BY WKC STAFF

Owensboro Catholic Schools (OCS), in collaboration with St. Pius X Parish in Owensboro, recently announced plans to introduce a preschool program beginning with a small cohort in fall 2026.

The current daycare facilities will be transitioned to house the preschool, with the goal of having a fully staffed and enrolled preschool by the following year in fall 2027.

St. Pius’s pastor, Fr. Larry Hostetter, wrote in a letter to the parish that conversations and discernment had led to this decision, and that the expectation is to continue daycare services until the end of June. 

Fr. Hostetter wrote that the St. Pius daycare is operating at a deficit and that it has been “increasingly difficult to keep staff and to operate in line with state requirements, while also keeping costs low for parents.”

He said data indicates that students who attend preschool have been shown to have an educational advantage, and that having an OCS preschool program will provide “a seamless and effective way of moving preschool age children into kindergarten programs (at OCS).”

In a statement sent out to the school community, OCS said additional details will be shared as the program grows.

“OCS is committed to strengthening Catholic education at every level and beyond,” said the statement. “The addition of a preschool program allows us to begin serving students earlier and supporting families for the long term.”

Inquiries may be sent to Jenny Glenn in the OCS Central Office at [email protected] or (270) 686-8896.

Originally printed in the April 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.