Funds Awarded for Prekindergarten Expansion in State of Maryland

 

BALTIMORE The Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Early Childhood has awarded 50 grants aimed at serving four-year-olds in high-quality prekindergarten classrooms in Maryland.

In total, 19 school systems have been funded for one or more additional PreK classrooms. In addition, 31 community-based, Head Start and other programs in 12 jurisdictions have been funded. Approximately $26.6 million in grant awards will provide four-year-old children from low-income families access to full-day prekindergarten during school year 2019-2020.

“Early learning programs provide a strong educational foundation for our state’s youngest learners,” said Governor Hogan. “These grants are a much-needed investment in Maryland’s future generation and will allow for increased access to these programs for youth across the state.”

These funds allow school systems and early childhood programs to increase the length of the school-day from a half-day to a full-day, fund highly qualified and certified Early Childhood teachers in each classroom, and serve more vulnerable children who otherwise would not have access to the early education they need for success in school. Maryland’s statewide plan expands high-quality prekindergarten, provides intensive technical assistance, and ensures comprehensive services are accessible in many high-need communities.

“Providing quality early learning opportunities for students will establish a strong foundation to help accelerate learning,” said Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools.  “Strong early education programs help our children refine the skills they need to be successful both in and out of the classroom.”

Funds for these grants were made possible by HB 1415 – Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, passed by the Maryland Legislature and signed into law by the Governor in 2018.

Allegany County – $130,000

Baltimore City – $1,055,000

Baltimore County – $1,000,000

Caroline County – $1,470,000

Carroll County – $468,855

Charles County – $100,000

Dorchester – $1,405,000

Frederick County – $575,000

Garrett County – $125,000

Harford County – $1,800,000

Howard County – $660,000

Montgomery County – $1,580,000

Prince Georges County – $3,110,000

Queen Anne’s County – $500,000

Somerset County – $200,000

St. Mary’s County – $300,000

Talbot County – $850,000

Washington County – $1,675,000

Wicomico County – $2,000,000

 

Community-based, Head Start, and other Programs receiving funds are:

 

A World of Friends School – $300,000

Academy Child Development Centers – $700,000

Alef Bet Montessori – $100,000

Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School – $185,000

Berlin Education Station – $200,000

Catholic Charities Head Start of Carroll County- $195,000

Centronia – $600,000

Children’s Center of Walkersville – $94,844

Community Action Council of Howard County Head Start – $1,060,000

Crossway Community Montessori – $100,000

God’s Little Angels Learning Center – $150,000

Head Start of Washington County – $100,000

Hearing and Speech Agency (HASA) – $100,000

Kennedy Krieger Center for Autism and Related Disorders – $150,000

Kids Campus Early Learning Center – $80,000

Largo Park Early Childhood Center – $200,000

Little Flowers Early Childhood and Development Center – $200,000

New Beginnings Christian Learning Center – $200,000

Optimal Learning School – $200,000

PACT: Helping Children with Special Needs – $120,000

Peppertree Children’s Center – $150,000

Saint Francis International School – $300,000

Saint Vincent de Paul Head Start – $195,000

The Arc of Montgomery County, Karasik Family, Infant, and Child Care Center – $150,000

The Goddard School in Owings Mills – $100,000

The Lourie Center for Children’s Social and Emotional Wellness – $240,000

Themba Creative Learning Center – $300,000

Union Baptist Head Start – $250,000

Wee Lad and Lassie Early Learning Center – $70,000

White Marsh Child Care Center – $350,000

YMCA of Central Maryland Head Start – $500,000