The Learning Tree Preschool has deep roots in educating tiny tots in Sewickley.
Located in the Sewickley United Methodist Church, the school was formed in 1980 in response to a community need for an educational program for kids ages 3-4.
The traditional co-ed preschool is enrolling for the 2025-26 academic year.
The late Ida Wylie of Osborne was the first to educate preschoolers from her home and sought a new location for her preschool at SUMC when she retired.
“I’m so proud to be a part of a school that’s been a part of this community for so long,” said co-director Sandra Lane.
The school operates independently from the church and is housed in the basement area of the church.
“Teaching them to sit, listen, communicate, socialize and we do that with a lot of fun baked in,” Lane said. “We’re providing a building block for what happens in kindergarten and that’s what it’s about — kindergarten prep.”
The non-denominational nonprofit offers a customized educational program emphasizing dance, art, music and preschool academics.
All are welcome and religion is not taught.
Class sizes are tapped at 14 students.
Preschoolers take a movement class with dance instructor Anna Roguski at Learning Tree Preschool in Sewickley. @SewickleyHerald pic.twitter.com/Lu7257q8RO
— Reporter Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) March 19, 2025
Professional dance teacher Anna Roguski of Shadyside visits Learning Tree bi-weekly to teach movement classes to students.
A recent lesson had the kids moving and grooving to “Pop Goes The Pony.”
“The students learn coordination, fine motor skills, creativity and they come out of their shells,” Roguski said. “Some kids are slower to engage so they gain ways to express their creativity through their dance moves.”
Another enrichment offering is music taught by Rachel Whitcomb, Duquesne University’s associate dean and program director of music education.
“It’s important to learn instruction and how to listen to instruction and is a subtle way of teaching the children how to listen and follow directions,” Lane said.
Stretch-and-Grow, a nationwide children’s enrichment program offered bi-weekly and incorporating plenty of physical exercise, is a key component of the curriculum.
Other class activities include circle time, free play, show and tell, writing, painting, table time, library trips, independent letter practice, songs, class discussion, project work and more.
The students and teachers are a frequent sight in Sewickley’s business district and the students participate annually in the Sewickley Halloween parade.
The school is situated in the heart of Sewickley, so walking field trips are abundant and past trips have included learning about the operations of a dentist’s office, post office and exploring nature in town.
Co-teachers Kelsey Monyok of Sewickley and Jaqueline Stancil of Edgeworth teach all classes.
“The community aspect sets us apart. Parents can be involved on the board of directors. We get to watch the children grow and they have the consistency of the two teachers and we get to see them transition from their beginning skills to their more advanced skills in school,” Monyok said.
Parents are kept in the school communication loop via the Bloomz app.
Stancil holds a degree in early elementary education from Slippery Rock University. Monyok earned a degree in education with a specialization in Earth, space and general science from Edinboro University and holds a master’s degree in instructional leadership from Robert Morris University.
The Learning Tree Preschool is located at 337 Broad St. in Sewickley. For more information, email learningtreesewickley@gmail.com.