Lewiston Independent School District No. 1, has three preschools. One at Normal Hill Campus, Head Start, and new this year is the Webster preschool classroom.
Webster Preschool was launched at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year as a pilot preschool program for 3- and 4-year-olds. One of the reasons it was started was as a retention and recruitment piece for district employees – one of the goals of the district’s strategic plan. Six of the students are children of employees or community members who pay tuition for childcare and instruction for their children. These children act as “near-peers” for the other six students who have been identified as developmentally needing a little extra assistance to make adequate growth.
“We believe that students who need additional intervention will grow faster if they are in a classroom with near peers. The near peers will help the other students grow faster due to modeling,” says Peggy Flerchinger, Director of Special Services in the District.
“Principal Brandy Taylor and certified teacher, Jamie Williams are doing a great job with the students. Our mid-year assessment shows a lot of student growth. We have been able to track student growth using a beginning-of-year entrance assessment and we followed up with a mid-year assessment.” says Flerchinger.
Overwhelmingly, students are accomplishing the goals we have set for them. Currently, all students know 8 or more colors, 90% can count to 10, 80% can rhyme, and 70% can complete AB and ABC patterns. When asked to write their name, 90% can write their name using identifiable letters. “This instruction will provide all of these students with a jump start in their education when they enter kindergarten. Toward the end of the year, we will complete another assessment of all of the students.”
All of the students in the program are residents of the district who will eventually attend schools within the district. “We are expecting nine of the students to attend kindergarten in the fall and the other three will attend kindergarten when they are age-eligible.”
Because Pre-K is not funded by the state of Idaho, the Lewiston School District is actively seeking financial grants to help grow this successful program.