Our History
1960s: A Vision Takes Root
Ascension Lutheran Preschool was born from a vision to provide a high-quality Christian preschool for both church families and the surrounding community. After Ascension Lutheran Church completed its education building in 1964, Pastor Henry Ericksen, Joyce Baker, and Donna Neuner Russell led the effort to establish the school. Their vision became reality in September 1965 when the preschool welcomed its first class of 43 students under founding director Carol Roscoe.
1970s: Growing with the Community
As the preschool entered its second decade, enrollment and programs expanded to include afternoon care, summer school, and extended-day options. New classrooms, playground improvements, and dedicated volunteers helped the campus grow, while many traditions—including Open House and programs for toddlers and parents—began during this decade.
1980s: Building Traditions
The preschool continued to grow as a ministry of Ascension Lutheran Church, strengthening its Christian foundation through weekly chapel and community service projects. New leadership built upon the strong foundation established during the school's early years while maintaining its reputation for quality early childhood education.
1990s: Expanding Opportunities
The 1990s brought additional classrooms, increased enrollment, and new enrichment opportunities. Most notably, Ascension Lutheran Preschool earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), recognizing its commitment to excellence. Many favorite traditions—including Pajama Day and visits from community helpers—also began during this time.
2000s: Innovation and Enrichment
The new millennium introduced expanded enrichment programs in music, movement, Spanish, literacy, and chapel while continuing beloved traditions such as Snow Day, the Lizard Wizard, and Cabrillo Marine Aquarium visits. Campus improvements and additional classrooms allowed the preschool to continue serving a growing number of families.
2010s & 2020s: A New Chapter of Discovery
In 2017, Ascension Lutheran Preschool embraced the Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy, building upon its Christian foundation with a renewed focus on child-led, inquiry-based learning. Teachers reimagined the learning environment to encourage curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and hands-on discovery while continuing to nurture every child's spiritual, social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
The preschool's commitment to excellence continued in 2023 when it was selected as a mentor school for El Camino College's Childhood Education Department, helping prepare the next generation of early childhood educators. In June 2026, Shireen Lopez became Director, continuing the school's tradition of faithful leadership while guiding its next chapter.
Today: Honoring Our Legacy, Looking Ahead
For over 60 years, Ascension Lutheran Preschool has faithfully served generations of Peninsula families. While our classrooms and teaching practices have evolved, our mission remains the same: to provide a loving Christian environment where children are known, valued, and inspired to learn.
Today, our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach encourages children to ask questions, explore their interests, build meaningful relationships, and discover the joy of learning. We are grateful for the pastors, directors, teachers, volunteers, and families whose dedication has shaped our story—and excited for the generations still to come.
Learning and Growing for Years to Come
With a rich history spanning over 60 years, Ascension Lutheran Preschool has been a cornerstone in serving local children and their families. We invite you to take your time exploring our website to gain a deeper understanding of our identity as a school. We hope you will consider joining our community, as your presence would contribute significantly to the warmth and inclusivity that characterizes Ascension Lutheran Preschool.
As all schools do, we are constantly evolving and dedicated to providing our students with the best possible education and environment. We are committed to staying dynamic and responsive to the ever-changing needs of our students, ensuring that our school remains a place of growth, learning, and care while upholding the values we have always cherished. Through establishing new connections and implementing innovative practices, our teachers and I are devoted to creating a joyful, respectful, and caring environment for our families.
We encourage you to continue exploring to gain a sense of our passion and commitment. Below are important moments and dates that have shaped our school.