District Five now accepting applications for its tuition-based 4K program

Lexington-Richland School District Five is now accepting applications for its tuition-based 4-year-old kindergarten program.

The district is slated to expand its EXCEL (Exposing Children to Early Learning) 4K program next school year, with plans to offer it at River Springs Elementary School in addition to the original site at Irmo Elementary School. Applications are currently being accepted, and the program is available to any families living within the district regardless of school zone.

“District Five believes that all families should have access to quality 4-year-old kindergarten,” said Dr. Christina Melton, District Five’s Chief Instructional Officer. “This is not just childcare. We offer our 4-year-old students a high-quality educational experience, including certified teachers, standards-based curriculum, ability-based instruction and special area classes. The program is a continuation of our efforts to make sure our community’s needs are met and students achieve success throughout their academic careers.”

The EXCEL 4K program has been offered at Irmo Elementary School for several years, and the new planned site at River Springs Elementary will mark an expansion of the District Five program. School officials say growing EXCEL 4K will give more families in the district an opportunity to see the program’s benefits and impacts on students.

“We are excited to offer the EXCEL program at our school,” said River Springs Elementary Principal Melanie Cohen. “We know that students who discover a love of learning early on have the strong foundation that follows them throughout their educational career. River Springs Elementary is proud to develop lifelong learners and extend that to 4-year-olds through the EXCEL 4K program.”

Irmo Elementary School Principal Tina McCaskill added, “EXCEL 4K really is about getting students socially and emotionally ready for school. Students and parents leave the program more confident and ready for their first day of kindergarten.”

Above: District Five EXCEL 4K teacher Carianne Johnson talks with students as part of the class’ daily routine. The district is planning to expand its tuition-based 4-year-old kindergarten program for the upcoming school year. Currently housed at Irmo Elementary School, the district’s EXCEL (Exposing Children to Early Learning) is slated to also be available at River Springs Elementary School next fall.

District Five offers both needs-based and tuition-based 4-year-old kindergarten programs. Needs-based, tuition-free 4K classes are offered throughout District Five, and priority for placement is given to students with the greatest school readiness needs as determined by the district’s screening process.

School officials say tuition-based programs like EXCEL provide an option for students who do not meet the criteria for the district’s needs-based pre-K program. At a cost of $150 weekly, EXCEL is a self-sufficient program. No state or local funding is used; and tuition covers the costs of its teachers, operations and other expenses. After school care is available at both school sites. Screening is not required for the EXCEL 4K program, and parents must provide transportation for students.

“We are fortunate in District Five to have great options for 4-year-old kindergarten,” said Director of Elementary Education Michael Guliano. “Our needs-based programs are helping to address early educational needs and put students on a course to success, and our tuition-based program gives families the option to start their students a year early and tap all the resources available through District Five. We look forward to expanding the EXCEL program this upcoming school year, planning a new site at River Springs Elementary School and seeing all the benefits of 4K for our young scholars.”

Spots are limited, and admission into the EXCEL program is filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Parents and guardians should note that opening the new class site at River Springs Elementary School is dependent upon the program’s ability to sign up 20 students for the 2016-2017 school year.

To apply, parents must call or visit either Irmo Elementary School (7401 Gibbes Street, Irmo, S.C. 29063) or River Springs Elementary School (115 Connie Wright Road; Irmo, S.C. 29063). For more information about District Five’s EXCEL tuition-based 4K program, call Irmo Elementary School at 476-4200 or River Springs Elementary School at 476-4400.

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