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About APS Preschool

The Preschool/Early Learning Program (ELP) provides educational opportunities for children ages 3-5. The PreK/Early Childhood program is designed to meet the educational needs of typically developing children, as well as those with special needs, and is licensed by the Ohio Department of Education Office of Early Learning and School Readiness (OELSR). All preschool teachers hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees and are licensed through the Ohio Department of Education.
 

Preschool sets students up for successful academic careers by developing school readiness skills. Students who attend a structured program prior to entering kindergarten are more inclined to:

  • Follow class rules
  • Follow directions
  • Get along with peers and adults
  • Know their alphabet, colors and other key academic measures
  • Work independently

We offer morning or afternoon sessions, five days a week, on the APS calendar. Tuition is on a sliding fee scale with the majority of families attending free of charge. All students receive free breakfast or lunch.

APS currently offers two preschool-only buildings:

  • Stewart Preschool (Main site)
  • Essex Preschool

Preschool is also offered at the following schools throughout the district:

  • Barber CLC
  • Case CLC
  • Crouse CLC
  • Mason CLC
  • North High School (Early Childhood Education program)
  • Reach Opportunity Center at Summit Lake
  • Rimer CLC
  • Robinson CLC
  • Sam Salem CLC
  • Windemere CLC

Preschool Enrollment and Registration:

To enroll, children must be three years old by Sept. 30 of the academic year and must live within the APS district boundaries. Special education students are eligible as soon as they turn three years old. Start pre-registration here: https://www.akronschools.com/departments/registration___enrollment.

For further information for typically developing children, contact Melissa Milford at 330.761.3296. For children with special needs, contact Lisa Messina, at 330.761.3296.

Preschool Support Services for Special Education Students:

  • Audio services
  • Occupational and physical therapy
  • Regular visits from an itinerant special education teacher
  • Behavior services
  • Speech/language therapy
  • Transportation

For more information: Early Learning Program, 330.761.3296, preschool@apslearns.org

Preschool

History of Preschool

 
(need history)