PRESCHOOL EXPANSION PROJECT
IMPACTS: Kindergarten Readiness; Third Grade Reading Proficiency
Too few children in Flagstaff have equitable access to high-quality preschool. This condition is unsatisfactory and is an obstacle for advancing world-class education for every child in Flagstaff.
Expanding preschool opportunities will almost certainly produce benefits that exceed its costs, with measurable benefits of increased school readiness, higher academic achievement. This will translate into a higher educated workforce with greater potential for individual and community prosperity.
We have initiated a community conversation focused on piloting a collectively-funded project that will provide high-quality, full-day, year-round preschool for children who are not otherwise being served in existing preschool sites. Our goal is to seat the first class of students in January, 2020.
Participating organizations in this conversation include:
- Arizona Community Foundation of Flagstaff
- City of Flagstaff
- Coconino Community College
- Coconino County
- Coconino County Superintendent of Schools
- Expect More Arizona
- First Things First
- Flagstaff Unified School District
- Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce
- NACOG Head Start
- Northern Arizona University
- The NARBHA Institute
- The Wharton Foundation
- United Way of Northern Arizona
PROGRESS TO DATE:
- Published the report: Expanding High Quality Preschool in Flagstaff: A Request to Support a Pilot Solution
- Initial investment from key community partners established:
- City of Flagstaff: $70,000 for FY20
- Coconino County: $70,000 for FY19-FY20
- Wharton Foundation: $150,000 for FY20-FY22
- Additional funding for the three-year pilot is being explored among additional community partners
- The Preschool Coordination Task Force is meeting in June to create an implementation structure for consideration in July