Schools
Lawrence District To Expand Preschool Program Thanks To New State Aid
In five years, the district is projected to open its doors to nearly 500 Lawrence preschoolers.
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Good news for township parents. Lawrence Township will be significantly expanding its preschool program, thanks to new state aid.
The school district successfully applied for Preschool Expansion Aid (PEA) from the New Jersey Department of Education.
This initiative will bring high-quality, universal preschool to the district at no cost to families.
Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The district has been preparing to begin the expansion immediately, opening its first new class on Feb. 20, a revamping of the existing Cardinal Kids program to a five-day-a-week, full-day preschool program housed in Lawrence High School.
The second additional preschool class will be in one of the district’s elementary schools and is expected to open after Spring Break this year.
Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The district is slated to open additional classrooms each year, and by the plan’s fifth year, the district is projected to open its doors to nearly 500 Lawrence Township preschoolers.
In addition to serving more three-and-four-year-olds, the expanded program, which previously existed on a smaller scale, will also allow more high school students to enroll in the popular “Early Childhood Growth and Development” course in the future.
The class allows high school students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a real-world “laboratory” setting.
“We are excited about the long-term impact of the Cardinal Kids program at LHS,” Superintendent Robyn Klim said. “Our oldest and youngest students in the district will have the opportunity to learn and grow from one another.”
Klim said the preschool expansion is an example of the school district’s commitment to equity and access for all students.
“The aim is to remove barriers and provide equal opportunities for families, an effort that aligns with our strategic plan,” Klim said.
For more information on the district’s preschool expansion, strategic plan, or to view the application, visit www.ltps.org/preschool.
Have a correction or a news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
