EXCEPTIONAL PRESCHOOL EDUCATION
in the Episcopal Tradition
St. Michael’s Episcopal Preschool in Mandeville, LA, is a place for children to learn, explore, wonder, question and share. We foster the social, physical, intellectual, spiritual and emotional development of each child in a nurturing, Christian environment. The preschool is operated by St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, providing exceptional education and care in the Episcopal tradition. Our curriculum is designed to motivate and stimulate young minds in preparation for kindergarten and to cultivate a love of learning to last a lifetime.
OUR HISTORY
Where Children Learn and Play in a Loving, Christian Environment
Since 1996, St. Michael’s Episcopal Preschool in Mandeville, LA, has offered outstanding academics and kindergarten preparation. Our school provides a loving, safe environment for children taking their first steps away from home, preparing them academically, socially, and spiritually for their educational journey. With a strong curriculum, variety of enrichment activities for children, low child/faculty ratios and impeccable facilities indoors and out, St. Michael’s delivers an unparalleled early learning experience.
St. Michael’s offers full-day preschool for children aged 18 months to 5 years and summer camp for 2- to 5-year-olds. Our half-day program accommodates children from 12 months through age 3. Age groups are based on a child’s age as of September 30. A child must be 18 months old by August 1 to be enrolled in the preschool and 12 months old by September 1 for the half-day program.
Our school is a place of many experiences, where children discover self in relation to others and to the environment. We operate on the premise that each of us has unique gifts to share. The curriculum includes reading and writing readiness, math readiness, large and small motor skills activities, daily prayer and pledge of allegiance, chapel time twice weekly, art, Spanish and music classes weekly, and indoor and outdoor play. The preschool year begins in early August and runs through May, closely following the St. Tammany Parish Public School calendar for holidays and other school closures. Registration begins mid-January and runs until school begins. We encourage all perspective parents and guardians to schedule a tour during school hours.
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OUR STAFF
The faculty and staff of St. Michael’s are all experienced in preschool education and continue to improve their skills through professional seminars and training throughout the year. All are trained in CPR, child and sexual abuse issues and safe food handling. The 3–4-year-old classes have a student/staff ratio of 7:1; the 2-year-old groups have a ratio of 5:1.
EMILY SONTAG
HEAD OF SCHOOL
The staff of St. Michael’s Episcopal Preschool is led by Head of School Emily Sontag. Emily joined the St. Michael’s team in May 2024 with more than 15 years of experience in early childhood and elementary education at parochial schools in the New Orleans area. She is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in early childhood education from the American College of Education. Emily and her husband Jonathan moved to Mandeville in 2023 after their twin children, Kyle and Taylor Ann, went away to college. Emily is a cradle Episcopalian and active member of St. Michael’s Church. She is delighted to be a part of St. Michael’s Episcopal Preschool and looks forward to connecting with the students and families.
DIANNE RANDAZZO ROSER
OFFICE MANAGER
Dianne joined St. Michael’s Episcopal Preschool as Office Manager in July 2014. Prior to that, she worked as a pre-kindergarten assistant for eight years at Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic School in Mandeville, LA. Dianne has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Loyola University. She has one daughter, Hannah, and two Shetland Sheepdogs and a small parrot. Dianne enjoys cooking, reading, and walking the dogs.
OUR CAMPUS
We share an 12-acre campus with St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Mandeville
The preschool shares an 12-acre campus with St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Mandeville. Our 17 classrooms and five outdoor playgrounds are surrounded by piney woods. To ensure the security of our children, all doors are locked, with keypad codes, and 32 camera monitoring the halls, classrooms, and playgrounds.