The number of children enrolled in preschool and kindergarten classes in the Fairmont Area School District is higher this year than in recent years, according to District Administrators.
Fairmont Elementary School Co-Principal Michelle Rosen believes the increase is due in part to voluntary pre-Kindergarten funding. VPK is preschool for four and five year olds that’s paid by the state. Its purpose is to prepare children for kindergarten the following school year.
Four and five year olds in preschool at Fairmont Elementary School have half day classes five days a week. There are about 20 students in a section and Rosen said they’ve added a fifth section of preschool this year, which has allowed them to eliminate the waiting list they had in the past.
There are about 130 students enrolled in kindergarten this year. Last year there were about 120 and Rosen said they usually get a few right after school starts.
Back to school conferences for students in the Fairmont Area School District will take place Tuesday and Wednesday, with students will begin the new school year on Thursday.