Community Consolidated School District 89 partners with the federal Head Start program to offer a preschool program specifically designed to close the learning gaps for students from low-income families. CCSD 89 opened the Head Start preschool classroom at Westfield Elementary School in the 2019-20 school year.

The Head Start preschool classroom is open to 3- to 5-year-old students who qualify. In general, students in the free Head Start program are children who have an identified educational need, but cannot pay for the district’s typically developing preschool program.

The CCSD 89 Head Start program is funded by the federal government through grants awarded to community agencies. For CCSD 89, the program will be run through Metropolitan Family Services DuPage. To find out more about the CCSD 89 Head Start preschool program, call Metropolitan Family Services at (630) 784-4801.

CCSD 89 Superintendent Dr. Emily K. Tammaru praised the Head Start program as one of the early interventions that can have a significant impact on students from poverty. When learning and opportunity gaps are reduced, students’ cognitive and social skills increase, leading to long-term success in school and beyond.

The staff, materials, food, transportation, and professional development for the Head Start are paid for through the federal grant. CCSD 89 provides in-kind donations of classroom space and cleaning services.