Charlottesville plans consolidated Early Learning Center, aims for "kindergarten strong" entry

Charlottesville City Schools on Oct. 30 presented a plan to consolidate the district’s preschool programs into a dedicated Early Learning Center that staff say will create a single, licensed site offering extended-day services and a stronger pathway into kindergarten.

Dr. Korab, the division’s early learning leader and principal for the initiative, told the board the center will open with about 60 staff and roughly 200 students on site this year and use a single improvement plan to align instructional and operational work. “We are going to be the Colts,” Korab said, describing the chosen program name and colors. “We are the young horses.”

District leaders said consolidation will allow the ELC to operate under a single license, enable aftercare partnerships and create consistent instructional approaches across preschool and kindergarten. Korab said the division will use the school improvement plan as the organizing template and will prioritize foundational literacy, math, executive functioning, family engagement and developmental…