Schools

Kindergarten Program Expanded in Boston

The city is introducing 10 new classrooms through a partnership with seven community organizations.

The city of Boston and Boston Public Schools have expanded Boston's kindergarten program through new funding and partnerships with several community organizations. 

Mayor Thomas Menino and Superintendent Carol R. Johnson announced this week that 10 new kindergarten classes would be formed through funding from Boston Public Schools, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Merrimack Valley and the Barr Foundation. Two of the classrooms will be in the South End. 

“Providing our children a good and early start is so important to their success through high school and college,” Menino said. “We know this investment will result in high quality education for more of our youngest students, thanks to the work of our trusted community partners at the United Way.” 

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Seven city organizations were selected for the grant funding. They are: Catholic Charities: Nazareth Child Care Center (Jamaica Plain); Dorchester Boy and Girls Club; East Boston YMCA; Ellis Memorial Early Education Center (South End); IBA: Escuelita Boriken (South End), N.I.C.E Inc. (Roxbury); and Wesley Child Care Center (Dorchester).   

Through the collaboration, the organizations will receive professional development training from BPS early education staff, along with professional coaching and the use of BPS curriculum. 

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“Our goal is to provide every child in our city with the resources they need to succeed,” Johnson said. “By making more early education opportunities available to the families of Boston, we are making great strides in achieving our goal.”

This expansion will eventually serve up to 200 students, mostly four-year olds. 


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