Iowa City preschool program expands with new full day options for every elementary school

The Iowa City School Board convened on April 22, 2025, to discuss significant updates regarding the district's preschool programs, particularly focusing on the expansion of full-day offerings for the upcoming school year. The meeting highlighted the success of the current full-day preschool pilot, which has seen a substantial increase in enrollment and positive feedback from parents and educators alike.

The session began with a presentation from Kristen Peterson and her team, who provided insights into the full-day preschool program's performance. Currently, there are six sites offering full-day preschool, with a total of 110 students enrolled and waiting lists in place. In addition, 545 students are enrolled in half-day programs, bringing the total preschool enrollment to 655 students, the highest number recorded to date.

The board noted that the full-day program has tripled its enrollment from the previous year, increasing from 34 to 110 students. This expansion allows for 2.5 more hours of learning each day compared to half-day options, which has positively impacted student readiness for kindergarten. Data collected indicates that 90% of full-day students meet kindergarten readiness expectations across all domains, compared to 82-89% in half-day programs.

Feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive, with 81% expressing satisfaction with the full-day option. Parents appreciate the opportunity for their children to attend the same school as their siblings and feel that their children are better prepared for kindergarten. However, some areas for improvement were identified, including the desire for breakfast options, more consistent arrival times, and additional planning time for teachers.

Looking ahead, the district plans to offer full-day preschool options at every elementary school in the fall, with 23 full-day sections anticipated. This expansion will require some construction projects to accommodate the new classrooms. Additionally, 11 buildings will provide after-school programming for four-year-olds, further enhancing the preschool experience.

The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism about the future of the preschool program, as the board members discussed ongoing efforts to meet the needs of students and families within the Iowa City Community School District. The next steps include finalizing enrollment numbers and preparing for the upcoming school year, ensuring that all students receive the support and resources necessary for their educational journey.