DEPARTMENT: Pre-K 4 SA
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Sarah Baray, Ph.D.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Pre-K 4 SA and Head Start program overview
SUMMARY:
Pre-K 4 SA and Head Start will present an overview of each early learning program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio makes a significant investment in early childhood education. Research indicates the community can expect long-term benefits from this investment, including higher educational attainment, increased income levels, better health outcomes, and a stronger workforce. Economic calculations demonstrate that high quality early childhood education yields a 7% to 10% return on investment through reduced costs for remedial education, justice system expenditures, and healthcare.
The City of San Antonio offers two early childhood programs, Pre-K 4 SA and Head Start. Pre-K 4 SA is a comprehensive high-quality early learning initiative aimed at changing the education and workforce trajectory of San Antonio in one generation. Pre-K 4 SA has four program components designed to improve the quality of early childhood education throughout San Antonio: 1) four model Education Centers; 2) family outreach and engagement; 3) free, best-in-class professional development; and 4) competitive grants. Pre-K 4 SA operates in partnership with eight independent school districts.
Each year the four Pre-K 4 SA Education Centers offer full-day prekindergarten to 2,000 of San Antonio's four-year-olds. The school day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Extended hours are available at no additional charge from 7:15 to 8 a.m., and from 3 to 6 p.m. for working families. Breakfast, lunch and two snacks are included and free transportation is available to all students. Pre-K 4 SA is free for students meeting one of seven factors associated with high risk of school failure. Pre-K 4 SA offers a sliding scale tuition option for non-qualifying students. Qualifying students from partner districts are duall...
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