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Little Lions

In 2018, St. Rose's Garden Preschool moved its classes into St. Mary's Catholic School, and now we are one big community! Please read on for additional information about our school and our programs for our Little Lions.

Enroll Your Child!

St.Mary little students

Where Little Hands Create Big Dreams

Long before it had this name, this classroom already had a heart. St. Rose's Garden Preschool spent years welcoming Moscow's littlest learners into a joyful, faith-filled beginning - and in 2018, that story found a new chapter when St. Rose's moved into St. Mary's Catholic School.

Today, we hold onto everything that made St. Rose's special, now strengthened by the depth of a full K-8 school family. Miss Nicole, who began teaching at St. Rose's back in 2011, leads our classroom today.

Why Families Choose Little Lions

  • Small classes where every child is known by name, from their first day of preschool through 8th grade.
  • A faith-filled, whole-child program - heart and mind, body and soul - open to families of all faiths.
  • Built-in "big buddies" in grades K-8, so your child belongs to a whole school community, not just a classroom
  • A real academic foundation: phonics, math, and science programs that carry straight into our Kindergarten.

Hi, I'm Nicole Asker.

I grew up right here in Moscow, and I'm a St. Mary's alum myself. I earned my degree in Early Childhood Development and Special Education from the University of Idaho, started the preschool program at St. Rose's back in 2011, and spent four years teaching first grade here at St. Mary's before taking on this role. I'm also a mom - my own daughter is eleven - so I know exactly what it feels like to hand your child over to someone else for the day.

 My goal for every child in my classroom is simple: help them discover a love of learning that carries them forward, in an environment where they feel safe enough to explore, try, and grow. I can't wait to get to know you, your family, and what matters most to you. 

A Day in the Life of a Little Lion

Every day has a fun, predictable rhythm - a comforting structure young children thrive on:

  • Morning arrival, hand-washing, and a warm welcome
  • Work time, with hands-on choices across our dramatic play area, art easels, sensory table, block area, and reading corner
  • Small group learning and Lexia phonics time
  • Outside time, every day the weather allows
  • Snack and Show & Tell, with a different child leading each day
  • Whole-group story, calendar, and community time
  • Weekly music with Mrs. Fairbanks and P.E. with Mr. Herrenbruck

 For our full-day families: lunch, a mindfulness moment, and quiet rest time round out the afternoon, with childcare available until 5:30 p.m. 

What Your Child Will Learn

  • Faith: Daily prayer and our God Made the World curriculum, woven naturally through the day - not a single subject, but a way of treating one another
  • Language & Literacy: Letter recognition, sounds, and pre-reading skills, supported by Lexia Core5, our proven early-literacy program
  • Math: Shapes, colors, numbers 0-20, patterns, and early addition and subtraction
  • Science & Social Studies: Hands-on exploration through My Big World with Clifford and Inspire Science, plus themes on family, community, and traditions
  • Fine & Gross Motor: Cutting, pencil grasp, and crafting indoors; active play and P.E. outdoors
  • Art & Music: Daily creative exploration, plus weekly music class

Part of a Bigger Community

Our Little Lions don't attend a stand-alone preschool - it's the youngest part of our K-8 school family. Your child will have real "big buddies" in the older grades, see familiar faces in the hallway every day, and grow up already belonging to the community they'll join for years to come.

Tuition and Fees

We want cost to be a conversation, not a barrier - we're proud to be an Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) provider, and Idaho's Parental Tax Credit may also apply to your family.

  • Registration: $200 (uniforms not required)
  • Part-Time Program: 7:30–11:30 a.m. - $5,908.00 for the 9-month school year
  • Full-Time Program: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. - $8,635 for the 9-month school year (lunch included)

 ICCP (Idaho Child Care Program)   Summer Camp Available, for year round care! 

What Families Are Saying

Richard and Christin Beebe

Our family has had the distinct pleasure of being blessed by St. Mary's Parish School for over a decade, spanning the education of our six beautiful children. Our eldest children, now 21 and 19, began in preschool, went through middle school, and now our four youngest are in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 4th grade.

St. Mary's has provided an incredible place for our children and family to grow not only in academics and faith, but in every single way. St. Mary's K-8, as well as the Early Childhood program, are unmatched in their ability to cater to each unique student with attention and connection, teaching and learning, love, and care for all children.

From our beginnings 18 years ago to the present day, St. Mary's remains committed and consistent in its excellence for our children. We are beyond thankful and grateful for this amazing school and community.


Jonathan and Deann Billing

"It Was More Than a School - It Became Part of Our Family" A Parent Story: Jonathan and Deann Billing

When we first enrolled our oldest son, Asahel, in preschool at St. Mary's Catholic School, we didn't know exactly what to expect. We weren't a Catholic family, but we were looking for a place where faith and values were part of everyday life - where our children could grow not only in knowledge but also in character and kindness.

From the very first day, we felt something different. The teachers knew every child by name. The classrooms were full of warmth and curiosity. Faith wasn't a subject on the schedule, it was woven into how people treated each other, how challenges were faced, and how gratitude was expressed. Asahel flourished, and when our younger son, Foster, began preschool, St. Mary's already felt like home. Over the years, we watched both of them grow - not just as students, but as people. They learned how to think deeply, serve others, and see their education as part of something meaningful. Foster continued all the way through middle school, and by the time he graduated, we realized how much we had grown too. St. Mary's didn't just shape our children - it shaped us as parents. The friendships we built, the values we witnessed daily, and the sense of belonging strengthened our family in ways we never expected.

One of the most beautiful parts of our experience was that, even though we weren't Catholic, we were always welcomed fully. St. Mary's celebrates faith as a living practice of compassion, respect, and purpose. It's about helping every child discover their own path and calling.

Today, as proud alumni parents, we still support St. Mary's because we've seen firsthand the difference it makes - not just for our family, but for the entire community. It's a place where children are known, loved, and guided to become their best selves.

"St. Mary's gave our sons an incredible foundation. It strengthened their character, deepened their kindness, and showed them that faith and learning go hand in hand."

Becky Couch

The Preschool/Pre-K Early Childhood Program at St. Mary's Catholic School is an incredibly safe, loving and fun environment for little ones to thrive and grow physically, socially and academically. Each day is exciting as they get to play with their friends, create with their hands, and learn basic developmental skills as they are introduced to age appropriate academics (ABCs, calendar, weather, writing their name, letter sounds, numbers, shapes, colors, etc.). At St. Mary's Catholic School the Preschool/Pre-K children get to know the older students in grades K through 8th grade and look up to them and be excited about seeing them each day as well. It is a wonderful loving environment and we have loved having our children in the St. Mary's Early Childhood Program.

Keith And Cassandra Crossler

We started at St. Mary's in the 2020- 2021 school year, our oldest son was entering kindergarten. Even during such a scary and difficult time, our son shined and excelled in school! He came out of his shy little shell and has become such a smart, talkative, bright and caring child. Both of our children now attend St. Mary's, we are in our 5th year with the school! Although our family is not Catholic, we have a deep love for God and love all of the teachings that St. Mary's has to offer. We feel welcomed and included and our children are thriving. Our family is so thankful for the school teachers and staff, and for the love and caring they show our children!

Jeremy Van Houten

When we found the school we were in desperate need of child care for my 4 year old son. With the limited options in Moscow we decided to meet with the school even though we are not Catholic. The environment was so welcoming and our son has flourished in the last 3 years at the school and now our daughter has joined the preschool program this year (2024). The school is one of the most welcoming places you could have children. When my son was in kindergarten the thing that amazed me the most was that every child no matter the age and teacher in the school knew my son's name and would say hello to him as we walked by.

Ready to Visit?

We'd love to show you around. Schedule a visit, come meet Miss Nicole, and see a day in the life of a Little Lion for yourself. Contact our Business Office at 208-882-2121

Apply Now