City of Seattle, WA

03/15/2023 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/16/2023 12:10

Seattle Preschool Program Adds 7 New Classrooms; Applications for 2023-24 School Year Now Open

Seattle's award-winning preschool program is expanding to 89 sites citywide, including 28 dual-language classrooms supporting instruction in eight languages.

This morning in Columbia City, DEEL welcomed its newest partner into the Seattle Preschool Program (SPP). La Escuelita Bilingual School will add three new dual-language classrooms to the program-two in Columbia City and one at their Greenlake location.

Mayor Bruce Harrell, Councilmember Tammy Morales, La Escuelita Education Director MariSol Masso Lincoln, and preschool parent Rosa Aguilar, all spoke at this morning's press conference to announce the seven-classroom expansion of SPP and the opening of applications for the 2023-2024 school year.

Read the full press announcement on Mayor Harrell's blog and get the full list of expansion sites here.

[Link]La Escuelita staff and students with City education leaders[Link]La Escuelita preschoolers engage in play-based learning[Link]L to R: Parent and teacher Rosa Aguilar, Site Director Chavely Cherena Vega, DEEL Dual Language Project Manager Daniel Perez, La Escuelita Education Director MariSol Masso Lincoln, DEEL Early Learning Division Director, Leilani Dela Cruz, and DEEL Director, Dr. Dwane Chappelle. [Link]Preschool parent Rosa Aguilar shares in Spanish about the impact of dual-language instruction for her son, while La Escuelita Education Director MariSol Masso Lincoln interprets and City education leaders listen at this morning's Seattle Preschool Program press announcement.

Research shows that children who attend high-quality preschool programs have better academic and life outcomes and are more likely to have better grades, graduate, attend college, and enjoy better mental and physical health. SPP is designed to provide equitable access to high-quality early learning experiences for all Seattle's children, regardless of background, zip code, or household income.

Parents can learn more and apply at seattle.gov/applyspp, email [email protected] or call 206-386-1050. Applications are available in multiple languages, and in-language support is available to guide parents through the application process. A full list of SPP providers is accessible online at seattle.gov/applyspp.