It’s never too early for children to get “a head start” in preparing for their academic future.
Northside ISD partners with the Family Service Head Start program to offer services for children ages six-weeks to five-years-old. Early Head Start is for children six-weeks to three-years-old, and Head Start is for those from three to five-years-old.
Studies have found that children who attended high-quality early childhood programs were less likely to be placed in special education, less likely to be retained in a grade, and more likely to graduate from high school than peers who did not attend such programs. The early years are critical in laying the groundwork for literacy learning.
The Head Start program serves families who are living at or below the poverty level. The program offers half-day and full-day classes at 15 NISD campuses: Boone, Brauchle, Cable, Carlos Coon, Esparza, Evers, Fernandez, Glenn, Knowlton, Linton, Mary Hull, Meadow Village, Passmore, Rhodes, and Ward elementary schools.
Besides classroom instruction, Head Start also offers a full array of services including access to medical, dental, and mental health resources, special needs and disabilities support, and family engagement opportunities.
Head Start classes are taught by a qualified teacher and teacher assistant and the concept-based curriculum is aligned to NISD standards.
“By providing early intervention programs such as Head Start, we are able to provide a solid academic foundation for these students as well as help them develop social and emotional tools in order to be successful,” says Dr. Brian Woods, NISD Superintendent. “These programs are essential as they prepare to enter Kindergarten and beyond.”
Enrollment in the Head Start program is ongoing. Visit the Family Service Headstart webpage to find out if you are eligible or to register.
For additional information, call 210-299-2740 or email headstart@nisd.net.
