Public Pre-K Offerings

Did you know that Portland Public Schools offer pre-kindergarten programs for any Portland kid 4 years old on or before September 1 of the year they're planning to enroll?  Here's the scoop, direct from the PPS early education web site.  I've included links for easier perusing:

Half-day programs

• Beach - Dual language, Spanish Immersion program, 1710 N. Humboldt, 503-916-6236   
• Chief Joseph, 2409 N Saratoga, 503-916-6255
• Sabin, 4013 NE 18th, 503-916-6181
• Vernon, 2044 NE Killingsworth, 503-916- 6415

Full-day programs

• Boise Eliot, 620 N Fremont, 503-916-6171
• Humboldt, 4915 N Gantenbein, 503-916-5468
• King, 4906 NE 6th, 503-916-6456
• Woodlawn, 7200 NE 11th, 503-916-6282

Full-day, fee-for-service pre-kindergarten

• Richmond Elementary, full-day and half-day Japanese Immersion pre-kindergarten program. 2276 SE 41st; 503-916-6220.

Make sure to download the School Catalog to read up on the stats and offerings at each school.  Any mamas with experiences they'd like to share?

Comments

[jennster]

are they expensive?

[Julie]

I believe Irvington Elementrary also has pre-K. I think they have a free half-day and a fee-based full-day.

[becky]

Irvington's pre-k is a tuition based program. info at http://www.iedprogram.org

The other pre-k's are free. I think all the pre-k programs are half day. There are usually two sessions, morning and afternoon.

[kathy]

Are there any current Vernon pre-k parents out there? I would love to hear your thoughts about the classroom/teacher/learning environment,yada yada. We are looking into sending our boys there next year, and I want to gather as much info. as I can. thanks!

[KMat]

I think Faubion also has pre-K. My son started with Kindergarten, so I don't know any of the particulars about the program.

[Sharai]

Faubion does have a free full-day pre-K. My daughter is there now, and loves it! This year the class filled up with just neighborhood kids, so there's no room for transfers. It's nice to know that the kids Anya is bonding with will be in school with her for years to come.

[Carole]

Is there any reason for/against the free pre-K programs? Would there be a different focus than a regular second year of preschool, or is it the same thing (mostly play, etc)? From my uninformed perspective, hooray, free! But I don't know how these specific programs are, compared to a second year of preschool. Does anyone send their child to one of these pre-K programs? Or conversely, did anyone check these out and have a strong opinion about why they WOULDN'T send their child to one of these?

[AmyS]

We tried to get our daughter into the Chief Jo and Beach preschools but because they are not our neighborhood school, we didn't get in -- limited room. "For any Portland kid" is not our experience.