THE ACADEMIC CORNER
Pre-K program leads the way in school readiness

The Pre-K Program at Washington Wilkes Elementary School serves 100 four-year-old children. The Pre-K is in its third year on the elementary school campus, having previously been housed at Washington-Wilkes Primary School.

The Pre-K program at W-WES is open to all Wilkes County four year olds who are four by September 1. The program is voluntary for both children and communities, and students are accepted on

first come, first served basis.

Principal Wanda Jenkins serves as the Pre-K Project Director and Patricia Wilder serves as the Resource Coordinator. The Pre-K faculty is made up of five lead teachers and five teaching assistants. Mrs. Terry Roberts works with the Pre-K teachers to serve students with disabilities in the regular classroom.

The Pre-K Program at Washington Wilkes Elementary School uses the High/Scope curriculum model of instruction and the Work Sampling System for assessment. Both are research-based. All PreK faculty members have extensive training in the implementation of this curriculum, which provides instruction in the areas of language, mathematical, and scientific development, social studies, and creative, physical, and social/ emotional development. All WWES Pre-K lead teachers are certified and highly qualified according to the requirements of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC). All Pre-K teaching assistants meet the paraprofessional certification requirements set by the PSC.

The Georgia Pre-K Program began in 1992 as a pilot program serving 750 at-risk four-year children at 20 sites around the state. In 1993, the first lottery funds were used to provide for additional sites, increasing the number of atrisk students who were served to over 8,700. In 1995, the program was opened to all eligible fouryear old children, not just those from at-risk families. Since that time, Pre-K sites have opened throughout the state of Georgia in both the private and public sectors. The program that started with 750 children has expanded to serve over 68,000 children statewide. The Georgia Pre-K program is recognized as the most successful prekindergarten effort in the nation today!

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