Welcome to St. Mary's Preschool

Located at:

St. Mary's Villa

73 Weybridge Street

Middlebury, VT  05753

Telephone: (802) 388-2114

St. Mary’s School exists to provide an educational setting in which the students will be encouraged to nourish their God-given curiosity in a way that will be informed by Catholic values.

The preschool program at St. Mary's was established in September 2001. It is housed in the Villa on Weybridge Street in Middlebury, Vermont; the former home of the Sisters of Mercy who taught at St. Mary's School. The first floor was remodeled to accommodate an early education program for children between the ages of three and five years of age.

Approach To Learning

By responding to the children's interests, needs, and levels of skills, Preschool teachers are opening the doors of learning for their students. Through purposeful planning in each domain of development and through a balance of teacher-initiated and child-initiated activities, St. Mary's Preschoolers learn, practice, and master essential skills that form the foundations of their lifelong academic journeys.

Children Learn Through Play

At St. Mary's Preschool we believe that play is a child's work. The value of child-directed play, indoors and out, cannot be overstated. Through positive play experiences with others, children strengthen self esteem and confidence. Play opportunities that are hands-on, concrete and relevant to preschoolers lives are provided throughout the day at St. Mary's Preschool. These play opportunities may be child-created and directed, teacher facilitated and/or teacher created, based on child' s interests and skills.

Practicing Traditional Catholic Values

It is the purpose of St. Mary's Preschool to provide a warm, caring environment in which students feel free to be themselves. Through modeling, practicing, and reading and discussing stories from the bible, children develop Catholic beliefs, values and attitudes. The children are encouraged to view themselves as children of God, members of loving families, and to respect and care for others as they begin to live out our school motto "Integrity for Life."

Assessment of Development

Twice each school year (in the fall and in the spring) students’ development is noted using a “Developmental Checklist of Skills.”  These checklists, derived from the Vermont Early Learning Standards, are used to inform families of their child’s development and achievements and to inform teacher instruction and curriculum planning. The following eight areas of development are addressed through the use of these documents:

   1. Approaches to Learning

   2. Social and Emotional Development

   3. Language, Literacy & Communication

   4. Mathematics

   5. Science

   6. Social Studies

   7. Creative Expression

   8. Physical Health & Development

Preschool Staff

Sara Audy is the Program Director at St. Mary’s Preschool.  She has a Bachelors of Science degree in Early Childhood Development and Education from the University of Vermont.  She has spent nine years teaching at St. Mary’s School and is currently working on earning a Master’s Degree from the College of St. Joseph.

For Enrollment Information or to Schedule a Tour Contact:

"Mrs. Z" at St. Mary's School

86 Shannon Street

Middlebury, VT  05753

Telephone: (802) 388-8392

Fax: (802) 388-8392

Email: joycez@saintmarysvt.org