Aquinas Academy Pre-Kindergarten was the first national, faith-based early childhood program accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. In addition, our preschool was included in our Blue Ribbon School application and thus shares in our distinction of being a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

Aquinas Academy's Preschool is staffed with certified teachers and experienced teaching assistants. The staff strives to instill a love of learning in our students, helping them to become life-long learners.

The Preschool curriculum focuses on each child’s abilities and helps them achieve success. The curriculum includes religion, math skills, emergent language arts skills, science skills, social studies skills,  and social-emotional development through thematic units. Throughout the school year, our students learn how to build positive relationships with peers and adults. Our program focuses on a different character strength and helps students find their strengths as well as the strengths of others. By focusing on their strengths, students are able to build positive relationships and focus on the good in others.

Our Pre-Kindergarten offers half, school and full-day programs for students ages 2.5 - 4 as of October 1st. Our half-day programs run from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Our school day program runs from  8:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The school day 4 year old program is part of the Academy Preschool. 

Children entering the PK2.5 program must be 2.5 years of age by October 1, children entering the PK3 program must 3 year of age by October 1 and children entering the PK4 program must be 4 years of age by October . All children enrolled in the preschool must be full toilet trained. Children are not permitted to wear diapers or pull-ups to school.

The Academy Preschool class (APS)  is designed for children four (4) years of age who will be attending preschool five (5) days a week from 8:00 am until 3:00 pm. The APS classroom is located in McCann Hall next to the TK and Kindergarten classrooms. The children in this class do not take a nap during the school day.  The program’s integrated curriculum provides a challenging environment where each child can develop at their own pace, academically, emotionally and socially. The APS program uses material similar to those used in our Transitional Kindergarten program. 

Children in the Academy Preschool Program wear gym uniforms, consisting of navy blue sweatpants or gym shorts and a gold Aquinas Academy gym shirt, daily. Items with the logo or school name can be purchased from either FlynnO'Hara, or our gently worn uniform store that is located at the school.

Students in the APS participate in all Academy activities including liturgies and other special events. In addition to their academic subjects, students will also receive instruction in Art, Music and Spanish once a week and Physical Education twice a week. 

Four (4) year old students who still require a nap may be placed in a class with the full day 4 year old students. The full-day program runs from 7:30 AM until 3:00 PM with after-care (included in the full day tuition rate)  being provided from 3:00 - 6:00 PM for all age groups. 2.5  and 3 year students in the school day program take a nap after lunch as do all full day students. All preschool students must be toilet-trained before entering any program.

Enrollment in the Preschool program is for the full academic (September through June) year and tuition is calculated on a yearly basis.  Tuition rates for each program can be found on our website. The Preschool follows the Aquinas Academy academic calendar posted on our website. 

Children who have missed the Kindergarten cut-off of October 1, or are turning five by December 31st also have the option of the Aquinas Academy Transitional Kindergarten program.  Click here to learn more.