Avon Preschool Program Earns 5-Stars from State

AVON, OH - An Avon school program has earned a prestigious honor from the state of Ohio. The Avon Soaring Little Eagles Preschool Program has received a Five-Star Step Up To Quality Award, the highest honor bestowed by the state.

The Step Up To Quality program is administered by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). The system is based on a five-star system (five stars being the highest possible award).

The Avon Local Schools' Soaring Little Eagles Preschool Program is a collaborative program with the Educational Service Center of Lorain County and is housed at the Avon Early Learning Center in Avon.

According to ODJFS and ODE, in addition to meeting all standards of a four-star rating, programs with five stars may also:

• Have lower staff/child ratios.
• Use child assessment results to plan activities that best support learning and development goals for each child.
• Share assessment results and create goals for children.
• Develop plans to support children as they transition to a new classroom or educational setting.
• Work with other organizations or businesses within the community to support children and their families.
• Have an active and organized parent volunteer group.
• Use input from families and community partners’ inform the program’s continuous improvement process.
• Have accreditation by an approved organization.

“The 5-star Step-up-to-Quality rating received by the Avon Soaring Little Eagles Preschool Program is a direct result of dedicated staff who value quality services for Avon learners and their families,” said Deb Dennis, Avon Local Schools director of special education services, in a statement. “It provides collaborative opportunities for the preschool and kindergarten staff to smoothly transition children to and ensure readiness for the next levels of learning.”

To learn more, visit earlychildhoodohio.org or go to avonlocalschools.org.

Photo from the CDC, Amanda Mills