Saint Michael's offers a licensed Preschool Program

Each week our students are introduced to a new letter, letter sound, and vocabulary words that feature their letter. These become the building blocks of literacy that they will play with as they grow up, progressing into Kindergarten and first grade.

Celebrating holidays, liturgical events, and the joys of each season can create a vibrant and wonder-filled community. Our school celebrations provide students with a sense of tradition and belonging, while also enriching their educational experience with cultural and spiritual growth.

Throughout the year, students in our preschool learn about both locally sourced and exotic foods from around the world. 
They have made fresh apple sauce and pressed grape juice. They have chopped fruits and vegetables for St. Brigid's Kitchen (a ministry of St. Michael Parish) and toured their kitchen and food pantry.

1. Strengthens the Classroom Bond: Sharing meals provides an opportunity for students to connect, communicate, and build stronger relationships with one another and their teachers.
2. Improves Nutrition: Children who eat together tend to be more adventurous about new foods as they are encouraged to try fruits, vegetables, and balanced meals with their peers.
3. Promotes Positive Behavior: Student "family meals" can reduce the occurrence of disruptive behaviors in children as they are more inclined to eat a full, balanced lunch. 
4. Teaches Social Skills: Mealtime conversations help children develop communication skills, manners, and the ability to engage in meaningful discussions.
5. Creates Lasting Memories: Shared meals create cherished memories and traditions that can be shared around the dinner table with family later on that night.

Preschoolers are encouraged to master essential daily routines such as eating meals at the table, washing hands, brushing teeth properly, resting when their bodies are tired, and listening to others, whether classmates or adults. These fundamental skills are practiced and nurtured with the goal of achieving mastery before entering Kindergarten.

One of the intangible benefits of enrollment at Saint Michaels is inclusion into the larger school community. Our preschool students are known and loved by older students and staff alike. Our preschoolers attend Mass weekly, take classes with our music teacher to perform at our Christmas and spring concerts, and enjoy All School Meetings twice a week with the rest of the school. It is not uncommon to see a high school student stop in at lunchtime to say hello and pass out 'high fives' to the preschoolers while they enjoy their meal. They share the hallways with their older siblings and quickly form friendships with older students. Our preschoolers are assigned to buddies in our middle school and that relationship can continue to last for years. Preschoolers have really kind-hearted, "cool kids" to look up to, and sharing the hallways with little ones can soften the hearts of any teenager. For students with no siblings, this opportunity to form meaningful relationships with peers who are older or younger can be deeply meaningful. Everyone benefits.