A Foundation for Learning and Life
Our Preschool runs from Infant Care (3mo-2yrs) through school age (4 years). We have designed our program to foster character development, spiritual growth, and academic learning that will prepare every child for a life of learning and following Jesus.
Within our Christ-centered environment, each child is known as an individual learner. Our outstanding preschool staff make space for self-guided learning and creativity so that students’ first learning experiences are positive. Teachers ensure that students practice persistence and problem-solving, developing critical thinking skills and a growth mindset from an early age.
Like all the programs at SJCS, we value a strong parent partnership and regular communication. This supports our church-home-school approach and is the key to student success. Please contact us to start your partnership with SJCS today.
Safe & Loving Environment
To ensure that your child reaches developmental benchmarks, we have five developmentally-appropriate classrooms that will serve each child’s distinct needs.
- Caterpillar Class (3mo - 2yrs)
- Grasshopper Class - Potty Training Room (2 - 3yrs)
- Dragonfly Class - Fully Potty Trained (3 - 3.75yrs)
- Firefly Class (3.5 - 4.5yrs)
Each classroom offers ample space for play, learning, meals, and naps. Our campus also features two playground areas that are protected with fencing and available for the exclusive use of our preschool students. We ensure that all facilities, including bathrooms and playgrounds, meet the health and safety requirements of the California Child Care Licensing Program.
Dedicated & Well-Trained Staff
We have extremely high standards for our preschool teachers who love God, love kids, and are well-trained in child development. Staff complete new teacher orientation and regular professional development to stay current on best practices. By incorporating the best practices from these fields into our traditional-model preschool, we are able to meet the needs of each individual student.
Curriculum
We believe the best way to help children succeed in learning is to teach them to be creative, confident thinkers. This means offering each child an opportunity for hands-on exploration and discovery, which in turn helps build lifelong critical-thinking skills and foster confidence.
SJCS Preschool utilizes the Get Set for School Curriculum ("Handwriting Without Tears"), which incorporates the main core competencies–reading, writing, and mathematics. Lessons are flexible to accommodate students’ unique development and build from simple to more complex tasks. This approach ensures that children develop basic readiness skills and are prepared academically for their school career.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of our preschool program, students meet or exceed these Essential Learning Outcomes
Contact SJCS Preschool
Rochelle Leggett
Preschool Director
Professional Biography
I discovered the concept of Christian preschool when I was looking for a preschool for our 4th child. After finding out that Christian preschools were an option, I knew that this was the perfect work opportunity for my skill set.
I worked at Milpitas Christian Schools for eleven years as a teacher, seven years as a headteacher, and three years as a director. Within those years, I also received my site supervisor permit. In 2003, I helped open a Catholic Child Care center at St. Francis of Assisi. While running St. Francis of Assisi in 2008, I received my MBA in Marketing. The degree helped me keep St. Francis of Assisi's doors open for eighteen years.
At the start of the pandemic, I dedicated time to teaching distance learning with a few students. As the year continued, I was able to teach even more students, and by fall, my program was expanding. I am proud to say that I recently graduated some of my students into kindergarten. I am looking forward to what God has planned for me at San Jose Christian. Go TIGERS!!!!
Personal Biography
I have been married to my husband Darrell for 41 years. My husband and I are marriage advisers at Bible Way Christian Center. We enjoy talking with young couples and inspiring them to embrace God's love in their marriages.
God blessed us with six wonderful children; and nine adorable grandchildren. I enjoy being with our children and our grandchildren every Sunday; our favorite pastimes are playing games and participating in food challenges! I also enjoy kickboxing, spending alone time with my husband, and reading self-help books. It is important to me that I continue to educate myself and learn new things. Because I love to educate myself on new topics, I have been learning Spanish.
Christian Philosophy of Education
I feel the first five years of a child's life are not only important but what they learn is crucial to their life-long learning process. The classroom is the perfect place to integrate the Biblical perspective. I have seen how much a strong connection to God has benefitted some of my students, and it is so exciting to see them grow in their faith. I believe introducing bible stories that have a moral lesson helps students in their journey of self-discovery and encourages them to foster deep connections. In addition, it encourages the students to engage with their environment. Math gives them the knowledge of financial responsibility and to be good stewards to our churches, families, and the world. Science gives us a better understanding of how God put this world together and how we can take care of it. And finally, reading opens their minds and encourages imagination and creativity to flow. I believe it is our responsibility to make sure our children are taught spiritually and academically. It has been a privilege to watch my kids grow, and I hope to continue my teaching journey.
Stephanie Reynolds
Preschool Communications & Engagement Manager
Professional Biography
I graduated from the University of San Francisco in 2011 with a degree in Design and a minor in Business. Though my career path led me away from design, I found my passion in program and operations management, spending over a decade working in the tech industry. My background has taught me the importance of clear, timely communication and strong collaboration—skills I’m excited to bring to the preschool community here at SJCS. As both a parent and now a staff member, I feel incredibly blessed to be part of a place that has already meant so much to our family. I look forward to using my experience to help strengthen the connection between parents and the classroom and to support both the amazing staff and the families we serve.
Personal Biography
I’m a San Jose native and grew up attending Catholic schools, which helped lay the foundation for my lifelong faith. I continued on to Jesuit education at the University of San Francisco, and I’m so thankful to now be part of another faith-based community at SJCS. My husband, Chris, and I have been married since 2016, and we have two curious and joyful daughters who keep us on our toes and fill our home with laughter. As a family, we love spending weekends exploring local parks, trying new restaurants, and taking on fun DIY projects (usually inspired by a YouTube video or two!). I’m so grateful to live, work, and raise my family in a community that puts Christ at the center.
Christian Philosophy of Education
I believe that Christian education is about nurturing the whole child—heart, mind, and spirit—and creating an environment where both academic growth and faith development are intertwined. A Christ-centered classroom not only teaches knowledge and skills but also models kindness, compassion, and integrity in everyday interactions. I see faith as the foundation for building strong relationships between teachers, students, and families, where every child is known, valued, and loved as a unique creation of God. My role in supporting the preschool community is rooted in the belief that clear communication and strong collaboration allow teachers to focus on what matters most: guiding children in both their learning and their spiritual growth. I feel privileged to be part of a school that keeps faith at the center of every decision and interaction. Working in a Christian environment allows me to approach each task, big or small, with a servant’s heart. I believe when families and staff work together in partnership, children thrive both academically and spiritually. It’s a blessing to help build the kind of supportive, Christ-centered community that allows students to grow with confidence, curiosity, and faith.