Princeton Schools Announces 4 New Preschool Classes In 2023

PRINCETON, NJ - Princeton Public Schools announced it will expand its preschool program in September next year, by adding four new classes to the existing program.

This will increase the number of preschool students from 90 to 150. Currently, PPS has preschool programs at Johnson Park and Riverside School.

“I am thrilled that we will be able to significantly expand our successful preschool program,” Superintendent Carol Kelley said . “One of our key goals is to support the needs of our early learners, ages three to grade three. We are fortunate to have strong community partners in this endeavor.”

PPS began expanding its preschool program in 2019 when the district was awarded expansion aid by the NJ Department of Education.

New preschool classes will be offered at Community Park School, the Princeton Community Family Learning Center, and in partnership with the Princeton Housing Authority at Redding Circle and the Pannell Learning Center on Clay Street.

The Princeton YMCA will operate preschool classes at Redding Circle and the Pannell Learning Center, in addition to the classroom they currently operate at Marcy T. Crimmins Learning Center.

Felicia Spitz, Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners, Princeton Housing Authority, said the organization was excited to partner with PPS in the preschool program. “We are looking forward to seeing more children in the Princeton community have access to high-quality preschool programs and thrilled that we will be able to host two of those classrooms. If we all work together and lend our respective resources, we can make Princeton an even better place for children to grow and thrive,” Spitz said.

The Community Park preschool class will be a dual-language immersion class for 4-year-olds. Community Park offers a Dual Language Immersion program in Spanish and English that is open to all PPS students.

The other new preschool class will be offered in partnership with the Princeton Community Family Learning Center at 16 All Saints Road. This location will support a mixed-aged classroom of three- and four-year-olds, the school district said.

Princeton will receive additional aid from the state to support the four new classrooms

“Quality early childhood education removes the predictability of students’ success or failure that correlate with any social or cultural factors,” Kelley said.

In the past, there has been a strong demand for free preschool in the community and there have been waiting lists for all classes, according to Valerie Ulrich, Supervisor of Preschool and Special Projects.

Information sessions are planned for January and February and more details will be posted on the school district’s website. Depending on demand, there may be a lottery for preschool admission, according to PPS. Preschool and kindergarten registration takes place in February.

Information sessions about the DLI program at Community Park is scheduled for Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. and Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. Registration information is available on the school district’s website.

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