Phoenixville Approves Full Day Kindergarten

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Phoenixville has approved full day kindergarten beginning in the 2019-20 school year, the district determined during a school board meeting Thursday night.

School officials cited data that full day kindergarten results in a more diverse early education experience and better test scores.

"Full-Day K directly aligns with the District's strategic plan," School Board President Eric Daugherty said in a statement Friday. "It will support delivery of a high-quality education for all, and should be particularly impactful for at-risk students and addressing the achievement gap."

The Board voted 7-2 in favor of the measure.

It marks another major determination made the board, following the January decision to push back school start times.

Full day kindergarten has been a subject of consideration in Phoenixville for some time, with the district running a full day pilot program for the past three years. Results from the pilot showed increased learning through socialization and play when students spend the full day in the same classroom with the same students and the same teacher. Students adjusted more smoothly to routines over a full day, the district said, and they also had a better sense of community and team work.

There will also be two recess periods of 30 minutes each to ensure that students have time for play.

The transition will begin in fall 2019, which means the district is moving on from the split program that involves Magic Memories and the YMCA.