By Anne White
On South Avenue, where families already move in and out of St. Aloysius Parish for Mass, religious education, and parish life, a new daily routine is about to begin. In September 2026, the parish will open St. Aloysius Catholic Preschool, welcoming its first students and introducing a new entry point for young families in New Canaan.
The preschool will serve children ages 2 through 5 and is already accepting applications for the 2026–2027 academic year. The program is described as “New Canaan’s Only Catholic Preschool – Where Faith and Excellence in Early Learning Come Together.”
In a letter to parish families, Msgr. Robert M. Kinnally announced the appointment of Maria Hillman as the school’s founding director. “Maria Hillman will be the first director of St. Aloysius Catholic Preschool,” he wrote.
Hillman comes to New Canaan from St. Thomas More Happiness Preschool in Darien, where she served as director. “Maria brings a wealth of experience in Catholic early education,” Kinnally wrote, adding that her “strong Catholic faith, love of children, and proven leadership” distinguished her during the search process. He also noted that her recommenders “praised her for building a strong team of educators and creating a joyful and faith-filled learning community.”
Hillman will begin working with the parish immediately on a part-time basis and will assume the role full-time following her departure from her current position on June 30, 2026. She is expected to oversee admissions and begin outreach to families who have already expressed interest in the program.
Parish leadership has framed the school as part of its broader effort to support families at an early stage in their children’s development. The mission of the preschool is “to partner with families to educate young minds and hearts in the Catholic faith, nurturing both spiritual and intellectual growth.” The program also aims to prepare students “with the necessary skills to thrive in the next stage of their educational journey” while fostering “a deep love of learning and a lifelong dedication to their Catholic faith.”
For families considering preschool options, the program emphasizes a play-based approach to early learning where children will develop skills in “literacy, numeracy, problem solving, and critical thinking” within a framework that integrates Catholic values.
Classroom experiences will vary by age group but share a common structure centered on hands-on learning and social development. The school will offer programs for 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds, as well as a pre-kindergarten program for 5-year-olds, each designed to support developmental milestones through play, routine, and guided instruction.
The preschool also highlights its focus on the “whole child,” describing an approach that supports “spiritual, social, emotional and intellectual growth.” Facilities are described as “state-of-the-art,” with “bright, welcoming classrooms and safe and secure play areas” intended to support exploration and creativity.
Admissions opened on December 3, 2025, and the process includes an online application, a scheduled tour, and a meeting with the admissions team. The school states that it welcomes applicants from all faith backgrounds, though priority will be given to parishioners of St. Aloysius and families seeking a Catholic education.
Tuition for the 2026–2027 academic year varies by program, with part-time options for younger children and full five-day programs for older students. Schedules range from morning-only sessions to extended pre-kindergarten hours.
As the parish prepares for its inaugural year, the preschool represents a new way for families to engage with St. Aloysius at an earlier stage. What begins with a classroom experience for a two- or three-year-old may also become a first connection—to teachers, to other families, and to the life of the parish itself.
