DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Public Schools welcomed its youngest students into the classroom Monday as a new year of preschool began.
With a new year underway, DMPS is making changes to accommodate a growing need for preschool education and address barriers for families.
Two classrooms offering free, full-day preschool were added at Garton and Madison, thanks to an expanded partnership with the city of Des Moines. Six city-funded, full-day preschool classrooms were offered during the 2023-24 school year.
DMPS Director of Early Childhood Kristin Rourk believes the expansion will set more students on the right path for future success.
"Our statistics show that students who attend preschool are much more likely to perform well, both socially and academically, from kindergarten all the way to 12th grade," Rourk told Local 5.
In addition to eliminating financial barriers, district leaders want to do the same on the transportation front.
A new school bus program piloted by DMPS will offer transportation to preschoolers in nine school locations. To qualify, the student must live within the school's boundary but more than a mile and a half away.
"One of the things that people, I think, just don't realize is that districts don't get funding for preschool transportation, and so I feel really fortunate that our board and superintendent have invested in our littlest learners to get them here," Rourk added.
If the program is successful this year, Rourk says they will look offer all DMPS preschool students bus transportation in the years to come.
For more information on the preschool bus transportation program, click here.