Introducing our EXTENDED PRESCHOOL DAY option at our new South location!
Tuesday/Thursday 9am-5pm. Details below!
A Christian Preschool in Pittsburgh for Children Aged Two through Five
Crossroads Church has provided Christ-centered early childhood education for over 25 years. We’d love to welcome your pre-K children into our school.
Click the button below to enroll your child. After you have registered, you can submit a copy of your child’s birth certificate by scanning or taking a picture of it and sending it to gail.knarr@xr.church at any time. We need these on file prior to the start of school in the fall.
Two Pittsburgh Locations
Pittsburgh West
1000 Crossroads Drive
Oakdale, PA 15071
Pittsburgh South
1120 Boyce Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
The Crossroads Preschool Ministry
We commit to providing the following to the children in our care:
Meaningful Learning Experiences for Little Ones
We encourage children to explore and have fun in the rich environment we’ve created for them. We help them learn on their level with joy and delight.
Kindergarten Readiness
We give children a foundational, hands-on introduction to literacy, math, and science. We help them become curious, confident, eager learners who meet the expectations of kindergarten today.
Obedience to God
God is our authority in everything we do. We strive to glorify him in every part of the preschool day.
Partnership with Families
We work with parents and caregivers to help children grow into all that God created them to be.
Our Commitment to Early Childhood Excellence
At Crossroads Preschool, we do everything possible to deliver the best Christian education for pre-K children in the Pittsburgh area:
Guide Children in Seven Areas of Development
Cognitive
We engage all five senses, nurture children’s imaginations, and help them discover and understand the world at their level.
Creative
We introduce children to the creative arts with crafts and songs and help them make their own special masterpieces.
Emotional
We model warmth, gratitude, respect, integrity, grace, compassion, and self-control.
Language
We read and share stories, ask and encourage questions, and put words into everything we see and do.
Physical
We support fine and gross motor skills through toys, play, movement, and helping each other with tasks.
Social
We lead children in how to be aware of others, how to make and be a friend, and how to play well together.
Spiritual
We thank and praise God throughout the day for the world he created and for his son, Jesus Christ. We strive to show the children that God made them in his image and loves them very much.
Build a Foundation for Lifelong Learning
Early childhood experiences are critical in shaping future success. With our focus in the seven areas of development, we help children build confidence, strength, and empathy. This equips them to thrive in kindergarten, in the primary and secondary grades, and into adulthood.
Provide Top-Notch Security
Every member of our staff — all teachers, administration, assistants, and volunteers — have passed all background checks. All have clearances that guarantee no history of criminal activity or child abuse.
Uphold State and Local Standards
Crossroads Preschool officially and properly prepares each child for kindergarten. Our learning objectives and curriculum are written in compatibility with:
- The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Common Core State Standards.
- The area school districts where we’re located.
Our Preschool Programs By Age
Pittsburgh West
Age Requirement
Children must be two years old by August 31 of the calendar year when school starts.
Class Location
This class meets only at the Pittsburgh West location.
Class Times
Classes meet from September to May on:
- Friday from 9-11 a.m. or
- Friday from 12-2 p.m.
Class Size
A maximum of eight (8) children
Class Leadership
One teacher and one teacher’s assistant
Tuition and Fees
- Non-refundable registration fee per child: $50.00
- One-time supply fee per child: $50.00, due in August of the calendar year when school starts.
- Tuition: $88.00/month, due by the tenth (10th) day of each month from August through April of the school year.
Goals for the School Year
By the time they finish their time with us, Crossroads graduates:
- Understand God’s love and salvation.
- Nurture Christ-like relationships of love, care, and respect.
- Develop strong self-esteem.
- See themselves as unique and special in God’s eyes.
- Possess strategies for cognitive and academic development as lifelong learners.
- Achieve kindergarten readiness in accordance with all local school districts and state recommendations.
Age Requirement
Children must be three years old by August 31 of the calendar year when school starts.
Toilet Training Requirement
Children must be toilet trained by the start of the school year.
Class Locations and Times
Classes meet from September to May:
- Monday and Wednesday, 9-11:30 a.m. or
- Monday and Wednesday, 12:15-2:45 p.m. or
- Tuesday and Thursday, 9-11:30 a.m. or
- Tuesday and Thursday, 12:15-2:45 p.m.
Class Size
A maximum of 15 children
Class Leadership
One teacher and one teacher’s assistant
Tuition and Fees
- Non-refundable registration fee per child: $50.00
- One-time supply fee per child: $50.00, due in August of the calendar year when school starts.
- Tuition: $143.00/month, due by the tenth (10th) day of each month from August through April of the school year.
Goals for the School Year
By the time they finish their time with us, Crossroads graduates:
- Understand God’s love and salvation.
- Nurture Christ-like relationships of love, care, and respect.
- Develop strong self-esteem.
- See themselves as unique and special in God’s eyes.
- Possess strategies for cognitive and academic development as lifelong learners.
- Achieve kindergarten readiness in accordance with all local school districts and state recommendations.
Age Requirement
Children must be four years old by August 31 of the calendar year when school starts.
Toilet Training Requirement
Children must be toilet trained by the start of the school year.
Class Locations and Times
Classes meet from September to May:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9-11:30 a.m. or
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 12:15-2:45 p.m. or
- Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or
- Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Class Size
A maximum of 18 children
Class Leadership
One teacher and one teacher’s assistant
Tuition and Fees
- Non-refundable registration fee per child: $50.00
- One-time supply fee per child: $50.00, due in August of the calendar year when school starts.
- Tuition:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes: $157.00/month, due by the tenth (10th) day of each month from August through April of the school year. - Tuesday/Thursday classes: $150.00/month, due by the tenth (10th) day of each month from August through April of the school year.
Goals for the School Year
By the time they finish their time with us, Crossroads graduates:
- Understand God’s love and salvation.
- Nurture Christ-like relationships of love, care, and respect.
- Develop strong self-esteem.
- See themselves as unique and special in God’s eyes.
- Possess strategies for cognitive and academic development as lifelong learners.
- Achieve kindergarten readiness in accordance with all local school districts and state recommendations.
A Word About Our Bridge Class
The Bridge Class is designed for children who are old enough for kindergarten, but who are not quite ready for its rigorous demands. With the Bridge Class, Crossroads Preschool prepares these children to enter kindergarten successfully the following school year. We continue to build their skills across the seven areas of development (cognitive, creative, emotional, language, physical, social, and spiritual). We ensure they’re learning, growing, and having lots of fun, too.
Please note that the Bridge Class is not a special education class. We cannot offer the support or accommodations that children with special needs require and deserve.
Age Requirement
Children must be five years old by August 31 of the calendar year when school starts.
Toilet Training Requirement
Children must be toilet trained by the start of the school year.
Class Location
This class meets only at the Pittsburgh West location.
Class Times
Classes meet from September to May on:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Class Size
A maximum of 18 children
Class Leadership
One teacher and one teacher’s assistant
Tuition and Fees
- Non-refundable registration fee per child: $50.00
- One-time supply fee per child: $50.00, due in August of the calendar year when school starts.
- Tuition: $272.00/month, due by the tenth (10th) day of each month from August through April of the school year.
Goals for the School Year
By the time they finish their time with us, Crossroads graduates:
- Understand God’s love and salvation.
- Nurture Christ-like relationships of love, care, and respect.
- Develop strong self-esteem.
- See themselves as unique and special in God’s eyes.
- Possess strategies for cognitive and academic development as lifelong learners.
- Achieve kindergarten readiness in accordance with all local school districts and state recommendations.
Pittsburgh South
Age Requirement
Children must be three years old by August 31 of the calendar year when school starts.
Toilet Training Requirement
Children must be toilet trained by the start of the school year.
Class Locations and Times
Classes meet from September to May:
- Morning Only Option: Tuesday and Thursday, 9-12:00pm
- EXTENDED PRESCHOOL DAY OPTION: Tuesday and Thursday, 9am – 5pm
Class Size
A maximum of 20 children
Class Leadership
One teacher and one teacher’s assistant
Tuition and Fees
- Non-refundable registration fee per child: $50.00
- One-time supply fee per child: $50.00, due in August of the calendar year when school starts.
- Tuition for the morning-only option (9am-12pm): $164.00/month, due by the tenth (10th) day of each month from August through April of the school year.
- Tuition for the EXTENDED PRESCHOOL DAY option (9am-5pm): $254.00/month, due by the tenth (10th) day of each month from August through April of the school year.
Goals for the School Year
By the time they finish their time with us, Crossroads graduates:
- Understand God’s love and salvation.
- Nurture Christ-like relationships of love, care, and respect.
- Develop strong self-esteem.
- See themselves as unique and special in God’s eyes.
- Possess strategies for cognitive and academic development as lifelong learners.
- Achieve kindergarten readiness in accordance with all local school districts and state recommendations.
Register Your Child for Crossroads Preschool Today
We’re so excited to spend the next school year learning and having fun with your son or daughter!
The Crossroads Preschool Leadership
Meet the educators who lead our school and love your kids.
Ginny Melhorn
Preschool Director
Tenure: 32 years
Ginny has been married for 44 years, 3 amazing children and 7 precious grandchildren
Her favorite subjects when she was in school: Geography & Psychology (college)
Her favorite thing about working with preschoolers: Their funny unpredictability. You never know what they might say or do and are so much fun! Also, they are like sponges absorbing so much learning.
College: Shippensburg University
Gail Knarr
Teacher, South Location & Preschool Administrative Assistant
Tenure: 11 years
Gail is married (36 years) — 1 adult child, 2 grandchildren, 2 cats
Gail is back in the preschool classroom after a 15 year hiatus, during which she was a nanny for 3 different families. She has over 12 years experience working in preschools + 11 years as our kids ministry administrative assistant at Crossroads.
Her favorite subject when she was in school: English, music
Her favorite thing about working with preschoolers: Watching them learn and grow through the year, seeing the joy on their faces when they discover something new or master a new skill or concept.
College: Grove City College
Karen Mahafkey
Teacher for Four-Year-Olds, West Location
Tenure: 27 years
Karen is married with two children, a dog, and a fish.
Her favorite subjects when she was in school: Music and Chorus
Her favorite thing about working with preschoolers: Every day is different!
College: Waynesburg College
Lauren Newsome
Assistant Teacher for Four-Year-Olds, West Location
Jennifer Boyd
Teacher for Bridge to Kindergarten Class, West Location
Tenure: 5 years
Jennifer is married and has one daughter and a pet dog.
Her favorite subject when she was in school: Art
Her favorite thing about working with preschoolers: They brighten my day! The feeling of accomplishment is overwhelming when you see how far they have come over the school year.
College: Edinboro University
Kelly Nicoles
Teacher's Assistant for Bridge to Kindergarten Class, West Location
Tenure: 2 years
Kelly has two grown children and one grandchild.
Her favorite subject when she was in school: Reading
Her favorite thing about working with preschoolers: Watching them grow and learn and seeing how far they have come from the beginning of the year to the end, and the joy they bring to your life.
Mackenzie Bollman
Teacher Assistant for Two- and Three-Year-Olds (Tues/Thurs), West Location
Marybeth Stoker
Interim Teacher for Two- and Three-Year-Olds, West Location
Tenure: 3 years
Marybeth has been married to her husband for 21 years and has two children.
Her favorite subject when she was in school: Art
Her favorite thing about working with preschoolers: I love seeing how much they learn in just nine months!
Susan Cox
Teacher's Assistant, South Location & Two- and Three-Year-Olds (Mon/Wed/Fri), West Location
Bio coming soon!
You?
We're hiring!
Crossroads Preschool is hiring more amazing teachers and assistants for this coming school year. Learn more at xr.church/jobs
Our History
Crossroads Preschool opened its doors to children in the fall of 1996, at our Pittsburgh West location. Our initial two classes were filled, and we’ve been expanding ever since to meet the needs of growing families in our church and in the surrounding community. Today the preschool is the Early Childhood Education Ministry of Crossroads Church. We teach 11 classes and have added a second location at our Pittsburgh South campus. Our mission is to provide pre-kindergarten-aged children in the Pittsburgh area with a strong and positive foundation for learning through the love of Jesus Christ.
Our Pledge
Crossroads Preschool admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the preschool, and provides each student with all rights and privileges conferred therein. Crossroads Preschool does not discriminate based on race, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration or delivery of its educational policies, admission policies, financial policies, or any other school-administered policies or programs.