Pre-K3 Program
The Holy Cross Pre-Kindergarten Program for three year old children is a faith-centered, play-based learning environment that builds confidence and encourages curiosity in our youngest learners! The program is designed to develop the whole child through hands-on experiences while fostering social, emotional and cognitive growth in a safe and nurturing setting.
As a member of our Pre-K3 program, your child will:
Experience individual, small group and whole group instruction
Engage in language arts, math, science, social studies and religion through a wide variety of activities
Create beautiful art, participate in group dramatic play and investigate items through examination using the five senses
Discover nature through the exploration of our beautiful nine acre campus
In addition, Pre-K3 students enjoy an enriched curriculum that includes Music, Physical Education, Library, Technology, Spanish, and Art throughout their school week.
Our flexible program offers parents the choice of full-day from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm or half-day from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Full-day students are offered an afternoon rest period and after school care is available. We accept a maximum of 20 students with three experienced and dedicated full-time teachers. Students must be 3 years of age by August 31st of their incoming year and are required to be proficient in their bathroom skills.
Teacher: Julia Bueno
Julia Bueno holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois, a Juris Doctor from American University, and a Maryland teaching certificate from Notre Dame of Maryland University. She is a certified catechist and a member of the Maryland and D.C. Bar. Mrs. Bueno began her teaching career in 2012 and joined Holy Cross in 2018 to lead the school’s first Pre-K3 class. She’s been passionate about early childhood education ever since. Believing that young children learn best through play, she creates a fun, energetic, faith-filled environment that fosters a lifelong love of learning. Her classroom motto: “There are no bad days, only good and better days!”
Teaching Assistant: Laura Bilek-Menjivar
Laura Bilek-Menjivar earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Concord College, and a Master of Arts in general psychology from American University. She worked as a psychiatric rehabilitation counselor before deciding to stay home to raise her family. An opportunity arose for her to reenter the work force in the field of child care and she gladly accepted. Mrs. Menjivar enjoys working with three year-olds because of their inquisitive nature.
Teaching Assistant: Theresa Lockwood
Theresa Lockwood holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland College Park, a Master of Arts in Education from UMBC, and completed graduate coursework in reading education at the University of Virginia. She is an ADW Certified Catechist and holds a Maryland Advanced Professional Certificate in early childhood education and reading.
Mrs. Lockwood taught Kindergarten at Holy Cross from 2008 to 2024 before joining the Pre-K team. She previously taught Head Start, First Grade, and served as a Reading Initiative Teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools. In 2016–2017, she was named Teacher of the Year by the Knights of Columbus, Rock Creek Council. She is committed to faith-based education and integrating faith into daily learning.