Program at Whitney and Hawthorne Elementary Schools

Boise, ID -- 05/12/2015 -- On Monday, May 11, 2015, during its regular monthly Board meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Boise School District approved a three-year, joint pre-kindergarten program between the District and the City of Boise to be held at Hawthorne and Whitney elementary schools.The goal of the program will be to close or reduce the achievement gap for students entering kindergarten.

"The research is clear that pre-K works," said Superintendent Dr. Don Coberly. "Our previous experience also showed that kids who participate in quality pre-K programs perform much better in kindergarten, particularly in reading. This pilot is a welcome addition to the efforts we are already implementing around early childhood learning."

Currently, the Boise School District offers the Madison Early Childhood Center, Summer School Preschool and Kindergarten Readiness Programs, Early Childhood Special Education Services and Just for Kids Childcare program. Also, parents are provided with a Kindergarten Readiness Packet as part of the District's annual Kindergarten Registration.

The City of Boise will be responsible for the salaries and benefits associated with instructional staffing for the pre-kindergarten classes, as well as curriculum costs, equipment and supplies. The Boise School District will provide the educational expertise, curriculum delivery, facilities and administrative support. The District will also provide yearly comparative data to the Board and to the City on the progress of the students involved in the program.

District officials and Board members agreed that conversation and collaboration with the City and community partners about long-term sustainability will be crucial as the pilot proceeds. The pilot is one element of a project to revitalize the Vista Neighborhood, the area of Boise in which Whitney and Hawthorne Schools are located.

Two sessions of pre-K will be offered at Hawthorne and one session at Whitney. City and District officials are still working on applications, screening procedures and an official start date for the program.