Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. will expand the number of its prekindergarten sites this fall thanks to $71,250 in state grant funding.
The money will help increase its On My Way Pre-K program sites from two to four.
Currently, pre-K classes are available at Busy Bees Academy and Taylorsville Elementary. In the fall, Columbus Signature Academy — Fodrea campus and Parkside Elementary will be added.
Even though this doesn’t increase the number of openings for students in the On My Way Pre-K program, what the grant funding will do is significant because it provides greater choice and access for families.
Whereas students could participate in the program at one of only two locations previously, the additional two should help parents find a location even closer to where they live — a significant consideration if transportation is a challenge.
This is a step toward serving the population of 4-year-olds eligible to participate in the program even better.
Bartholomew Consolidated can serve only a fraction of 1,100 eligible 4-year-olds — about 20 percent — because of the county’s ability to produce matching funds needed to support the program’s capacity. So, some children who could benefit from the program are on a waiting list.
Until capacity is expanded, a greater number of sites is a good step to make participation for those in the program a bit easier.
