DES MOINES, Iowa — A partnership between Des Moines Public Schools and the city of Des Moines will be growing this fall to help serve more preschoolers in the district.
DMPS officials have spent several years working with the state legislature to expand funding for a universal, all-day preschool program.
"Right now, we only get 50% of per pupil funding that K-12 receives, and that's only for half day," said Kristin Rourk, director of early childhood for DMPS. "That half day can really be a barrier for families working full-time jobs."
Just last year, the district entered into a three-year partnership with the city in which $3.3 million of federal COVID relief funds were4 gramted, made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Those funds were used to help cover the cost of six all-day preschool classes at Carver, Capitol View, Garton, Greenwood, Jackson and Madison elementary schools.
With a new school year approaching, the district will be adding two additional free classes, bringing the total up to 8. Those locations will be opening up at Garton and Madison this fall.
"We look at the impact that it's already made on 120 students, and now we get the increase that to 160 students," Rourk told Local 5. "It's a huge investment in our community, and speaks highly to our city's commitment to really investing in our youth."
In addition to eliminating financial barriers, the program is also helping students meet and exceed the district's expectations.
Preschoolers in the 2023-24 classes took bi-annual assessments. According to Rourk, students improved most at their math skills; students scored 18% in the fall and 97% in the spring.
Student scores also doubled on the language, cognitive, literacy and social emotional skill assessments.
"If you attend a high quality preschool, you're less likely to need special education services, you're more likely to graduate, more likely to have a higher income," Rourk said, "We're getting them ready for life."
The current income eligibility threshold for free full-day preschool is no more than 200% above the federal poverty level. These families will be prioritized for spots.
Children must also be four years old by Sept. 15, 2024 in order to be eligible for preschool. For more information on how to apply, click here.