Funds Awarded for Prekindergarten Expansion
$26.6 Million in Grants Advance Pre-K Education
BALTIMORE– The Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Early Childhood has awarded 50 grants aimed at serving four-year-olds in high-quality prekindergarten classrooms in Maryland.
In total, 19 school systems have been funded for one or more additional PreK classrooms. In addition, 31 community-based, Head Start and other programs in 12 jurisdictions have been funded. Approximately $26.6 million in grant awards will provide four-year-old children from low-income families access to full-day prekindergarten during school year 2019-2020.
“Early learning programs provide a strong educational foundation for our state’s youngest learners,” said Governor Hogan. “These grants are a much-needed investment in Maryland’s future generation and will allow for increased access to these programs for youth across the state.”
These funds allow school systems and early childhood programs to increase the length of the school-day from a half-day to a full-day, fund highly qualified and certified Early Childhood teachers in each classroom, and serve more vulnerable children who otherwise would not have access to the early education they need for success in school. Maryland’s statewide plan expands high-quality prekindergarten, provides intensive technical assistance, and ensures comprehensive services are accessible in many high-need communities.
“Providing quality early learning opportunities for students will establish a strong foundation to help accelerate learning,” said Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools. “Strong early education programs help our children refine the skills they need to be successful both in and out of the classroom.”
Funds for these grants were made possible by HB 1415 – Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, passed by the Maryland Legislature and signed into law by the Governor in 2018.
Allegany County – $130,000
Baltimore City – $1,055,000
Baltimore County – $1,000,000
Caroline County – $1,470,000
Carroll County – $468,855
Charles County – $100,000
Dorchester – $1,405,000
Frederick County – $575,000
Garrett County – $125,000
Harford County – $1,800,000
Howard County – $660,000
Montgomery County – $1,580,000
Prince Georges County – $3,110,000
Queen Anne’s County – $500,000
Somerset County – $200,000
St. Mary’s County – $300,000
Talbot County – $850,000
Washington County – $1,675,000
Wicomico County – $2,000,000
Community-based, Head Start, and other Programs receiving funds are:
A World of Friends School – $300,000
Academy Child Development Centers – $700,000
Alef Bet Montessori – $100,000
Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School – $185,000
Berlin Education Station – $200,000
Catholic Charities Head Start of Carroll County- $195,000
Centronia – $600,000
Children’s Center of Walkersville – $94,844
Community Action Council of Howard County Head Start – $1,060,000
Crossway Community Montessori – $100,000
God’s Little Angels Learning Center – $150,000
Head Start of Washington County – $100,000
Hearing and Speech Agency (HASA) – $100,000
Kennedy Krieger Center for Autism and Related Disorders – $150,000
Kids Campus Early Learning Center – $80,000
Largo Park Early Childhood Center – $200,000
Little Flowers Early Childhood and Development Center – $200,000
New Beginnings Christian Learning Center – $200,000
Optimal Learning School – $200,000
PACT: Helping Children with Special Needs – $120,000
Peppertree Children’s Center – $150,000
Saint Francis International School – $300,000
Saint Vincent de Paul Head Start – $195,000
The Arc of Montgomery County, Karasik Family, Infant, and Child Care Center – $150,000
The Goddard School in Owings Mills – $100,000
The Lourie Center for Children’s Social and Emotional Wellness – $240,000
Themba Creative Learning Center – $300,000
Union Baptist Head Start – $250,000
Wee Lad and Lassie Early Learning Center – $70,000
White Marsh Child Care Center – $350,000
YMCA of Central Maryland Head Start – $500,000