At St. Paul Lutheran School, we understand how significant finding a good kindergarten is for your family. Our kindergarten program is designed to give children a strong academic foundation while nurturing their spiritual, emotional, and social growth in a Christian atmosphere where love and joy are a genuine part of daily life. With over 100 years of educational excellence in downtown Royal Oak, small class sizes that allow for truly individualized instruction, and a dedicated kindergarten teacher who is passionate about shaping young learners, St. Paul offers one of the best kindergarten experiences available to families in Oakland County.

What Makes Our Kindergarten Program Different

Many parents begin their search for kindergarten programs by looking at curriculum checklists and comparing schedules. Those things matter, but they only tell part of the story. What truly distinguishes a private kindergarten from a public one is the environment in which that learning takes place. 

At St. Paul, our kindergarten is part of a preschool through 8th grade school where every subject is taught in a Christian atmosphere. This means your kindergartener is learning in a community that reinforces kindness, respect, faith, and service every single day. These are the qualities that help children thrive not just academically, but as whole human beings.

The curriculum and course of study at St. Paul meet the requirements of the State of Michigan, and quality education is the standard in all subject areas. Your child will never fall behind their peers at other schools; in fact, the individualized attention and rigorous expectations at St. Paul often mean that students are ahead.

A Rigorous, Well-Rounded Kindergarten Curriculum

Our kindergarten curriculum covers the full range of subjects that build a strong academic foundation. Rather than focusing narrowly on a few skills, we believe kindergarteners benefit from a broad and balanced approach that engages their curiosity across multiple disciplines.

Core Subject Areas

The kindergarten program includes instruction across the following areas:

1. Religion — worship, Bible study, salvation history, and memory work that introduce children to God's Word and help them develop a personal relationship with their faith from the very start of their school experience.
2. Language Arts — reading, phonics, English, spelling, handwriting, and creative writing. Kindergarteners build the literacy skills that serve as the foundation for every other subject, learning to decode words, express ideas in writing, and fall in love with stories and literature.
3. Mathematics — use of numbers, geometry, measurement, and early conceptual thinking. Students develop number sense, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills through both structured lessons and hands-on exploration.
4. Social Studies — geography, history, and early exposure to current events and Michigan history, helping children understand the community and world around them.
5. Science — general science and health topics that encourage observation, questioning, and a sense of wonder about the natural world.
6. Fine Arts — music, art, and drama that foster creativity, self-expression, and the confidence to share ideas with others.
7. Physical Education — individual and team activities, motor skill development, and recreation that support healthy growth and give children a productive outlet for their energy.

This isn't a watered-down version of what older students learn. It's a developmentally appropriate, carefully sequenced introduction to each discipline, taught by an educator who understands how kindergarteners think, learn, and grow.

Music From Day One

One of the unique advantages of kindergarten at St. Paul is that students begin participating in the school's exceptional music program right away. Under the direction of our Minister of Music, Mr. Greg Paul, kindergarteners study general music once a week. This early exposure to rhythm, melody, singing, and musical concepts has been shown to support language development, memory, and coordination. 

As students grow, the music program expands to include band, handbell choir, and an auditioned select choir, but it all begins in kindergarten with a weekly class that builds a foundation of musical literacy and a joy for creative expression.

Small Class Sizes and Individualized Attention

When parents evaluate the best kindergarten options, class size is often one of the most important factors. In a smaller classroom, your child is never just a face in the crowd. They receive the kind of individualized instruction that allows their teacher to understand their specific strengths, identify areas where they need support, and adjust lessons to meet them exactly where they are.

At St. Paul, smaller classes ensure that every student receives the help and encouragement they need to achieve their full potential. This commitment to individualized attention means that:

• Children who are ready for more advanced material can be challenged without waiting for the rest of the class to catch up.
• Students who need additional support in a particular area receive it promptly, before small gaps become larger obstacles.
• Every child gets regular, meaningful interaction with their teacher — not just during instruction, but during the transitions, conversations, and quiet moments that build trust and confidence.
• Parents stay closely connected to what's happening in the classroom, with a level of communication and partnership that larger schools simply can't match.

This kind of environment is especially valuable during the kindergarten year, when children are forming their foundational beliefs about what school is and whether they belong there. A child who feels known, valued, and supported in kindergarten carries that confidence into every grade that follows.

Meet Your Child's Kindergarten Teacher

The person leading your child's classroom matters enormously, and at St. Paul, our kindergarten teacher brings both professional qualifications and a deep personal commitment to her students. Mrs. Miranda Lorence earned her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Baker College and is currently working toward her graduate degree at Oakland University. Her ongoing investment in her own education reflects the same growth mindset she cultivates in her students.

When asked about the most inspiring part of her work, Mrs. Lorence describes the opportunity to impact the lives of children and mold the foundation of their education. That sense of purpose is evident in her classroom every day, where students are encouraged to ask questions, try new things, and discover what they're capable of in an environment that celebrates effort as much as achievement.

Behind Mrs. Lorence is a faculty and staff team with remarkable depth and experience. When your kindergartener moves into 1st grade, they'll transition to Mrs. Christina Eising, who holds a B.A. in Education from Concordia University, Ann Arbor and a Master's in Learning Disabilities from Wayne State University. T

A Foundation That Grows Through 8th Grade

One of the most compelling reasons to choose a private kindergarten at St. Paul is the knowledge that your child can remain in this same nurturing, high-quality environment through 8th grade. There's no need to navigate a new school transition in 1st grade, or again in middle school. 

The K–8 curriculum expands naturally from the kindergarten foundation, adding complexity and rigor in every subject area as students mature. By middle school, students have access to advanced coursework, athletic opportunities through a partnership with St. Mary in Royal Oak for after-school sports, and an expanded music program that includes beginning and advanced band, handbell choir, and select choir. All of this grows from the seeds planted in that very first kindergarten year.

St. Paul Lutheran School equips children for a life of service with a foundation of academic, physical, spiritual, and social maturity centered around Jesus Christ. That mission begins the moment your kindergartener walks through the door.

Affordable Tuition and Flexible Options

We believe that access to a high-quality, faith-based kindergarten education shouldn't be limited by finances alone. St. Paul Lutheran School has many options available to make your child's Christian education affordable, and we encourage families to visit our tuition and fees page to download the current rate schedule. Our team is happy to walk you through the options and help you find the path that works for your family's budget.

The school has been welcoming both church families and non-members for over a century, and our commitment to accessibility is as strong today as it was when the school opened its doors in 1916 with just eleven students. Contact us to start a conversation about tuition and enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age does my child need to be to start kindergarten?

Children entering kindergarten should meet the age requirements established by the State of Michigan. If you have questions about whether your child is ready, we encourage you to schedule a meeting with our school office to discuss placement and readiness.

Do I need to be a member of the church to enroll my child?

No. St. Paul has served both church families and non-members for over 100 years. All families who value academic excellence and Christian education are welcome to apply regardless of church affiliation.

What does the admissions process look like?

Enrollment begins with three steps: schedule a meeting by calling 248-546-6555, submit a New Student Application along with placement testing, and finalize registration with completed enrollment forms and registration fees. You can find more details on our admissions page.

Can my child start in kindergarten if they didn't attend St. Paul's preschool?

Absolutely. While many kindergarteners transition directly from our preschool program, we welcome new families at every grade level. New students are quickly integrated into the classroom and the broader school community.

How does a private kindergarten prepare my child differently than a public one?

Private kindergarten programs like ours offer smaller class sizes, individualized instruction, values-based learning, and a continuity of environment that large public schools often cannot provide. Your child receives more personal attention, a broader curriculum that includes faith education, and the benefit of being known and supported by every adult in the building.

Schedule a Tour Today

The best way to understand what kindergarten at St. Paul looks like is to visit. We welcome you to tour our campus, meet Mrs. Lorence, see the classrooms, and experience the warmth of our school community firsthand. Contact us today to schedule your visit, or call our school office at 248-546-6555. We look forward to welcoming your family and helping your child take this exciting first step.