The Young 5 Kindergarten program, which has typically served 15-18 students each school year, is a half-day, five-day program for students who have summer or fall birth dates and could use additional time to develop readiness skills and overcome achievement gaps that may occur at young ages. These students would then enroll in the district’s full-day kindergarten program the following year.
Superintendent Tim Ackermann said in evaluating the program, he found a majority of the students were on track with the full-day students, and the district’s preschool also offers a similar tuition-based program.
“After evaluating the program, the district has determined that the Young 5 program has been used as an additional year of preschool for students,” he explained. “Legally, we are not required to offer a (free) preschool program, and it adds an additional cost to the district. By discontinuing the program, the district will realize $45,000 cost savings in transportation and personnel.”
Ackermann said his research showed the Young 5 class had once been a transitional first grade program that morphed into a half-day kindergarten preparatory program when the district moved to a full-day kindergarten model. Since that time, however, the district also bolstered their preschool curriculum, so that both the preschool program for older students and the Young 5 program have nearly identical curriculum.
The tuition-based program is based on the Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards and is aligned to the board adopted kindergarten curriculum.
“If the students can’t afford (the tuition), they can apply for waivers through the Warren County Department of Jobs and Family Services and be able to get that tuition free, if needed,” Ackermann said.
Of the 15 students enrolled in the Young 5 class this year, he said only two qualify for free or reduced lunches.
The district will continue to offer full-day kindergarten for children who turn five on or before September 30.
Starting with the 2017-2018 school year, parents may also choose to enroll their children for half-day kindergarten. These students will attend a full-day class but only stay for half the day. Transportation will not be provided by the district. If students are ready academically at the end of the year, they will be promoted to first grade.
About the Author