Pre-Kindergarten

Where Faith, Curiosity, and Joy Take Root

Our mission is “To educate children to be joyous, loving, and Christ-centered people capable of serving others and bettering the world.”

At St. Anthony School, we are committed to forming the whole child in mind, body, and spirit. Guided by Gospel values and the teachings of the Catholic Church, we nurture faith, inspire academic excellence, and cultivate compassionate, responsible learners. Our Pre-K program lives out this mission each day by fostering a loving, inclusive community where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to grow in faith, curiosity, and character.

At St. Anthony Pre-K in Renton, our program is thoughtfully designed by experienced early childhood educators who understand that young children grow and learn in beautifully different ways. We believe that even our youngest learners are capable of deep thinking, meaningful questions, and joyful discovery.

Grounded in our Catholic values, we nurture the whole child—mind, body, heart, and spirit—while creating a learning environment that is responsive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate.

Mission in Action

In our Pre-K classrooms, St. Anthony’s mission comes to life each day in ways that are both meaningful to families and aligned with Archdiocese of Seattle and NCEA accreditation expectations. Children experience simple daily prayer, learn Gospel-based values such as kindness, respect, and responsibility, and are guided to care for themselves, one another, and their environment.

Teachers intentionally support social-emotional development, independence, and a love of learning through developmentally appropriate practices. Through play, reflection, and guided exploration, children grow academically while deepening their understanding of God’s love and their role as joyful, loving, Christ-centered members of a caring community—capable of serving others and bettering the world.

Learning That Grows With Your Child

"Every day at St. Anthony Pre-K is a new adventure where faith, curiosity, and joy come together to help your child thrive."

At St. Anthony Pre-K, our classrooms are vibrant spaces filled with movement, conversation, and discovery. Children learn through hands-on experiences, meaningful play, and shared problem-solving with peers. While there is time for quiet focus and reflection, much of the learning happens through exploration, discussion, and collaboration, helping children develop curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning.

Through these experiences, children learn that there are many ways to approach a challenge and that learning is enriched by listening to others. As they work and play together, they build independence, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging within a caring, faith-centered community.

Children are naturally curious and eager to make sense of the world around them. Our teachers design purposeful learning experiences that spark curiosity, honor each child’s strengths, and support growing interests. We recognize that children of the same age develop at different paces socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, our curriculum is responsive and shaped by each child’s unique needs.

Through ongoing observation and assessment, teachers meet children where they are and gently challenge them to expand their thinking. As children grow and change, learning grows with them.

At St. Anthony Pre-K, we create a joyful, nurturing environment where every child is known, valued, and empowered. Rooted in faith, compassion, and curiosity, our program lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Every child leaves ready to thrive as a confident, Christ-centered learner prepared for life.

Faith-Filled Learning That Connects It All

Learning at St. Anthony Pre-K is intentionally integrated across all areas of development. Rather than separating subjects, children engage in experiences that naturally weave together early literacy, math, science, social-emotional learning, creativity, and faith formation.

Using themes and real-world connections as a foundation, teachers collaborate to create hands-on experiences that invite exploration and deeper understanding. Children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate ideas, and make connections that extend beyond the classroom.

A Clear Mission, Lived Daily

Choosing a Pre-K program is an important decision. Families in the Renton area have many options, including Catholic schools, public Pre-K programs, and private early learning centers. At St. Anthony Pre-K, our approach is intentionally different.

What sets us apart is the intentional integration of faith with early learning. Children do not simply learn about faith at set times; they experience Gospel values every day through kindness, problem-solving, service, and meaningful interactions.

Our teachers design experiences that invite children to ask questions, explore ideas, and develop independence, all while grounding learning in compassion, respect, and gratitude. Every activity and routine reflects our mission: “To educate children to be joyous, loving, and Christ-centered people capable of serving others and bettering the world.”

Unlike many programs that focus mainly on academic readiness or childcare needs, St. Anthony Pre-K prioritizes faith formation, character development, and joyful learning together, giving children a foundation that supports their growth academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

A Strong Start That Lasts

As an NCEA‑aligned program within the Archdiocese of Seattle, St. Anthony Pre‑K provides a strong foundation for Kindergarten and beyond. Children leave our program confident, curious, and prepared, not only academically, but socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Families choose St. Anthony Pre‑K because they want more than readiness skills. They want a place where their child is known, loved, challenged, and formed in faith from the very beginning.

Pre-K Program Director / Lead Teacher	Pre-K Instructional Aide
Ms. Gloria	Mrs. Alvarez

For information about applying for Pre-K, please email [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St. Anthony Pre-K different?

At St. Anthony Pre-K, we educate the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. Our program blends strong early academics with play-based learning and intentional faith formation. Children experience Gospel values daily through kindness, prayer, service, and respect for others, not just during religion lessons.

What is a typical day like in Pre-K?

Each day includes a balance of structured learning and play. Children participate in circle time, literacy and math activities, hands-on exploration, creative art, outdoor play, prayer, and quiet reflection. Our routines are designed to help children feel safe, confident, and joyful at school.

How is faith incorporated into the Pre-K day?

Faith is woven naturally throughout the day. Children begin and end the day with prayer, learn about Jesus through age-appropriate stories, and practice Gospel values such as kindness, sharing, forgiveness, and gratitude. We also celebrate the liturgical seasons and involve children in school-wide faith traditions.

What curriculum do you use?

We use Frog Street as our core curriculum, along with Heggerty for early phonemic awareness and Stories of God’s Love to support faith formation. While these programs guide our instruction, our teachers thoughtfully adapt and build learning experiences around the interests, strengths, and needs of the children in our classroom. This flexible approach allows learning to feel meaningful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate while still meeting important early learning goals within a nurturing, faith-centered environment.

How do you prepare children for Kindergarten?

Our Pre-K program focuses on building strong foundations in early reading, writing, math, independence, and problem-solving. Just as importantly, we help children develop confidence, self-regulation, and a love of learning—skills that matter most for long-term success in Kindergarten and beyond.

What are the class sizes?

We maintain a capacity of 20 students per class sizes to ensure each child is known, supported, and valued.

Who are the Pre-K teachers?

Our teachers are highly qualified, experienced in early childhood education, and deeply committed to our Catholic mission. They create warm, welcoming classrooms where children feel safe to explore, make mistakes, and grow.

How do you support social-emotional development and behavior?

We use positive guidance and restorative practices to help children learn how to express emotions, solve problems, and build healthy relationships. Our approach emphasizes compassion, clear expectations, and teaching children how to make good choices rooted in God's values.

How much outdoor play do children get?

Children enjoy three 30 minute outdoor play daily, weather permitting. Outdoor time supports physical development, social skills, and overall well-being. We believe movement and fresh air are essential parts of a healthy Pre-K day.

What safety measures are in place?

The safety of our students is a top priority. Our campus follows established safety procedures, secure entry practices, and health guidelines to ensure children are well cared for throughout the day.

How do teachers communicate with families?

We value strong partnerships with families. Teachers communicate regularly through newsletters, classroom updates, and conferences. We encourage open communication and believe families are an essential part of a child’s learning journey.

Are families involved in the Pre-K community?

Yes! Families are invited to participate in classroom activities, school celebrations, faith events, and community gatherings. We believe children thrive when school and home work together.

What are the enrollment requirements and next steps?

Children must meet age requirements by the designated cutoff date. Families may apply online, and enrollment is based on space availability. Our team is happy to walk you through the application process and answer any additional questions.

We know choosing a Pre-K is an important decision. Our school tour is a wonderful opportunity to meet our teachers, explore our classrooms, and experience the caring, faith-filled environment that makes St. Anthony Pre-K so special. To arrange a tour, please email: [email protected]