Preschool
St. Paul’s provides high-quality learning with emphasis on the individuality of each child.
We are proud to offer a Christian atmosphere that is nurturing, engaging and fun.
Our qualified teaching staff will engage your child in hands-on experiences and exploration activities that foster their basic developmental needs: physical, language, cognitive, social, and emotional.
Nurturing & Supporting your child’s Cognitive, Social, Emotional, Linguistic & Physical Development
Our highly-trained staff use active play and hands-on activities that include literacy immersion, art, music and movement, engaging science and math, outdoor and dramatic play, and weekly chapel experiences to foster the growth of the whole child. Our curriculum is theme and center-based to be engaging, motivating, carefully-planned, and full of fun!
Our program curriculum is designed to meet the Michigan Department of Education Standards for Quality Preschool.
Interested in learning more about your child’s growth and development?
Great Start Collaborative has resources for parents.
NEW!
Mommy and Me for 2’s & 3’s
Fridays, 9:30 – 11 a.m.
Come play, learn, and connect with other parents! Ms. Jen will lead the children each week through a fun and gentle introduction to group play through stories, songs, crafts, and movement. Maximum class size of 8 children.
Class will run October – May
To Apply, return completed application with $25 non-refundable enrollment fee to:
St. Paul’s Preschool, 620 Romeo St. Rochester, MI 48307
It is the policy of St. Paul’s Preschool that there will be no discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, marital status, religion, national origin, age, or disability in any educational programs, activities or employment.
Our Staff
Jennifer Archey, M. Ed.
Preschool Director
Jennifer Archey has been the director of St. Paul’s Preschool since 2019. She began her career teaching children with developmental disabilities in 1997 at the Princeton Child Development Institute. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology specializing in development and neuroscience from Princeton University, a masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Oakland University, and a certification in Early Education Leadership from Harvard University. Jennifer feels strongly that children develop best in a nurturing environment that attends to their individual needs. She loves her role supporting teachers, parents, and children to establish strong relationships with one another. Jennifer cherishes her roles as a wife and mother. She has three wonderful kids: Jimmy, 23, is a winemaker in Leelenau; Abby, 18, is a biology student at Cornell University; Danny, 16, is a sophomore at Notre Dame Prep High School. Her greatest honor is to walk beside these amazing people who teach her more every day.
Jessica Westness, M. Ed.
Jessica Westness is the lead teacher in the Preschool Class at St. Paul’s. Her educational background includes a BA in Psychology, a BA in Sociology, a minor in Human Services, and a masters degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked as an Early Childhood Director, an Early Childhood consultant, and as a preschool teacher. She loves the wonder and awe of preschoolers and is filled with excitement for her teaching role at St. Paul’s Preschool.
Jessica lives in Rochester Hills and is happily married to Rich, her high school sweetheart. She has two awesome kids, Owen and Evan. As a family, they enjoy boating and camping. In her free time, she enjoys Pilates, going for walks along the Paint Creek trail, and reading.
Elizabeth Flores
Elizabeth Flores is the lead teacher in the Pre-K Classroom at St. Paul’s. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement (ZA) in early childhood instruction from Eastern Michigan University. Her teaching career began 18 years ago in Fayetteville, NC. She spent most of her years teaching in first and second grade before taking a break to raise her family. Teaching young children is her passion, which has brought her to St.Paul’s Preschool – a great place to be! She wants to help children reach their potential, while engaging in a creative, play-based learning environment. While away from the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family. She has a wonderful husband, and two amazing daughters. They enjoy traveling and going to new places as often as life allows. She spends much of her free time at the horse barn and cheer competitions, as she enjoys watching her girls follow their passion. Elizabeth’s family loves their elderly dog with no eyes, who requires a lot of love and patience and an adorable guinea pig, who they also love dearly.
Mary Sue Edwards, M.Ed.
As a young child of three years old, Mary Sue Edwards’ grandfather’s nickname for her was “teacher.” Surely, he knew something she did not. Mary Sue came to St. Paul’s Preschool with a masters degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado. She possesses 9 years of teaching experience in elementary classrooms (grades 1-4) in both public and private settings. She also has 5 years’ experience as a guest teacher in grades K-5 and 9 years of experience teaching 4-year-old preschool students. She says she finds preschool to be the purest form of child-based learning. “It is here that we allow the child to wonder and grow, and tailor our lessons to the interests of the child. I believe that it is the teacher’s joy to guide children to discover their unique talents and encourage them to naturally develop into life-long learners.”
Mary Sue and her husband grew up in Colorado and find themselves on an “extended” tour of the Midwest (30 years). They have been happily married for over 35 years and are the proud parents of a 27-year-old daughter (a St. Paul’s Preschool graduate) who is an oncology/hematology nurse at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina. They are frequently amused by the antics of their 6-year-old Golden Retriever “puppy.”
Melanie Nally
Melanie Nally has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy and Economics from Michigan State University. She began her career as an economist for the federal government in Washington, D.C. and has held several data management/ finance positions in the pharmaceutical & healthcare industry before retiring from corporate life in 2021. Both of her children attended St. Paul’s Preschool when it was a co-op preschool. She made lifelong friends here at the preschool! In her time at the preschool as a parent, she volunteered in the classroom, assisted in a church liaison role, and was the co-op preschool president. Using the early childhood education knowledge gained as a mom, a co-op preschool parent/president, and through continuing education courses, her goal at St. Paul’s is to help students feel comfortable and confident as they grow into lifelong learners. She believes deeply in the power of books, and wants each child to enjoy stories at any reading development level. Helping children feel safe and valued as they learn to make new friends, create fun projects, and gain skills that will serve them on their learning journey is a true joy for Melanie.