Pre-K programs are said to be suffering across the nation. However according to Phenix City schools superintendant Dr. Larry DiChiara that is not the case across Alabama and certainly not true for Phenix City Schools.
One Pre-K student, four-year-old Morgan spends her weekdays learning how to write, play with magnets and even use a computer.
Just over two years ago, Morgan’s Sherwood Elementary Pre-K teacher, Laura Saulters, decided to leave high school teaching behind and work with much younger students.
Saulters classroom is one of two "title one," federally funded Pre-K programs in Phenix City.
20 children make up Saulters Pre-K class. However this is not the only option for Phenix City parents who are looking to give their 4 and 5 year olds a jump start on their education.
234 children attend Pre-K at the Phenix City's Head Start Center and more than 100 are on the waiting list.
"It's one of the nicest facilities, one of the best head start programs in the southeast," says Dr. Larry DiChiara.
The center is made up of 12 classrooms. One is funded by the state and the other 11 receive federal funds. Both come with guidelines.
Dr. Carolyn Keasal is the Director of Phenix City Head Start Center. She says, "with federal guidelines with head start, we have a benchmark, where you can’t have over 10 percent of children that are over income."
Keasal adds that she wishes the center had more space, so they could accept and educate even more students.
According to “Pre-K Now”, a quality pre-k program helps students become better equipped for both Kindergarten and the years beyond.
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