Welcome

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions that you will need to make for your child. Since 1959, St. Dominic School has been committed to an environment of academic excellence in which each child's God-given talents are fully developed within our faith-filled curriculum. Choosing a St. Dominic Catholic School education for your child is an investment in their future.
	john.chovanec@stdominic.net
	Extension: 281
Statement of Philosophy:
At St. Dominic School, we recognize each child as a unique individual who will grow spiritually, academically, physically, creatively, psychologically and socially. We integrate academics with religious truth and values and provide an academic environment that challenge each individual and motivates lifelong learning. We teach social justice, multi-cultural diversity, gender equity and social responsibility in the tradition of Catholic social teaching. For more information on my background, please use the links below: Background and Philosophy
Degrees and Advanced Training:
Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and a Master of Education from Marquette University

Parent Letters 2008-2009 School Year

LEARNING EARLY - 3-year-old kindergarten classes bring success to two schools

By Alan Hamari
Staff Writer
Posted: Nov. 7, 2007

While public schools in Brookfield and Elm Grove wrangle with the idea of establishing a district-wide 4-year-old kindergarten program, some private schools in the area have already found success with classes aimed at younger children.

St. Dominic's in Brookfield launched a 3-year-old kindergarten program this year, and Brookfield Christian School's "Bright Beginnings" pre-kindergarten program welcomed its third class of 3-year-olds when school started in the fall.  Several other private schools offer preschool programs, but few are open to students younger than 4.

St. Dom's principal John Chovanec said the School Board decided to launch the K3 program after hearing considerable interest from a number of parishioners. Chovanec said "quite a few" families expressed interest when St. Dom's conducted a parish-wide survey on the program last fall. Interest in the program has stayed pretty steady so far, Chovanec said. St. Dom's has 17 students in its three-day Monday-Wednesday-Friday session and 12 students in its Tuesday-Thursday class.

Socialization and academics

Chovanec said the class combines social interaction, academic instruction and religious education. "I think that (parents) like the opportunity of that social time for their kids and that introduction to school for their kids," Chovanec said.  Chovanec said the school, which has about 450 students in K3 through eighth grade, has received financial support from the parish. Making room forced the school to get creative with space, so St. Dom's officials rearranged classrooms and converted a former storage area into the new music room.  St. Dom's K3 program is open to the whole community, but "parish members get the first shot," Chovanec said. The tuition is also higher for nonparishioners, he said.

Convenient for parents

In addition to its inaugural K3 program, St. Dom's offers a morning and afternoon session of K4 and morning or full-day options for its 5-year-old kindergarten. The school also provides an extended care program for K3 through K5 students, allowing parents to drop off their children before or after class without the hassle of picking them up in the middle of the day, Chovanec said.  "I think certainly with both parents working a lot of time, they're able to drop their child off in extended care and not have to worry about them getting to their class," Chovanec said.  Chovanec said it's hard to predict future interest in the K3 program but said he's been impressed with how things have gone so far this year.  "We've really enjoyed having the little ones in the building," he said.

Alan Hamari can be reached at ahamari@cninow.com or (262) 446-6601.