Starting this fall, the Indian River School District will offer a tuition-based pre-kindergarten program.
For the past 20-plus years the district has had preschool programs within its schools.
But Indian River’s supervisor of early learning Audrey Carey says over the last two years, the District has focused on building a more diverse program.
“Meaning they service children whether they are special needs, whether they are tuition-based or if they are English-language learners or students even living in poverty, more of a reflective pre-school program like our K through 12 programs,” Carey said.
Carey points out the Indian River School District will be the first district in Sussex County to offer this tuition-based pre-K; schools upstate are already offering it. She adds it’s being done in an effort to generate more funds for the district.
Carey says children will be chosen for the program by random lottery. Parents must submit applications by Monday, August 13th.
She says students selected for the program must participate in screening to assess their language skills, motor skills and understanding of basic concepts.
Children who are 3 and 4-years-old prior to August 31, 2018 are eligible for the program. The fee for the half-day program is $250 per month and $2,250 for the school year - paid in nine monthly installments.
Applications are available here or on the district website. Completed applications should be e-mailed to Denise Garcia at denise.garcia@irsd.k12.de.us. Parents will be notified of selection to the program by August 15, 2018.
