Preschool classrooms will be added to two Lawrence elementary schools next year, with the district’s vision to make enough seats for 3- and 4-year-olds accessible.
The district plans to first open one preschool class each at Sunflower and Woodlawn elementary schools during the 2025-26 year, according to a report Superintendent Jeanice Swift gave the school board Monday. She said the two schools were selected based on demand, and others will be phased in likely over the next few years.
Currently, the district operates Kennedy Early Childhood Center, which offers early education for 3- and 4-year-olds.
“We know the power of a quality preschool education,” Swift said. “We know that research, decades of research, show that it’s effective and and helpful for all students, and most especially students who come from homes that have higher impact, whether that’s poverty, second language, whatever the case may be — we know that by adding classrooms into the local school that we’ll be able to engage and support families earlier 3- and 4-year-olds, right in our neighborhood schools.”
Swift shared upcoming “enhancements” of other school programs as part of her report Monday, as well.
Board President Kelly Jones asked how families can get more information if they’re interested in getting involved in any of the programs. Swift said the district will soon communicate enrollment information.
Additional planned ‘enhancements’
• Elementary science education:
The district plans to implement a more focused elementary science curriculum based on research that critical thinking in the area of study is crucial for child development. Swift said a fully certified teacher will instruct a special science rotation at all elementary schools.
• Jayhawk Blueprint partnership:
Swift said the district would like to strengthen Jayhawk Blueprint, a partnership between the district and the University of Kansas allowing high school students to take college courses for credit.
• Montessori program:
New York Elementary School currently has a Montessori program in preschool through second grade. The district will begin adding Montessori classes for the rest of the grade levels at New York next year, in 2025-26.
• STEAM at LMCMS:
The district plans to keep progressing its Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) program that’s now at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School. LMCMS uses the nationally recognized “Project Lead the Way” curriculum, and the district plans to add a new module, or student project, every year. Design and modeling as well as robotics are offered so far, Swift said.
Swift did not discuss funding mechanisms for any of the prospective enhancements with the board Monday.
View her full report via the board’s agenda meeting agenda on BoardDocs.
If our local journalism matters to you, please help us keep doing this work.
Don’t miss a beat … Click here to sign up for our email newsletters
Click here to learn more about our newsletters first
Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
Latest Lawrence news:
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
