Phoenix Elementary District outlines preschool expansion, new tuition and data showing higher third‑grade outcomes

Phoenix Elementary School District officials on May 4 told the governing board they will expand preschool seats, add a dual‑language preschool and continue a tuition-based model while seeking ways to preserve access for low‑income families.

Dr. Seth Ailshire, filling in for the superintendent, opened the study session by saying the presentation would cover program design, enrollment and longitudinal outcomes. Principal Angela Eddington described Faith North Early Childhood Learning Center as a five‑star Quality First site with 10 classrooms (five general‑education, five self‑contained) and an inclusion model she said produced a roughly 70% inclusion rate in state data. Eddington said Faith North will not accept open enrollment because it is a free in‑district program; by contrast, Emerson, Kenilworth and Lowell operate tuition‑based full‑day programs.

"We are a 5‑star Quality First site," Eddington said. "We're proud of the inclusive classrooms, and our staff is dual certified to support both general and special‑education needs." She said Faith North offers before‑and‑after care through a Y Academy partnership that includes transportation, and that some families can use DES childcare…