It’s all about little learners at Kooken Educational Center. In fact, Kooken is the only school in the Arlington ISD dedicated exclusively to only one grade level – pre-K for 3-year-olds.
But that’s not the only thing that makes Kooken so special.
“What makes Kooken special is our ability to serve, make connections and design all learning experiences for our 3-year-olds and their families,” said Kooken principal Elizabeth Huebner.
Even though there is only one grade level at Kooken, there are four different pre-K 3 programs at the school to make sure there is a perfect place for every child.
- Free half-day pre-K 3 – This is Arlington ISD’s best-in-class pre-K for 3-year-olds. It’s a half-day of fun, exploration and learning. It’s free for families who qualify.
- Bilingual pre-K – Bilingual pre-K is for native Spanish speakers. Teachers speak both Spanish and English and teach in both languages.
- Head Start pre-K PLUS – This is a unique program that combines the services of Arlington ISD and Head Start to provide a child-centered, play-focused education while also offering resources that support parents. This is the only pre-K 3 program that is full-day, and families must qualify.
- Tuition Based pre-K 3 – This is for families who don’t qualify for the free program, when space allows. It’s the most affordable pre-K out there and it’s still the same great half-day of fun and learning.
WHY PRE-K 3?
“Early childhood learning is crucial for building a strong foundation for students’ futures, both academically and socially,” Huebner said. “Through rich learning experiences, they experience valuable socialization skills and develop a strong and critical academic foundation.”
Parents who enroll their children into pre-K 3 give their child a jump start on their peers.
“Kids get their foundation in pre-K 3,” said Staci Nelson, a former pre-K teacher at Kooken. “They learn to self-regulate and learn how to be learners. When they move on to pre-K 4, they will be prepared for full-day study.”
Pre-K 3 lays that foundation for a lifetime of success.
“Seeing where the little ones begin in August and where they are in May is amazing,” Nelson said.
The biggest reason the students experience such tremendous growth is because of the outstanding teachers and the opportunities they provide.
“Our teachers also provide such rich and bountiful opportunities extending past the classroom walls – through the STREAM Maker lab, Outdoor Classroom and pre-K yoga – while still focusing on social-emotional skills,” said Stephanie Ross, Kooken’s instructional coach.
KOOKEN FAMILY
Even with four different pre-K 3 programs, Kooken is one big family and does a lot to build community.
“When families walk through our doors, they are part of the Koala family, or what we like to call ourselves, the SUPER (Supportive, Unified, Positive, Engaging and Responsible) Dream Team,” Huebner said. “Every faculty member assists in family engagement. Whether it is enrollment, parenting classes, family nights or learning experiences.”
JOIN THE FAMILY
Join the Kooken family and register your 3-year-old for pre-K at Kooken today. You can start the process online here or make an appointment to visit the school. You can also check out Kooken’s YouTube channel here.
Learn more about all of our outstanding pre-K programs throughout the district at aisd.net/prek and feel free to contact the pre-K team at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net with any of your questions.
And check out this post with lots of important dates and details about pre-K registration.