LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. (KCTV) — Prairie View Elementary School in Lee’s Summit will offer free preschool for 200 students, thanks to two state grants from Missouri.
The first grant, the Preschool Start-up Grant, awarded $50,000 for the school’s new nine Pre-K classrooms, contributing to a total of $450,000 in upgrades. Dr. Jesi Cygan, the LR-7 Director of Student Support, announced the funding.
The second grant, provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), is the Missouri Quality Pre-K Local Education Agency Grant. This grant allows families to save $6,800 in preschool costs. “We’re thrilled to share this news with our families,” Cygan said. “They’re feeling very positive about it.”
The Pre-K program will feature 14 paraprofessionals and nine teachers, with 20 students per class, ensuring a 10-to-1 adult-to-student ratio.
Pre-K Director Katie Burt is finalizing the new classrooms ahead of the school year, which begins on August 21st. The curriculum will include Project Construct, focusing on teacher-student interactions and child-led activities similar to playtime.
Additionally, the program will use Conscious Discipline, a social-emotional learning curriculum based on brain research. This approach helps students manage their emotions and behaviors in high-stress situations.
Dr. Cygan noted that efforts to secure the grants began in fall 2023, with discussions led by district leadership, including Superintendent Dr. David Buck. Community members and the school board explored successful Pre-K programs in other districts to develop their own plan.
By March, they had a plan in place and have since exceeded their expectations. While most classes are full, a few half-day spots remain available as of Wednesday morning.