$1.4M Grant For Pre-K At Gloucester Township Schools

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Gloucester Township K-8 Public School District will receive $1,451,363 to expand its preschool program by Oct. 1, Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Wednesday.

It is one of 28 districts that will receive funding, allowing about 1,450 additional children across the state to attend a quality preschool this school year.

“New Jersey has long been considered a leader in early childhood education, and I am proud that we are now bringing about the greatest growth in preschool that this state has seen so far this century,” Murphy said “Educating our children at this critical age will give them a strong start in academics and a desire to learn.”

High-quality preschool programs are identified as transitioning to a full-day program, with a certificated teacher, an aide, small class sizes, and inclusive of children with special needs who have an individualized education program.

Gloucester Township and the other 27 school districts implementing or expanding to high-quality preschool programs this school year have at least 20 percent of their student population receiving free or reduced lunch or had been receiving partial state funding to address pockets of poverty.