Cost of All-Day Kindergarten Decreases

Winchester parents who are enrolling their children in the All-Day Kindergarten program will see next year’s tuition decrease.

The current rate for the 2011-2012 school year is $1,025. Next year that number will decrease to $995.

“The program has been very successful the past three years and I have every expectation that success will continue,” said Superintendent William McAlduff.

The School Committee unanimously voted to approve the new rate. According to McAlduff, the tuition is based on how much it will cost for the school department to break even. 

McAlduff said that the current paid enrollment for 2012 is 282 out of 331 students or 85 percent. The paid enrollment last year was 78 percent.

“While I cannot predict that participation will increase beyond 85 percent, I do have a high level of confidence that the participation rate will remain steady,” McAlduff said.

Currently, All-Day Kindergarten is offered three days a week. According to McAlduff, the school department may increase the program to four or five days in the future, but that decision will be put for another year.

“There was some internal discussion about expanding beyond three days, however, the consensus is to wait one more year and seriously consider expansion in line with the opening of the new Vinson-Owen School and redistricting,” McAlduff said.