About Us
Committed to Success
Our programs provide children the skills to flourish in grade school
while building a strong foundation for continued educational success
Centering Heritage
Immersive Environments
Our Team
Oksana Petryna Director
Maria Bandola Preschool Teacher
Katerina Borchuk Pre-K Teacher
Pani Oksana founded the ULA in 2012 with a vision to bring culturally enriching childcare to the Ukrainian American community. She is a lifelong childcare professional, having worked and studied both in Ukraine and the United States, where she holds a Master's Degree in Early Education
Katerina Borchuk Pre-K Teacher
Maria Bandola Preschool Teacher
Katerina Borchuk Pre-K Teacher
Description
Victoria Vaskiv Teacher Aid
Maria Bandola Preschool Teacher
Maria Bandola Preschool Teacher
Description
Maria Bandola Preschool Teacher
Maria Bandola Preschool Teacher
Maria Bandola Preschool Teacher
Description
Our Story
A Dedicated Ukrainian Education for the Future of Our Community
The ULA started inside the Ukrainian Cultural Center of New Jersey, as a part of the vibrant community and diaspora there that is dedicated to preserving the culture of the Ukrainian people. Our founder Oksana Petryna had spent many years as a teacher of pre-school children at the Center's renowned Saturday-School program, when she recognized the need for a dedicated, full-week childcare program focused on promoting our culture.
Working directly with community stakeholders and the Center, Pani Oksana founded the Ukrainian Learning Academy to provide an early childhood education program focused on connecting our children with their Ukrainian heritage while preparing them for a successful career in general education. The result was a full-week program with both half-day and full-day options for an immersive bilingual approach designed to grow children's language, social, and communication skills in both English and Ukrainian.
The Ukrainian Learning Academy has been operating for over 10 years, solidifying its value to our community and it's children. Pani Oksana still serves as Director, with an expanding group of dedicated staff. With the increased movement of the Ukrainian diaspora all across the world in recent years, it is more important than ever to preserve our language, culture, and heritage. Those efforts start with the ULA through the education of our future generations and the growth of our community.
Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey
The Ukrainian Cultural Center of New Jersey (UACCNJ), located in Whippany NJ, is a foundational pillar of the Ukrainian diaspora in the greater New York area. It serves as a center point for various cultural organizations and societies, as well as the impressive Saint John The Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church located directly on campus. It's known for it's yearly autumn festivals, it's philanthropic activities, and its support of various cultural programs such including dance, music, and youth groups. The UACCNJ has been the heart of Ukrainian tradition for the region, and the Ukrainian Learning Academy is honored to be one of many great organizations that have made their home here.