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Princeton Regional School's Pre-school Program
Registration for the 2012-13 school year will be held in February 7-9, 2012
for the integrated pre-school and Kindergarten programs - after these dates please contact the
elementary school that your child will be attending to set up an appointment to register / enroll.
 The District opened its first half-day integrated pre-school classroom, in 2004-05, to serve four-year olds and in 2005-06 opened its second classroom. Then, in 2008-09, we made important changes to our integrated pre-school program in response to the State’s new pre-school expansion initiative. We expanded both of our integrated pre-school classrooms from half-day to full-day. Specialized pre-school classrooms for three- and four-year old students with disabilities first opened in 2003-04. A pre-school class specifically
designed to meet the needs of the young autistic child opened in 2005.
ELIGIBILITY FOR INTEGRATED PRE-SCHOOL CLASSES
Students who are eligible for the free and reduced meals program and students with disabilities are eligible to enroll in the district's pre-school program at no cost. Other students are required to pay tuition, if spaces are available. The tuition for 2012-13 will be $9,500. The income guidelines for the free/reduced meals program are listed below:
FREE/REDUCED MEALS PROGRAM FEDERAL INCOME CHART* For School Year 2010-2011 |
Household size
|
Yearly |
Monthly |
Weekly |
1 |
$20,036 |
$1,607 |
$386 |
2 |
$26,955 |
$2,247 |
$519 |
3 |
$33,874 |
$2,823 |
$652 |
4 |
$40,793 |
$3,400 |
$785 |
5 |
$47,712 |
$3,976 |
$918 |
6 |
$54,631 |
$4,553 |
$1,051 |
7 |
$61,550 |
$5,130 |
$1,184 |
8 |
$68,469 |
$5,706 |
$1,317 |
Each additional person add: |
$6,919 |
$577 |
$134 |
*Your children may qualify for free or reduced price meals if your household income falls within the limits on this chart. Your family will be asked to fill out a free/reduced meals program application when you register and again before school begins in 2011-12 to determine eligibility.
INTEGRATED PRE-SCHOOL CLASSES
The integrated pre-school classes will continue to be housed at two of the District’s four elementary schools – Johnson Park School and Riverside School.
- At Johnson Park School, the integrated pre-school classroom has expanded to a full-day program and provides spaces for up to 18 four-year olds per session.
- At Riverside School, the integrated pre-school classroom has expanded to a full-day program and offers spaces for up to 18 four-year olds per session.
Other important changes in the District’s pre-school program include incorporating special education services required to support the integrated program in-district. The District hired a speech and language therapist who will work exclusively with the in-district pre-school programs (both special education and general education classes) and will be part of a team that conducts pre-school evaluations for the Princeton community.
For information about pre-school services for four-year old children who live in Princeton, please contact the Student Services Office at 609/806-4206.
Highlights of our integrated pre-school program include:
- The High/Scope Curriculum was selected for all district pre-school programs. We are working closely with High/Scope trainers who visit the district four times a year to lead workshops and visit classrooms. http://www.nj.gov/education/ece/curriculum/curriculum.htm
- Each classroom will have a certified teacher and a qualified teaching assistant(s).
- Each integrated pre-school classroom will serve a mix of children with disabilities, children eligible for the free and reduced lunch meal program and students enrolled in the general education program. The blend of students in each classroom will vary from year to year based on the number of children who are eligible for the program.
- Opening integrated pre-school classrooms helps the District meet other important state requirements, e.g., increasing opportunities for special education students to learn with their peers in “the least restrictive environment.”
PRE-SCHOOL CLASSES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
In addition to the integrated pre-school classes, the District has also established two self-contained classrooms for students on the autism spectrum and students with other disabilities.
Riverside School hosts classes for pre-school (and elementary age students) on the autism spectrum. Many of these students spend a portion of their day in the integrated pre-school class. The autism classroom’s high adult-to-student ratio allows for significant support within both the autism and integrated classrooms increasing student opportunities to participate in the general education program. This is a full-day program.
Johnson Park School hosts a pre-school class for students with disabilities. Many of these students spend part of their day in the integrated pre-school class. This is a half-day program with both a morning and afternoon session offered. Up to six pre-school disabled students, with moderate to more severe disabilities who require self-contained programming, will be served in each session.
Highlights of our pre-school classes for students with disabilities include:
- A certified teacher and instructional assistants in each classroom.
- Autism program staff are highly qualified with strong skills and extensive experience in autism program development and in the delivery of an applied behavioral analysis instructional program.
- Supervision is provided by the building principal and Supervisor of Special Education with the assistance and consultation of the school’s Child Study Team
- Related services (speech, occupational therapy and adaptive physical education) are provided to these students. Physical therapy services are available as needed.
- Transportation is provided by the District with pick-up and drop-off arrangements made by the Transportation Office.
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