Two fun facts about me: I’m a good skier and I can also drive a stick shift car.

Melissa Braboy
PK3 Assistant Teacher

mbraboy@gulfstreamschool.org

I am a rare Florida native. I was born in Sarasota and grew up in Royal Palm Beach. I graduated from Southeastern University with a Sports and Recreation Management Degree in 2009 and then moved to England to play soccer for five years. After moving back to Delray Beach, I met and married my husband, Geoff, and together we have 2 boys – Hendrix and Pierce – who both attend GSS. I love working as an Assistant Teacher in the three-year-old classroom at the Delray Beach Campus. In my free time I am soaking in the sunshine at the beach with my family.