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Quarles Early Childhood Center highlights Apple recognition, full preschool enrollment and $6,000 PNC grant
Summary
Principal Arlene N. G. told the Englewood Board of Education the Donald A. Quarles Early Childhood Center is an Apple Distinguished School, is fully funded for preschool, and has a wait list as registration opens for 2025–26; the school also reported midyear assessment data and new family outreach plans.
Arlene N. G., principal of the Donald A. Quarles Early Childhood Center, told the Englewood Board of Education on April 24 that Quarles is the only early childhood center in New Jersey recognized as an Apple Distinguished School and that the district’s preschool program is fully funded by the New Jersey Department of Education.
The recognition reflects Quarles’s 1:1 device initiative and use of technology in the classroom. "Every student is provided with an iPad to use both at school and home," Arlene N. G. said in her presentation, noting teachers are Apple-certified and that "over 85% of teachers [feel] well prepared in teaching with technology." The principal also shared a video tour and examples of classroom practice and family engagement.
Why it matters: Quarles serves as the district’s primary preschool pipeline and the Apple Distinguished School designation is rare for an early childhood center. Board members said the visit schedule on May 9—when the board will tour Quarles, Greco and McLeod—will help trustees see classrooms and programs firsthand.
Midyear data provided by the school showed mixed results across age groups. The presentation reported that at midyear: - Preschool 3 ELA: 55% exceeding expectations; Math: 57% exceeding expectations. - Preschool 4 ELA: 76% exceeding expectations; Math: 84% exceeding expectations. - Kindergarten midyear results: 33% showing mastery in ELA; 40% at mastery in math or exceeding expectations (figures reported by the principal).
The board asked whether those differences were due to age and curriculum changes. "The expectations are definitely more different from preschool to kindergarten...The rigor and the expectations are definitely higher in kindergarten," the principal said, adding the district also has a transient student population and a number of English language learners who enroll directly in kindergarten.
Quarles reported total enrollment of 448 students across preschool 3, preschool 4 and kindergarten, including 45 students placed at Bergen Family Center under the district’s contracted provider arrangement. The presentation said the district’s preschool capacity (preschool 3 and preschool 4 combined) is 224 seats and that there is an active wait list; Quarles staff confirmed registration for 2025–26 is open and that preschool eligibility requires Englewood residency and that enrollment counts are determined by DOE funding allocations.
During the presentation the principal also announced a $6,000 grant from PNC Bank to support volunteer and family engagement work at Quarles and said the school is expecting another donation on May 7.
Board President Feinstein and other trustees encouraged community outreach and noted the district distributes pamphlets, uses local media (for example, La Mega) and the community parent involvement specialist to promote preschool registration.
Ending: Board members who asked about capacity and enrollment were told the district will continue outreach and that detailed tours for trustees are scheduled for May 9. The school principal said open enrollment continues and that family workshops and transition activities will run through the end of the school year.
