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4832 Highland Ave.

Downers Grove, IL 60515

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Monday to Friday

Preschool

Preschool

St. Joseph Catholic School offers Preschool for three and four-year-olds. The curriculum is designed to be fun and engaging while preparing children for success in Kindergarten in a safe, nurturing and faith-building environment. We follow the Diocese of Joliet early childhood curriculum guidelines. In addition, we aim to meet the Illinois Early Learning Standards benchmarks in all subject areas. Curriculum supports the fact that children learn through play.

Providing opportunities for exploring and discovering through hands-on activities is an important part of the learning process. Both teacher-directed and child-initiated activities are used to cover all areas of development. At St. Joseph Preschool, your child will benefit from our certified teachers who have over 20 years of teaching experience, as well as a personalized learning environment due to our small class sizes and paraprofessionals (teacher aides) in each classroom.

Meet Our Teachers

PreK for 3s and 4s

  • Three classrooms lead by  Mrs. Kuper, Mrs. Andrews and Mrs. O’Brien, along with paraprofessionals (teacher aides) for each classroom
  • Features two morning classrooms for 3 and 4 year olds and a classroom for PreK4 Plus

    • PreK3:
      Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00-11:00 am
      NEW! Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00-11:00 am
    • PreK4:
      NEW! Monday through Friday from 8:00-11:00 am
    • PreK4 Plus: Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-2:00 pm

Benefits of St. Joseph PreK Program

St. Joseph School is a Catholic community that offers students a challenging academic education while building their love of God and commitment to improving the world. We educate the whole student – mind, body and spirit – and encourage each child to become the person God calls him or her to be. Ultimately, our goal is to prepare children for academic and personal success in a faith-filled, nurturing environment.

An award-winning school, St. Joseph nurtures spiritual growth, provides challenging intellectual opportunities, and encourages each child to succeed.

Primary benefits include:

  • Excellent curriculum and teachers
  • Opportunity for parent interaction
  • Seamless transition to Kindergarten
  • Convenient curbside drop-off and pick-up service
  • Balance between education and social interaction
  • Faith formation integrated throughout curriculum

 

Curriculum

Religion – Lessons help the children discover God, our loving Father. Children learn to appreciate all he has given us and how to be thankful. Jesus is introduced as a friend and someone we can talk to anytime. Students learn that Jesus loves all people and did many wonderful things during His lifetime. Prayer services led by the teacher expand on lessons and celebrate holidays, holy days and liturgical seasons. We use an early childhood religion program, Allelu, published by Our Sunday Visitor. Lessons involve songs, activity sheets, Bible stories and prayer.

Language Arts – Skills are incorporated into all areas of learning throughout the day. Children develop listening skills through the use of stories, poetry and rhymes, games, and following directions to complete a task. Speaking skills are practiced through Show and Tell, dramatic play, interacting with peers, and sharing experiences at group time. Daily story time led by the teacher helps develop a love of literature and provides a chance to introduce pre-reading skills.

Literacy – The Jolly Phonics Program is utilized to engage students in developing the tools necessary for early literacy skills. Jolly Phonics, which is introduced in the PreK3 program and expanded upon in PreK4, is a fun and child centered approach to teaching phonics and decoding skills. With actions for each of the 42 letter sounds, the multi-sensory method is very motivating for children and teachers. While Jolly Phonics is used in learning letter sounds, teachers use a large variety of theme-based books, anchor charts and hands-on activities that focus on the pre-reading skills needed to become successful readers. Skills covered are letter recognition, listening, comprehension, print awareness, left to right tracking, rhyming, visual development and fine motor skills.

Mathematics – Our teachers use Hands on Standards to guide their math instruction that encourages students to build, model, create, and represent key concepts. Skills covered include number values, counting 1-10, addition, subtraction, measurement, sorting, shape attributes, patterns, and more. Through the use of manipulatives, games and activities, the children are able to use critical thinking skills, solve problems and reason to understand math concepts.

ScienceWe take a hands-on approach to science by letting the children’s natural curiosity teach them about the world around us. The children make observations, discover how things work, and see cause and effect relationships. Some concepts learned are volume, balance, life cycles, and physical properties of matter. Our science curriculum is supplemented by literature, art projects, and cooking activities.

Handwriting – Handwriting is taught using a developmental approach based on the most relevant research about how young children learn best. We break difficult concepts into simple tasks, use a variety of materials that engage little learners, all based on the belief that every child can achieve. Focus is on writing grip and letter formation.

Motor Development – Large and small muscle development is addressed in the program. Gross motor skills are improved through games, play, creative movement, and use of gross motor equipment. The Fine Motor Center provides children with opportunities to do puzzles, play games, and use manipulatives. While working at the Writing Center, the children are able to practice proper pencil grip and use of scissors.

Art and Music – The arts give the children an opportunity to express themselves. Various media used in open-ended art projects allows for individual creativity. Music is used to teach concepts, enhance religion lessons, and provide opportunities for creative movement and calming. It allows the children to sing with a group and learn words and melodies.

Social Skills – Students learn social skills necessary to get along with their peers and function in a classroom setting. Sharing, taking turns, caring for materials, cooperating with others, following directions, and communicating effectively are skills emphasized throughout the day.

 

For more information or to schedule your personal tour, please call the School Office at 630-969-4306.

Application and Admissions Process