Our Preschool and Prekindergarten Programs
Engaging the minds of our youngest students to set them on a path for learning!
Aquinas Catholic Schools is excited to offer Preschool (3P) and Prekindergarten (4K) programs for our three and four-year-old children at TWO locations: St. Patrick Elementary School located in Onalaska and Cathedral Elementary School located in La Crosse. Our programs are centered on developing well-rounded students who will be ready to succeed in school and life. Our primary focus is to cultivate positive relationships, build independence, focus on social-emotional growth, incorporate movement daily, and foster spiritual growth. We give students opportunities to use discovery, exploration, and appropriate risk-taking while encouraging creativity, questioning, dreaming, imitating, and sharing.
We strive to provide a positive learning experience and foster a love of learning that our students will carry with them for their entire school career. We are dedicated to creating a safe environment that allows all the children to enjoy school, gain confidence, and become well-rounded individuals.
ADVANTAGES OF AQUINAS CATHOLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL & PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS
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A positive approach to spiritual, intellectual, social, and behavioral development.
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Superior educational foundation aligned with a well-rounded curriculum.
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4K program includes classes in Art, Music, Physical Education, and Library.
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Small class size (1:14 student ratio).
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Licensed teachers.
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Development of independence and self-confidence.
PROGRAM OPTIONS
CATHEDRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - LACROSSE
3-Year-Old Half-Day Preschool (3P)
(2-5 days/week for 3-year-olds)
3-year-old preschool is held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
A child can be enrolled for the following days:
M-F, M/W/F, or T/TH.
4-Year-Old Half-Day Kindergarten (4K)
(5 days/week for 4-year-olds)
4-year-old kindergarten is held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
Monday thru Friday.
5-Year-Old Kindergarten (5K)
(5 days/week for 5-year-olds)
Full-day kindergarten is held from 8:00 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.
Monday thru Friday.
ADD-ON OPTIONS
Morning Drop off for 3P – grade 2 begins at 7:15 a.m. Early drop off helps to accommodate families who may need an earlier start time in their day or have other children enrolled at Aquinas Catholic Schools. Students may also be dropped off at Blessed Sacrament School beginning at 6:30 a.m. A hot breakfast is available for purchase. Any Cathedral students are then bussed to Cathedral at 7:25 a.m. daily.
After Care for 3P – grade 2 (3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
Aftercare is available for those families who need a later
pick-up time, or who have other children enrolled at Aquinas Catholic Schools. Fees are dependent upon the number of children and their pick-up time each day. Families may use aftercare as best fits their needs and are charged only for those days used.
Extended Care for 3P & 4K (10:50 a.m.- 2:50 p.m.)
Cathedral school offers a nurturing extended care program for those children who need care for the entire day. This program, paired with our 3P and 4K programs, helps students learn to be comfortable away from home and allows students more opportunities to engage with peers and staff. Extended Care is an additional daily fee. Families may utilize extended care as best fits their needs and are charged only for those days used.
PROGRAM OPTIONS
ST. PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - ONALASKA
Half-Day 3-year-old Preschool (3P)
(2-5 days/week for 3-year-olds)
Half-day preschool is held from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
For the 3-year-old program, you can enroll your child for the following days either M-F, T/W/TH, or T/TH.
Half-Day 4-Year-Old Kindergarten (4K)
(5 days/week for 4-year-olds)
Half-day kindergarten is held M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or Noon to 3:00 p.m.
5-Year-Old Kindergarten (5K)
(5 days/week for 5-year-olds)
Full-day kindergarten is held M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
ADD-ON OPTIONS
Early drop off for 3P - grade 6 starts at 7:00 a.m.
Early drop off is offered to accommodate families who may need an earlier start time or have other children enrolled in Aquinas Catholic Schools.
Morning Surround Care for 4K
(8:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)
Morning Surround care is for children attending p.m.
4-Year-Old Kindergarten. Students can join morning walk and may be dropped off between 7:00 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. Students will join morning walk held outside on the lower lot or in the gym during cold and inclement weather. At 7:40 a.m., students will be walked up to the preschool classrooms. A morning snack is provided.
Afternoon Surround Care for 3P & 4K
(11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
Afternoon Surround Care is for children attending a.m.
3-Year-Old Preschool or 4-Year-Old Kindergarten. After dismissing from morning programs, children will eat lunch. After lunch, children have a rest/nap time followed by an activity. An afternoon snack will be provided.
Aftercare for 3P - grade 6 (3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.)
Aftercare is available for those families who need a later
pick-up time, or have other children enrolled at Aquinas Catholic Schools. Fees are dependent upon the number of children and their pick-up time each day. The latest pick-up time is 5:30 p.m.