Welcome to our Preschool
The Johnson Memorial School at St. Stephen’s is a preschool for 3 and 4 year olds. Classes are held Tuesday through Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., September through May.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to provide an opportunity for three and four year old children to learn, play, and worship together in a Christian atmosphere. There is cooperation, democratic living and an opportunity for children to gain new skills and appreciation, to make new friends, to form good habits and to learn to be responsible members of a group.
Registration
Please download our Fall 2025 registration form below or request one from Candice Croker (JMS Director) at [email protected]
RETURNING FAMILIES -
Submit your completed form to the school office with non-refundable $225 registration/supply fee by February 15, 2025 to guarantee your spot.
NEW FAMILIES -
1. Tours can be scheduled at 10:00AM on a school day by appointment; please reach out to the Director for availability (713-859-7764 or [email protected]).
2. Completed form may be submitted in person starting Tuesday, February 18 at 8:00AM.
3. Registration/supply fee due at registration is $225 (non-refundable) and may be paid by Zelle or check.
4. Spots in each classroom are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis upon receipt of your registration form and payment.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is a developmentally-appropriate, unit-based curriculum. Preschool activities are selected on the premise that children learn best through play, hands-on experience, and observation. Our curriculum provides age appropriate activities which foster social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth.
Each class offers a wide range of self- and teacher-directed activities for the developing child. Included in our daily curriculum are block building, dramatic play, creative movement, music, listening to books and stories, cooperative games, arts and crafts, pre-reading, and math. Outdoor recreation provides opportunities for exercise, large motor development, and science lessons. From time to time, outdoor activities may include water play. Water play will be limited to water tables and wading pools. Our social skills curriculum focuses on speaking and listening skills, conflict resolution, taking responsibility for one’s actions, and caring for the environment. While there are no school pets at JMS, from time to time animals may visit the school as part of our special programming. Parents will be informed ahead of time if an animal will be on campus.
At JMS, children will also enjoy field trips, special celebrations, and guest speakers, all of which are designed to enrich the curriculum. Transportation for field trips will be via chartered school bus with seatbelts, and parent chaperones will be enlisted to ensure appropriate student supervision.
Since JMS is a ministry of the St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, our curriculum also contains a spiritual component which helps to guide our educational message. Children will be introduced to Bible stories from both the Old and New Testaments, memorize Bible verses, learn Christian songs, and attend monthly chapel services.
Tuition
For the 2025-2026 school year, our tuition will be $375/month.
Tuition is not pro-rated for holidays nor early withdrawal.
Health Forms
Medical documentation is required of all students before the first class day, including: A physician’s statement authorizing a child to come to school, current immunization record, hearing/vision test results (if your child is four years old by September 1, 2025), and a signed Emergency Action Plan (for students with food allergies).
History
The Robert A. Johnson Memorial School for Little Children was founded in 1967 by Mr. and Mrs. William O. Johnson, in loving memory of their son Sgt. Robert Alan Johnson. A U. S. Army Green Beret, Sgt. Johnson was killed in action in Vietnam in May of 1967. He and his family were long-time members of St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church. Robert’s sister, Ginny Martin, serves on the JMS School Board along with JMS parents, two HISD Kindergarten teachers, our Senior Pastor, our Family Ministries Director, two former JMS Directors, and others who support the important school mission of instilling the love of learning in our students. Since its inception, the school has served the community as a self-supporting, non-profit ministry of St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church.
Your support and trust is appreciated as we endeavor to fulfill the teachings of Jesus:
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Any Questions?
If you have any questions about JMS, please email the Director at [email protected]
More Info
Each day begins with a period of creative learning in which the children are free to choose from various centers such as blocks, books, small manipulatives, art, science, cooperative, gross motor, and small group. This is followed by periods devoted to creative art activities, Spanish, music, readiness, outdoor play, unit study and story time. Active times are alternated with quiet times. The daily schedule includes lunch, with each child bringing a lunch kit.
Ours is a developmentally appropriate, unit-based curriculum. Qualified, experienced teachers guide the children through an important year in their lives as they share holidays, experiences, learn of our place in the family, in the community, and of God’s world around us. Our daily routine and focus is play-based in small student-to-teacher ratios. The consistency prepares students for Kindergarten in three key readiness areas: social, emotional and academic.
Children enjoy daily music class, outdoor play with peers, field trips, special experience days, guests from the community, books from our school and church libraries, and worship in chapel services.
Attention is paid to readiness with carefully selected teaching aids for the child’s next step of development.
Optional after-school enrichment opportunities include: soccer, gymnastics, creative movement, Music Stars, and Stay ‘n Play.
Classes meet September through May, observing Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring holidays. School hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Children must be three or four years old on or before September 1st of the current year to attend.
The Robert A. Johnson Memorial School for Little Children was established with funds given in memory of Sgt. Robert Alan Johnson, aged 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. William O. Johnson. Robert was a Green Beret who was killed in action in Vietnam on May 12, 1967. This young man, who grew up in St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, exemplified the best of the youth of our nation.
Since 1967, this school has served families and children of all races and creeds, as a self-supporting, nonprofit part of the ministry of St. Stephen’s. More than 1,000 children have shared in this ministry.
Throughout the years families who know about our school come back and send others. Your support and trust is appreciated.
We endeavor to fulfill the teachings of Jesus in Matthew: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
(Matthew 19:14-15)