At St. Mark Preschool, we focus on creating a caring community of learners, with Christ at the center of everything we do.

Our children develop positive relationships with each other and their teachers. Our teachers are warm, caring and fun, and they focus on building strong relationships with each child and family. They help children learn how to play, work together, and make friends. The teachers plan activities so that all children can join in and include every child's family, language, and culture in the program.

At St. Mark’s Preschool, we teach to support your children's development and learning.

Teachers set up the classroom, choose materials, and plan activities that support children's learning. They also provide materials and activities that interest children and challenge them. They encourage children's efforts by making specific comments.  The staff set clear limits for children's behavior and explain the reasons.  Using positive reinforcement and conscious discipline, children feel safe and secure in our preschool classrooms!

At St. Mark’s Preschool, we plan and adapt our curriculum to our students.

Our preschool curriculum is based on what most preschoolers should know and be able to do. Using the Illinois Early Learning Standards, teachers plan and adapt their play  based curriculum to help children learn and grow by setting learning goals for children that are challenging but achievable with help. We balance group activities and instruction guided by the teacher with activities children choose themselves. Our students have enough time to get deeply involved in activities and learning, never being rushed through their work. Our teachers pay attention to and support children's interests, skills, and knowledge.  Using themes, teachers plan learning opportunities in literacy, math, stem, sensory, art, music, and physical movement.

At St. Mark’s Preschool, we assess children's development and learning

Through regular assessment, our teachers understand what each child knows and can do. This helps inform which materials, activities, and experiences will further children on their learning path. Our teachers assess children's learning and development through work sampling, photo documentation, notes, and frequent assessments.

At St. Mark’s Preschool, we strive to develop relationships with families.

Our teachers want to build trusting relationships with families. They know that you are the most important people in your child's life. Teachers partner with families by listening to families' goals and concerns for their children and encouraging families to participate in our school and parish. We have a profound respect for each family and its language and culture and strive to meet each family in a loving way.  We work hard to find ways to communicate in a family's home language and support our students in their language development.

At St. Mark’s Preschool, we help guide our children in their faith development.

Our preschool has a wonderful opportunity to help each child encounter the love of Christ.  Knowing that all children are spiritual and curious about that spirituality, we strive to model our faith and introduce concepts of our faith to our students.  Through our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd practice, our students can begin their journey through prayer and contemplation.  Our Atrium is where our students are introduced to praying, the bible, our rich Catholic heritage, traditions, and beliefs, and Christ and His everlasting love for each of us.