We strive to provide a safe environment where your child can play, learn and grow with practices rooted in Jesus' teachings. Our expectations are to form a partnership with the parents for the benefit of the children.
Little Lions Program
Saint Leo the Great Preschool provides a variety of class schedules for your 3 and 4 year old student. Please contact the Preschool Director, Katie Blanchard at (703)273-1211 ext. 652 or kblanchard@saintleothegreatschool.org for more information.
Part Time Class Schedule
Morning session: 7:40 am - 11:15 pm
Afternoon session: 11:15 am - 2:50 pm
Full Time Class Schedule
7:40 am - 2:50 pm
* children must be 3 years old by September 30th of the current year
** children must be 4 years old by September 30th of the current year
***Children must be fully potty trained. Pull Ups are NOT allowed.
Curriculum
Our class follows a daily routine and content is based on monthly themes with specific thematic units each week. Our 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, creative, fine motor, independence, social, and emotional skills in a fun learning environment that is developmentally responsive to his/her strengths and needs. Saint Leo the Great school complies with the Arlington Diocese curriculum guidelines for preschool and the Commonwealth of Virginia's Foundation Blocks for Early learning.
Language Arts: Each week a new letter is introduced . Our objective for the students is for them to understand the letter sounds and how to properly write each letter. We employ the Haggerty Phonic Awareness curriculum. The lessons are oral and auditory to support building alphabet knowledge and language awareness.
Math: Each week a new number is introduced. Basic math is taught through the understanding of shapes, counting numerals, classification, patterning, forming and writing/tracing numbers.
Science: Basic science is taught by integrating the five senses and using a variety of materials to explore the world. We include them in our weekly themes, life cycles of living things, and the changing seasons.
Religion: We follow the religious holidays of the Catholic church and make prayer a part of our daily schedule. We celebrate the saints, honor the holy family, and embrace one another with God's love.
Music: We participate in musical experiences throughout the day. Students will develop discipline, teamwork, cultural awareness, and musical skills, through singing, music literacy, playing instruments, and performing in school and church activities.
Mass
We attend mass as a school each week. Pre-K students buddy with an upper grade students. In early fall, the preschoolers begin attending mass with the school. Parents are welcome to attend.
Arrival & Dismissal
All Pre-K students enter the building in the morning along with the K-8th students. Morning carpool line begins at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 8:00 a.m.
Pre-K students are dismissed at 2:50 p.m. from the same entrance.
Attendance
School begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. must sign in at the front office.
Absences must be reported prior to 8:00 a.m. by emailing the preschool director, Katie Blanchard or by calling the front office 703-273-1211.
Notify Mrs. Blanchard of any scheduled absences.
Extended Day
Extended Day is available for Pre-K students for morning and afternoon. Care before school is 6:40 AM-7:40 AM, afterschool is dismissal until 6 PM. Students must be registered before attending and an hourly fee is applied per child.
Uniform
All Preschool students must follow the dress code and wear the Saint Leo's gym uniform. Uniforms are available for purchase from Flynn O'Hara. The school also has gently used uniforms that are available for students during our "Used uniform sale".
Snacks & Lunch
The Preschool classroom is a peanut restricted room; we accommodate student's with food allergies.
Pre-K students eat lunch and snack in the classroom, and they must provide their own meals. Monthly lunch meals are available for purchase.