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Early Education
Center for Early Education to Open at Knight, in Cory-Merrill Community
Denver Public Schools (DPS) Board of Education tonight approved the relocation of the proposed Center for Early Education to open in Fall 2009 to the facility being vacated when Knight Fundamental Academy moves to Hallett.
The new center is a collaborative effort between four southeast Denver schools (Cory, Asbury, Steele and Slavens). The facility, currently occupied by Knight Fundamental Academy, is located at 3245 E. Exposition Ave, near the Cory Merrill Community Campus.
The Center for Early Education is a tuition-based early learning center - the first of its kind in DPS - that will serve 4 and 5 year-old children. "The Center concept is very exciting for the district," said Tom Boasberg, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools. "A center with many early childhood education (ECE) classrooms allows teachers to share resources and develop their craft and provides a dedicated environment for our youngest learners."
Before the Knight facility became available in February of this year (when the Board approved the move of Knight to the Hallett building in Northeast Denver), the center was to open at Merrill Middle School, with renovations required for all rooms. The new location is roughly one mile away from the Cory Merrill Community Campus. The recommendation to the board was made after conducting surveys of prospective parents, holding conversations with the community, and conducting a detailed cost-benefit analysis.
A high percentage of parents already enrolled supported opening the center at Knight, a facility with larger rooms already equipped for young learners. The Center at Knight will house up to eight ECE classrooms. Renovations for ECE classrooms at Merrill could still take place next year if demand continues to increase for ECE offerings, and this facility is determined as the right location to support that demand.
In November 2008 Cory and Merrill were awarded Beacon status and in February 2009 a School Improvement Grant (SIG) to sharpen the direction and academic focus of the new Cory Merrill Community Campus. The center was one element of the proposed articulation plan. Neither Beacon status nor the SIG awarded to Cory and Merrill are expected to be affected by the move of the center. "Cory and Merrill have developed considerable momentum," said Boasberg. "Opening the center at the Knight facility allows two very strong leaders at Cory and Merrill extra space to fully implement a vision for articulation of the two schools - supported by DPS leadership."
The center will operate under a yet-to-be appointed director that will lead a team of highly trained and experienced teachers towards the sole goal of creating a unique learning experience for children. Tuition rates will be the same as other tuition rates throughout DPS. Tuition assistance will be available based on need.
As a participating preschool in the Denver Preschool Program, the Center for Early Education will be a Qualistar rated program. Qualistar accreditation is based on the principles of a positive learning environment, strong parent involvement, low student-to-teacher ratios and highly trained instructors. Information on the Qualistar organization can be found at www.qualistar.org.
The dedicated learning center will focus on the social and academic skills necessary for future educational success. The center will promote oral language development, stimulate cognitive development and provide a rich, emergent literacy environment and develop a child's self-esteem and love of learning. The center will also emphasize a strong connection to the arts, music and technology. The center will offer half-day and full-day programs.
Families already enrolled at the center do not have to take action at this time and will remain enrolled unless they notify their school. Families wishing to enroll in the center can contact the participating schools.
- Cory Elementary, 1551 S. Steele Street/ 303-744-2726
- Asbury Elementary, 1320 E. Asbury Avenue/ 303-722-4695
- Steele Elementary, 320 S. Marion Street/ 303-744-1717
- Slavens School, 3000 S. Clayton Street/ 720-424-4150
For more information, contact the Communications Office at 720-423-3414.
