Preschool Mission Statement
To provide quality Catholic education in a faith-filled environment, serving the community as one family in the body of Christ. We are fostering active Christians, life long learners, effective communicators, responsible citizens, and self-aware individuals.
Recognizing that the central purpose of Our Lady of Joy Parish is to become ever more deeply a Eucharistic Community, the preschool will assist young children, their families, and the entire parish community in exploring the meaning of the Eucharist, and to serve others with the love of Christ.
In pursuit of this mission, the preschool will:
- Partner with parents in the education and development of their children.
- Help children express their relationship with God in developmentally appropriate ways.
- Reinforce Catholic Christian values taught at home.
- Create an environment of hospitality where faith and its values are molded.
Our Lady of Joy Roman Catholic School is a community which believes in:
- Every child’s unique talents and abilities
- Always following our Lord, Jesus Christ
- Growing spiritually, academically, and socially
- Learning as a life-long process
- Engaging and welcoming environment
- Service to One Another
Testimonials
Our Lady of Joy Preschool is more than a preschool. It became a family to us. It was a place filled with love, kindness, faith formation, academic excellence and the beginnings of life long friendships. We have been a part of the OLJ Preschool family for several years with our last two children. Our first two children went to two different preschools. If we had to choose all over again, all four of them would have gone to OLJ. Our children were nervous and crying the first time we dropped them off at OLJ. We were reassured that they would feel loved and comforted. I was a complete wreck and felt worried leaving them in that condition. Mrs. Snook and the teachers showed such patience, and love. They truly treat the kids like they are their own. Within a few minutes, I received a reassuring text message with my kids meeting new friends and smiling. Each day since has been all smiles! OLJ Preschool has helped our family instill our Catholic traditions and faith in my children. They developed a beautiful understanding, on their level, of the Mass, the rosary, feast days and more. Academically, my current Pre-K graduate from OLJ, is more prepared for Kindergarten than I ever imagined. The level of academics and the love of learning that the children developed is incredible. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for embracing our children, our family and creating such a rich Catholic environment for our children!!!
—The Shen Family
Joy spills out of every part of this sweet little preschool, from the teachers and staff to the way you feel while on campus! After moving across country, we immediately felt at home during our first visit. Mrs. Snook was so welcoming and quickly put us at ease. Graham is absolutely thriving in the classroom environment. Mrs. Burgess implements meaningful, engaging and age-appropriate activities for the students. She is always so cheerful! Mrs. Snook and the teachers take the time to get to know the students and have a genuine love for teaching. It is an absolute blessing to know my child spends his days in a loving, caring community rooted in our Catholic Faith.
—The Tranter Family
We can’t say enough about how wonderful our experience has been at Our Lady of Joy Preschool. Our daughter Emma attended for 3 years (age 3 through Pre K) and our son Jack has spent the last 3 years there as well (also age 3 through Pre K). Emma started Kindergarten at the top of her class and has excelled at Annunciation Catholic school, partly due to her early education she received at Our Lady of Joy. Jack is also very well prepared to start Kindergarten in the fall this year. We feel very blessed that both of our children got the opportunity to attend Our Lady of Joy. Every teacher we had along the way was fantastic and the preschool community really became like family to us. The children also loved learning about the Catholic faith and that was especially important to us. We really feel that Our Lady of Joy Preschool taught our children to love school and love learning!
—The Lewis Family
Ella has thrived academically, socially, and spiritually as a student of Our Lady of Joy Preschool. Her teacher was in constant communication with us, keeping us informed about the class curriculum each week, and suggesting ways to reinforce the learning process in our home. The staff at Our Lady of Joy is also amazing; they are a true Catholic Community. As parishioners, we are blessed to have the opportunity to send our children to a school that is building the Catholic foundation that will allow our children to excel in all aspects of life.
—The Cupo Family
This year, our third grade class at Annunciation scored in the 99th percentile on a national standardized test; our second grade scored in the 94th percentile. Over a third of these students attended at Our Lady of Joy Catholic School.
At Annunciation I am eager to enroll students who have graduated from the OLJ program, since I know the Director, Mrs. Snook shares my philosophy about what children need to ensure a lifetime of success. The OLJ program upholds high academic standards, instills a true love of learning and develops a strong foundation in the faith.
Their small class sizes and top notch accredited teachers mean each child gets the attention they need. OLJ graduates come to us reading above grade level and demonstrating the foundation necessary to make good moral decisions. The OLJ graduates at Annunciation also exhibit a strong sense of compassion and social awareness, a result of the many stewardship opportunities provided during their early years at OLJ.
Sincerely,
Principal Dr. Sharon Pristash
