Beachwood Schools Could Offer All-Day Preschool

Beachwood City Schools could offer an all-day preschool option for four-year-olds beginning next school year.

Principal Michael Molnar and Preschool Director Karen Leeds spoke to the at Monday’s meeting about the change.

Enrollment at Fairmount is up, said Leeds, and she believes it will rise again next year.

She said that studies show that students who participate in all-day preschool perform better academically. The all-day program would leave more time for math, literacy and social studies, among other activities.

The school surveyed parents about their interest in an all-day program. Of the 24 parents of 3-year-olds — who could participate in the all-day program next year — nine responded, and eight of those nine said they would be interested in the all-day option.

The district would need 15 students to run the all-day program. Proposed tuition rates are $6,250 for residents or $7,000 for nonresidents — slightly higher than rates for half-day preschool: $5,905 for residents and $6,400 for nonresidents.

The school would still offer half-day programs for three- and four-year-olds and before- and after-care services.

Board members asked Leeds and Molnar if the rise in enrollment could be a result of  leasing space at Fairmount for its preschool for a few months last year while the building underwent renovations, and Leeds said yes.*

The proposal has not come to a resolution. Watch Beachwood Patch for updates as they become available.

*Editor's Note: The original version of this article said that the JCC preschool had closed.