Saint James Preschool Program

Adding a review because I can't believe St. James has anything less than 5 stars!! St. James is an amazing school. It was a good fit for our family because we wanted to ease our kids into structured school program. We started our son/daughter at 2.5 yrs and they went for 3 half days. Over time we bumped them up to 5 days full with a few steps in between. The class sizes are small and the teachers are well educated in early learning. The administration is great, they run a tight ship and are on top of everything. Further, many parents have told me how prepared their kindergarteners were school.

Our youngest son has been going to St James Preschool for years and he loves it. It is a wonderful, nurturing environment, and the teachers are top notch. We looked at other pre-K programs in Montclair, and the facility, class size, student to teacher ratio, and quality of learning at St James were the main factors in our decision to enroll our child. We have not been disappointed at all, and he actually misses his friends and is a little sad on "non school days." We love the program so much that our daughter will be enrolling in September 2024. Ria Wolff, the Director, is wonderful. Ashley Scavetta and Mrs. LaMorges are great. Erin Edwards, the Asst Director is also such a great staff member. We can't say enough positive things about St. James.

My son attended St. James Preschool for 3 years and he had a wonderful experience. The reason why I love St. James compared to other programs in our area are the following: 1. Large indoor space/gym for the children to play due to bad weather 2. Small classroom sizes: 13-15 kids max in each class 3. Wonderful outdoor playground; shaded by trees, surrounded by shrubs and flowers, perfect size playground equipment for age level to both challenge and give confidence, natural wood chips as opposed to rubber synthetic material, hearing the church bells ringing 4. All classrooms are street level and not in a basement 5. The children get to take music class with the talented Mr. Price in the beautiful church - feels very special 6. Across from the Fire Station: a little boy's dream! Above all else, the teachers and faculty are caring, patient, loving and engaging with your child. Our son loved going to school everyday because he loved his seeing teachers who fostered a fun environment to play, learn and grow. The projects are creative, engaging and the teachers really meet your child at their level. I'm really happy this was his first school experience because they have prepared him well for Kindergarten and really made his preschool years magical. Ria, the director, has enlisted a dedicated group of teachers who love what they do and it shows. Thank you! Ria, Erin, and Betty Lou manage the school wonderfully and it's a well oiled machine. They are all communicative and quick to respond to any inquiry.

We couldn't be happier with our experience at St. James Preschool. From the moment we stepped through the doors, it was evident that this wasn't just a place for childcare; it was a nurturing environment where learning and growth flourish. The teachers are AMAZING. Their dedication, patience, and passion for early childhood education shine through in everything they do. Our little one comes home every day bursting with stories about all the fun stuff they've been up to, from painting masterpieces to exploring nature with their friends. St. James has exceeded our expectations in every way. It's more than just a preschool; it's a community where children thrive and families feel supported. THANK YOU St. James!!!!

St James is a wonderful place. The staff is super kind, nurturing, and communicative. My son is thriving there and he's made so many great friends. He can't wait to tell me what he's learned at the end of the day. I can't recommend this school enough.