New Preschool Hopes 'Faith-Based' Program Draws More Students

No one knew why Transfiguration Catholic School never offered a preschool. So now they do.

The school and church launched its first preschool program this fall. The new preschool currently has 23 children enrolled, with interest from two additional children enrolling in January, said Amy Bly, the preschool's director and lead teacher.

Before moving forward, the church conducted a survey of families in the church last year regarding potential interest in a preschool. 

"They had 35 people repond witha big, 'Yes, we should have one,'" Bly said. "Many of them said they would have had their children attend Transfiguration's preschool if they had had one." 

Bly said she heard about Transfiguration Catholic School's new preschool through the grape vine and saw it as an opportunity to build a school up from the bottom. Bly was the former preschool director at Children's Way Preschool in Shoreview.

"There's obviously a need here and it's a new adventure for me and my family," Bly said.

Classes are offered Monday-Wednesday-Friday for 4 and 5-year-old children and classes for 3 and 4-year-old children are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Bly said that enrollment is low since the program is new, but hopes the faith-based education will draw new families.

"Right now we're looking at building enrollment, but obviously our big dream would be to expand even more," Bly said. 

Sign up for Oakdale Patch's free e-newsletter | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter