A private prep school will expand its preschool program in Springfield when the new school year arrives.
The Summit Preparatory School announced an expansion of its Early Learners program, open to children 3 to 5 years old. The number of available spots has been increased by 16, for a total of 48 slots.
The school’s Board of Trustees also approved the hiring of additional staff members to keep its student to teacher ratio at 8 to 1, said Whitney Wiese, spokesperson for the school. Screenings for the spots will be held on Feb. 16.
“We’re excited to expand our programming to meet the growing demand for high-quality early childhood education, said Katie Heet, head of school, in a press release. “This addition allows The Summit to continue to support our youngest learners by building curiosity, sparking innovation, and investing in the future of our community.”
Billed as a “premier early childhood education experience,” the Early Learners program prepares students for kindergarten using a curriculum that emphasizes activities, observation and decision-making. It is accredited by the Independent School Association of the Central States.
It caps class sizes at 16, with a full-time and part-time staff member. Classes run from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Admission requires going through the screening process. A screening day set for Feb. 16 requires advance registration. The school is located at 302 E. Walnut Lawn St.
