St. Paul Lutheran School and Preschool sits on Williams Street in downtown Royal Oak, a short drive up Woodward Avenue from Pleasant Ridge, Michigan. We have served families in this community for more than 100 years, welcoming both church members and families with no connection to our congregation. Our preschool is the starting point of that journey, and it is built for children ages three and four who are ready to learn, play, and grow in a setting where faith is part of the ordinary school day.
A Christian Preschool Built Around the Whole Child
St. Paul Lutheran Preschool partners with parents in educating children by teaching the Christian faith in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and the Confessions of the Lutheran Church. We teach secular subjects following the Early Childhood Standards of the State of Michigan, so your child is prepared academically while also being nurtured spiritually.
Our program is designed to concentrate on the whole child rather than on a single set of academic benchmarks. Early childhood is a season of rapid development in many directions at once, and our curriculum reflects that reality.
Six Areas of Growth
We encourage learning across six connected areas:
- Social: working with others and participating in group activities
- Emotional: expressing feelings and demonstrating awareness of others' feelings
- Physical: participating in fine and large motor activities
- Language: expressing oneself through oral and written language
- Cognitive: counting, naming, and thinking conceptually
- Spiritual: developing faith and learning about God's Word
These areas are not taught as separate subjects. A single morning might involve a Bible story, a counting game, a shared snack that requires patience and turn-taking, and time outside working on balance and coordination. That integration is intentional. Young children learn best when growth happens naturally across the day rather than in isolated blocks.
Small Classes and Individual Attention
One of the most common reasons families in the area choose a private early childhood program is the promise of individual attention. At St. Paul, that promise is measurable rather than aspirational. Our staff-to-child ratios are low by design, which means teachers have the time to observe, redirect, encourage, and celebrate each child individually.
Your child will benefit from our individualized instruction and one-on-one attention. Our staff-to-child ratios are:
- Three-year-olds: one teacher for every eight children
- Four-year-olds: one teacher for every ten children
Small numbers change the texture of a classroom. A teacher who is responsible for eight children can notice that a child is quieter than usual, can sit beside a child struggling with scissors, and can build a relationship with parents at pickup rather than managing a crowd. For families seeking early childhood education options near Pleasant Ridge, this level of attention is often the deciding factor.
Learning Through Play and Hands-On Discovery
Our child-centered, play-based curriculum allows for many hands-on, memorable learning experiences. We strive to prepare children through hands-on activities and a developmentally appropriate curriculum, which means the work matches where each child actually is rather than where a chart says they should be.
Learning at St. Paul involves all the senses: tasting, touching, smelling, listening, and seeing. Children explore materials, ask questions, make messes, and try again. A play-based approach is sometimes misunderstood as a lack of academic rigor, but the opposite is true in early childhood. Purposeful play is how three- and four-year-olds build vocabulary, develop early number sense, practice self-regulation, and learn the social skills that make kindergarten possible.
Meet Our Preschool Leadership
Mrs. Blythe MacKinder serves as our Preschool Director and lead teacher in the four-year-old classroom. She is an alumnus of St. Paul School and a member of our church, and she completed her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts at Wayne State University before finishing the educational credits required to be a lead teacher in the preschool program. She is currently working toward a second bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.
Her twin daughters attend St. Paul Lutheran School, and her young son will be joining soon. When asked what inspires her most about her work, she points to watching the children in her class grow in vocabulary, actions, emotions, and especially in their love of Jesus.
You can read more about our teachers and staff on our faculty and staff page.
A Preschool That Leads Somewhere
Many preschool programs end at age five and send families back into the search process. St. Paul is different. Our preschool is the front door to a full Kindergarten through Grade 8 program in the same building, with the same values and many of the same familiar faces.
That continuity matters more than parents sometimes expect. A child who moves from our four-year-old classroom into kindergarten already knows the hallways, the gym, the music room, and the adults who greet her each morning. Families who continue with us find:
- Small class sizes throughout the elementary and middle school years
- A curriculum that meets the requirements of the State of Michigan across religion, language arts, social studies, science, mathematics, fine arts, and physical education
- A strong music program, including general music for younger grades and band beginning in fifth grade
- After-school clubs and athletic opportunities through our partnership with St. Mary in Royal Oak
Practical Support for Working Families
Faith and academics matter, but so does logistics. Families commuting from Oakland County communities need a schedule that works with real jobs and real traffic on Woodward.
St. Paul offers extended care beginning at 7:00 AM and after-school extended care until 6:00 PM. This gives parents flexibility on both ends of the day without arranging separate childcare in another location.
We also take safety seriously. Over the past two years, our entire school staff has completed two dedicated training sessions on best practices regarding student and staff safety in a variety of situations.
Tuition, Financial Aid, and Discounts
We believe a Christian education should be within reach for families who want it. St. Paul Lutheran School has several options available to make Christian education more affordable, and we are glad to talk openly about cost before you commit to anything.
Ways we help families manage tuition include:
- Financial aid for qualifying families, with applications accepted in mid-spring and awards communicated in late May or early June
- Tuition discounts for families enrolling more than one child
- A choice of several payment schedules rather than a single lump sum
- A $500 referral discount for a new family, plus the same discount for the family who referred them
Current rates are available on our tuition and fees page. Once you have the schedule in hand, reach out and we will walk you through the options that apply to your situation.
How to Get Started
Enrolling is a straightforward process, and it begins with a conversation rather than paperwork.
- Call the school office at 248-546-6555 to schedule a meeting and a tour of the preschool classrooms.
- Submit a New Student Application along with the required enrollment documentation.
- Finalize registration by completing enrollment forms, submitting registration fees, and enrolling in FACTS.
We recommend starting with a tour. Photos and program descriptions only go so far. Standing in the doorway of a classroom while children are actually working, singing, and playing tells you far more about whether a school fits your family. You can also learn more about admissions before you call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages does the preschool serve?
Our preschool serves three-year-olds and four-year-olds in separate classrooms with age-appropriate ratios and curriculum.
Do we need to be members of St. Paul Lutheran Church to enroll?
No. St. Paul has served both church families and non-member families for over 100 years. Families of many backgrounds are welcome here.
How far is the school from Pleasant Ridge?
St. Paul is located at 508 Williams Street in downtown Royal Oak, a short drive from Pleasant Ridge along the Woodward corridor. Many families make the trip as part of their normal commute.
Is before-school and after-school care available for preschoolers?
Yes. Extended care is available in the morning starting at 7:00 AM and in the afternoon until 6:00 PM.
Does St. Paul offer summer camps or summer preschool?
We do not currently run summer programs or camps, since the school building is not air conditioned. Our programming runs during the traditional school year.
How do I find out what tuition costs?
Visit our tuition and fees page to request the current rate schedule, then contact the office to discuss financial aid, sibling discounts, and payment plan options.
Schedule a Visit
The best way to know whether a preschool is right for your child is to stand in the room while it is happening. Visit on a school morning and watch how our teachers speak to the children.
Call 248-546-6555 or contact us to schedule your tour. You can also read more about St. Paul Royal Oak to learn about our history and mission.