SDUSD Announces β€˜Pre-K for All' Initiative

The fee-based program will allow other families to qualify for preschool for the first time.

The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) announced a new initiative to make pre-kindergarten affordable to more families.

The initiative is called Pre-K for All.

Right now, a family of four making less than $47,000 a year qualifies for free pre-school for their children.

But what about other families?

β€œPrice has put preschool out of reach for many working families,” said the district's Director of Early Childhood Education, Stephanie Cimensky.

The fee-based program will allow other families to qualify for preschool for the first time. There is room for 3,400 students right now. If more students enroll, more sites can be added, Cimensky said.

β€œThis is an investment in our children's future,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

There are no new teachers being hired this year, though pre-schools will be opening at eleven new sites this year. Tuition ranges from $530 to $1060 a month, depending upon income, and program options.

Pre-K for All offers a three-hour part time program, a six-hour full time program, and child development centers. Military families, district employees and families with siblings going to pre-school will qualify for a discount.

SDUSD said it has set aside about $24 million to offer Pre-K programs next year. Funding will come from multiple sources.

In a statement, the district wrote: β€œOur expectation is that about 3.4 million of this investment will come directly from the district. Another 6.6 million will come from the new students who pay fees and from a grant we are hoping to receive. Finally, about 14 million will come from the state, assuming the District is able to fill the 2,948 seats they have contracted with the District to provide."

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