Welcome! 
The 2024-2025 school year is our 71st year! Highlands Preschool was organized in 1953 as an independent preschool. This means that we are not affiliated with, or supported by, any church, government or other organization. In 1967, Highlands Preschool was granted official 501c3 non-profit status. This is a unique combination for a preschool - independent of any parent organization, with education as our primary focus rather than profit. This allow us to dedicate ourselves to giving preschoolers of all backgrounds a positive first learning experience to prepare them for kindergarten.
A Child Learns By Doing
Our philosophy of education centers around "play." Through play, many important behavior and social skills are learned and practiced:
the development of independence and self-esteem, sharing, taking turns, accepting limits, using self-control and following directions.
Your child will learn by exploring and experiencing open-ended art projects, stories, songs, games, music, dramatic play, free play, outdoor play and circle time. The curriculum is woven seamlessly into these fun and lively activities so your child is always learning through active play.
Our curriculum surpasses national standards. The depth and extent of the curriculum are appropriately adjusted by age level, and include the exploration of:
Letters and Numerals: how they are shaped differently, how letters have different sounds and how they are put together to form words; how different numerals show different amounts.
Shapes, Colors and Sounds: through activities such as matching, patterning, graphing and charting.
Science and Math: hands-on learning by measuring, weighing, estimating, counting and experimenting.
Language Skills: through stories, songs, poems, guessing and acting out.
Please visit our Curriculum page for a more in-depth outline of curriculum activities by age level.
Our Staff
TEACHERS:
Melanie Tofte has a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Early Childhood Education from Washington State University. She previously taught kindergarten for the Issaquah School District. This is Mrs. Tofte's 16th year teaching at Highlands Preschool. She is our PreK (4s) Program Coordinator.
Shannon MacGillivray also known as "Mrs. Mac," has a Bachelor degree in Humanities and Liberal Studies from Western Washington University, trained with us, and has now taught at Highlands Preschool for 22 years. Mrs. Mac is our Preschool/Early Threes Program Coordinator.
Katie Czerwinksi has a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education from Louisiana Tech University and previously taught kindergarten in Louisiana and for the Renton School District. This is Mrs. Czerwinski's 13th year teaching with us.
TEACHER ASSISTANT:
Maeve Gallagher joins us for her fourth year as our Teacher Assistant (TA). Miss Maeve has an Associate of Arts degree from Bellevue College and trained with us at Highlands Preschool.
ADMINISTRATION:
Karen Beckman Householder is our Administrator and Registrar. "Miss Karen" holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management from the University of Washington. This is Miss Karen's 24th year with Highlands Preschool.
Our Board of Directors
Parents and guardians of enrolled children are automatically members of the Association. Government of the Association is conducted by our Board of Directors, which is similar to a PTA. The Board is made up of parents of preschool children who perform various volunteer tasks, set policies and financial goals.
See what other parents have to say about Highlands Preschool by visiting our Guestbook!
The 2024-2025 school year is our 71st year! Highlands Preschool was organized in 1953 as an independent preschool. This means that we are not affiliated with, or supported by, any church, government or other organization. In 1967, Highlands Preschool was granted official 501c3 non-profit status. This is a unique combination for a preschool - independent of any parent organization, with education as our primary focus rather than profit. This allow us to dedicate ourselves to giving preschoolers of all backgrounds a positive first learning experience to prepare them for kindergarten.
A Child Learns By Doing
Our philosophy of education centers around "play." Through play, many important behavior and social skills are learned and practiced:
the development of independence and self-esteem, sharing, taking turns, accepting limits, using self-control and following directions.
Your child will learn by exploring and experiencing open-ended art projects, stories, songs, games, music, dramatic play, free play, outdoor play and circle time. The curriculum is woven seamlessly into these fun and lively activities so your child is always learning through active play.
Our curriculum surpasses national standards. The depth and extent of the curriculum are appropriately adjusted by age level, and include the exploration of:
Please visit our Curriculum page for a more in-depth outline of curriculum activities by age level.
Our Staff
TEACHERS:
TEACHER ASSISTANT:
ADMINISTRATION:
Our Board of Directors
Parents and guardians of enrolled children are automatically members of the Association. Government of the Association is conducted by our Board of Directors, which is similar to a PTA. The Board is made up of parents of preschool children who perform various volunteer tasks, set policies and financial goals.
See what other parents have to say about Highlands Preschool by visiting our Guestbook!