Mr. Fred Rogers

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

INQUIRE & VISIT
APPLY

We will begin accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year on August 1.

We will begin accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year on August 1.

Thank you for your interest in Saint Luke School!

PRESCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

Saint Luke Preschool strives to provide an environment full of growth, play, and learning. Children are encouraged to learn by engaging in new experiences and creative play activities. St. Luke Preschool offers a full day 4 year old program (PreK). The Pre-K program is a full day program and meets from 8 until 3 pm each day.

We offer a warm, nurturing environment that fosters a love of learning, spirituality, and age appropriate developmental activities. Saint Luke Preschool strives to provide an environment full of growth, play, and learning. Children are encouraged to learn by engaging in new experiences and creative play activities. The aim is to develop the whole child cognitively, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

The focus of our Preschool is to encourage further development of social skills, a strong self esteem, a love for learning, and to prepare students for Kindergarten.

Our program is unique in that we can offer so many specials given almost all of our teachers are Pre-K certified. That, along with our innovative philosophy, provides our children an experience that few other preschool programs can match.

Mrs. Anne Ryan Craig, Preschool Director

I collaborate with the Preschool teachers to ensure that the children are ready for Kindergarten. I make it a point to get to know all of the Preschool students so that the transition to Kindergarten is seamless.

Mrs. Regina Allegra, Kindergarten Teacher

The school does an amazing job at integrating the Preschool children with the rest of the student body, yet at the same time, they have their own traditions and activities.

Parent

I’ve had multiple children go through the Preschool program, and they are so well prepared for Kindergarten and beyond. The faculty is amazing! The program really taught my children how to feel comfortable in a learning environment.

Parent
Specials taught
Smart Connectedness
Learn to play. Play to learn.
Kindergarten preparedness
Resource teachers
amazing teachers

Our Preschool Curriculum

Language Arts

Language Arts

Math

Math

Science

Science

Religion

Religion

Technology

Technology

Art

Art

Music

Music

Gym

Gym

Learn Through Play

Through play, children can develop social and cognitive skills, mature emotionally, and gain the self-confidence required to engage in new experiences and environments. Key ways that our preschoolers learn include playing, being with other people, being active, exploring and new experiences, talking to themselves, communication with others, meeting physical and mental challenges, being shown how to do new things, practicing and repeating skills and having fun.

Faith

A child’s sense of God originates from the warm atmosphere of love and acceptance in the preschool environment.? Pre-K students attend school mass on a weekly basis. Students are taught from the Children’s Bible and the SEEDS curriculum.

We have recently started a “prayer buddy” program where preschool students partner with older students at Saint Luke to engage in prayer.

Academic Structure

Saint Luke Preschool complies with the Arlington Diocese curriculum guidelines for preschool and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning. Our class follows a daily routine and content is based on monthly themes, with more specific thematic units each week. The curriculum includes flexibility to focus on individual class/student needs.

We use the Responsive Classroom approach, which integrates academic and social-emotional skills to create an environment where students can do their best learning.

All facets of our program focus on engaging childrens’ multiple senses.? We employ the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading education, as well as to other areas.

Preschool & Pre-K Program Details

The Saint Luke Pre-K Program provides a rich environment of growth, play, and learning. Children are encouraged to learn by engaging in new experiences and creative play. Our aim is to develop the whole child spiritually, cognitively, emotionally, and physically. Classes are offered for 4 year olds.

PRE-K

4-year old classes are Monday through Friday from 8:00 – 3:00. Extended Day is available for Pre-K students.

Children must be 4 years old by September 30 of the current school year to be eligible for their respective class. Students must be fully potty trained. Pull Ups are NOT allowed.

For more information or to schedule a tour, please email Anne Ryan Craig, Preschool Director, or call the Front Office at 703.356.1508.

Curriculum

Saint Luke School complies with the Arlington Diocese curriculum guidelines for preschool and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning. Our class follows a daily routine and content is based on monthly themes with specific thematic units each week. The curriculum is flexible and allows us to focus on individual class/student needs. Our Preschool staff embraces the Orton Gillingham approach to teaching. This tactile, multisensory approach to teaching letter recognition and sounds employs a variety of mediums including sand, skywriting, textured mats, and play doh. The Orton Gillingham approach is complemented by our responsive classroom style which is based on the belief that integrating academics and social-emotional skills create an environment where students thrive. The whole child develops academic, social, and emotional skills in a learning environment that is developmentally responsive to his/her strengths and needs. It’s a fun and personal way for students to connect with one another and their teachers.

  • Language Arts: Each week, a new letter is introduced. Our objective for the students is to understand that each letter makes a sound and teaches students how to properly write letters.
  • Math: Basic math is taught through the understanding of shapes, colors, counting, numerals, classification, patterning, forming and writing numbers.
  • Science: Basic science is taught by integrating the five senses, cooking projects, and using a variety of materials to explore the world.
  • Religion: The warm atmosphere of love and acceptance in the Preschool environment lends itself to lessons taught from the Children’s Bible and the SEEDS curriculum which offers a lively way for young children to experience the Gospel.

Mass

We celebrate mass as a school at 9:00 am every Wednesday. In early fall, Pre-K students begin attending mass with the school.

Arrival & Dismissal

All Pre-K students enter the building through Door 11 and are met by preschool staff at 7:50 am.
Pre-K students are dismissed at 3:00 pm from the main entrance, Door 1.

Attendance

School begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students arriving after 8:15 a.m. must sign in at the Front Office.

  • Absences must be reported prior to 8:00 a.m. by emailing Anne Ryan Craig or the Front Office or by calling 703.356.1508
  • Notify Mrs. Craig of any scheduled absences.

Extended Day

Extended Day is available for Pre-K students from 3:00 – 6:00 pm.

Uniform

All Preschool students must follow the dress code and wear the Saint Luke School uniform. Uniforms are available for purchase from FlynnO’Hara. The school also has gently used uniforms that are available for students. All students must have an extra uniform available at school.

Rest Time

Pre-K students rest for 1 hour each day in compliance with the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Snacks & Lunch

The Preschool classroom is a nut-free room; we can accommodate students with food allergies.

All snacks are provided by the school and are compliant with preschool licensing guidelines, i.e., string cheese, crackers, 100% apple juice.

Only Pre-K students eat lunch at school and they must provide their own meals. All food brought in, including lunches, must be clearly labeled with your child’s name, date, and description.

Room Moms

We are grateful for their help, time, and dedication. They are true angels!

Mission

Saint Luke School is dedicated to educating the whole child: mind, body, and soul. With Christ as our guide, we instill Catholic values and faith, promote academic excellence, and inspire our students to be life-long learners who are socially responsible citizens committed to serving others.