There are three enrollment options for the Preschool and PreK Program:

Option 1 - All-Day Preschool / PreK Program

 8 am - 2:45 pm, Monday - Friday

$7,800/yr. ($780/mo.)*

Option 2 - All-Day Preschool / PreK Program plus After School Care

8 am - (up to) 5:15 pm Monday - Friday

$10,300/yr. ($1,030/mo.)*

Option 3 - Half-Day Preschool / PreK Program

8 am - 11:30 am Monday - Friday

$3,900/yr. ($390/mo.)*

*All options follow the September - June St. Mary School calendar. Tuition amounts shown are for ten monthly payments. See information below regarding the  Washington State Childcare Subsidy which could reduce tuition payments for families that qualify.

Families interested in learning more about the Preschool and PreK program and/or applying for admission can start the process by clicking on the "Inquire Here" button on this page. From there, families can ask questions, schedule a tour, and start the online application. In addition to the application, a non-refundable $75 registration fee and a meeting with the principal are needed to secure a student's spot in the program.

Enrollment for current St. Mary School families begins on February 11 and Open Enrollment for new families begins on March 4. Five spaces will be reserved for the half-day program until May 31,2025. After that time, any unfilled half-day spaces will be made available to any families on the waiting list for full-day spaces.

Students enrolling in the Preschool age group must be three years old by August 31.

Students enrolling in the PreK age group must be four years old by August 31.

All students must be fully potty-trained before beginning school.

The Preschool and PreK curriculum is focused on developing both academic and social/emotional skills at an age-appropriate level. The day is divided into short activities that keep students engaged and learning in a structured yet creative environment. Students will work both in a group setting as well as rotating through learning stations where they will receive more individualized instruction. Some of the areas covered include:

• Art
• Numbers / Math
• Literacy
• Dramatic Play
• Problem-Solving
• P.E.
• Music
• Religion

St. Mary School asks parents of all Preschool – 8th grade students to participate in school activities and fundraisers. There are several benefits of this policy:

• Parents have multiple opportunities to engage with other parents and with school staff, creating a support network and building friendships that often extend beyond school.
• Fundraising is an essential part of the school’s goal to keep tuition affordable, and parent volunteers are a key part of successful fundraisers.
• Seeing their parents involved at school helps students know the importance that parents place on their education, and models for them the trait of service to others.

Parents of Preschool and PreK students commit to volunteering 20 hours during the school year, in addition to participating in key fundraisers. You can view the parent participation guidelines for the current year by clicking here

The State of Washington works with licensed early learning and child care programs to help keep the cost affordable. The program that assists St. Mary School families is known as Working Connections Child Care (WCCC). Families can apply for the program online and those who qualify receive subsidized tuition. This means that rather than paying the full tuition shown above, families pay a monthly "co-pay" to St. Mary School of $0 - $165, depending on the family size and monthly income. To get an idea of the amount that your family might qualify for, you can view a simplified chart here.

To learn more about the subsidy program you can , you can visit the WCCC website or go directly to the application page at Washington Connection

Does the program run year-round?

No, the program follows the St. Mary School calendar, with classes beginning in early September and running through mid-June. In addition, there are breaks at Christmas (approximately two weeks), Spring Break (one week), and various holidays or staff in-service days. When school is not in session parents are responsible for finding other options for their students. To get an idea of a typical school schedule, you can view the current school calendar here.

Is there transportation to and from school available?

No, families are responsible for dropping off and picking up students at the school. In the past, families have made arrangements to carpool with other school families or worked with extended family members to help with transportation.

Are lunch and/or snacks provided?

A morning snack is provided to all students. Students enrolled in the all-day program will have a lunchtime and may either purchase the school lunch or bring their own lunch. A menu of school lunches will be sent home at the beginning of each month. Students in the after-scholl care program will also receive an afternoon snack.

Are there scholarships or discounts available?

There is tuition assistance available through the Washington State Childcare Subsidy for qualifying families. Under the program, families make a monthly co-payment ranging from $0 to $165 depending on the size of the family and monthly income. See the information block above for more information on the subsidy. We are happy to help guide families through the process of applying for the subsidy.

St. Mary School does not provide any scholarships or tuition assistance of its own for the early learning program.

Are students required to wear uniforms?

Yes, all students wear uniforms each day, with the exception of occasional "Free Dress" days. The uniforms include multiple options for both boys and girls. The uniform and dress code can be found here.  We also maintain an inventory of lightly used uniforms for families to take as needed and we host a "Uniform Exchange" before school starts each fall for families to bring in uniforms their students have outgrown and/ or pick up uniforms for their students.

How is faith incorporated into the curriculum / Do families have to be Catholic?

St. Mary School welcomes students of all faiths. In the Early Learning Program, students are taught about faith in an age-appropriate manner, starting with themes such as kindness, love, and sharing. Religion lessons might include bible stories and lessons, and activities such as a craft or song related to the lesson. Students also learn simple forms of prayer and how to reflect on their actions, both positive and negative.

Do students interact with older students at the school?

Preschool and PreK students have a dedicated space in the St. Mary School building and on the playground that limits their interaction with older students. When students are in spaces with older students, they are accompanied by Early Learning staff.

There are, however, opportunities for younger students to take part in schoolwide activities such as the Christmas Concert and the Oktoberfest event.