We strive to help our children become disciples of the Church, active witnesses of their faith and to form leaders who share the rewards of religious and academic study, so that they may praise God, bless the world, and preach the truth. Teachers and staff partner with the parents, who are the primary educators of their children, to instruct students in an atmosphere of cooperation that embraces individual differences and cultural diversity and traditions. Through a Christ centered program, influenced by the spirit of St. Dominic through the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, we provide opportunities for students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to meet the demands of the present, while preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow.

embraces the developmental theory of education of the young child in the following ways:

• Develops an awareness and personal relationship with God. Students are taught that each one of them is a unique gift and loved by God, worthy of respect.
• Provides a curriculum that exposes the student to new learning experiences, motivates students to use and develop their intellectual abilities, and encourages students to value and appreciate their own and others’ creative abilities.
• Provides the students the opportunity for social and emotional growth by fostering the ability to interact with each other in a Christian manner and being able to identify and cope with personal feelings with self and others. Learn to accept responsibility for their actions.
• Allows children to attain maximum physical growth by using large and small motor skills. Educates students to care, appreciate, and respect their bodies as a gift from God.
• Forms the foundation of intellectual skills that will facilitate future learning. Instill in the child the desire to be lifelong learners.
• Provides parents with the opportunity to be actively involved with the early years of learning.
• Provides for the experience to develop Catholic Christian morals, practices and beliefs through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

The pre-school curriculum is implemented to meet the academic and creative needs of each child while giving opportunities for spiritual, intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and aesthetic growth and development. The curriculum supports the developmental philosophy and the schoolwide learning expectations, which are exemplified in the daily lessons. The curriculum is planned for the development of the whole child and is monitored and modified throughout the school year to meet the needs of the students. Teachers are aware of individual weaknesses, and they integrate opportunities within their lessons for individual and overall classroom improvement. In doing this, the teachers encourage creativity, fun, self-expression, critical thinking, and imagination for students to create ideas and solutions on their own.

The pre-school curriculum is developmental, theme based, and organized monthly. Liturgical colors are also represented for lesson planning purposes. Differentiated activities are integrated into the curriculum and teachers design lesson plans that are age-appropriate, according to the developmental standards as set by the California Preschool Learning Foundations and supported by the California Preschool Curriculum Frameworks. The classrooms are divided into centers that reflect the learning that is expected. The Learning Centers evolve as the curriculum and educational needs of the children change.