STARS Preschool
In 2017, Governor Bullock worked with the Montana Legislature to secure $6 million for a two year project to expand educational services for Montana’s four- and five-year-olds. Funding for the pilot, called STARS Preschool, was included in House Bill 639 and passed with bipartisan support.
“This investment helps our families, it helps our kids get off to a bright start, and it helps our economy. We’re finally making this long-awaited investment, and by doing so, building a stronger future for Montana.”
- Steve Bullock
STARS Preschool supported programs serving 4 and 5 year old children in a preschool setting.
- The funding was dedicated to increase access to preschool for 4 and 5 year olds.
- Programs included multiple delivery models, including
- Public programs; private programs; and mixed-delivery programs through public-private partnerships.
- Programs were located both in rural and urban areas of Montana.
- Program standards aligned with Best Beginnings STARS to Quality, Head Start, and Title 10 Chapter 63 public preschool program standards.
The STARS Preschool Pilot Project supported 18 programs from a variety of facility types providing high quality preschool services. They were selected based on a range of eligibility requirements. Here is a list of the 2017-2019 STARS Preschool Grantees:
- Alberton Public School, Alberton, MT
- Head Start, Inc., Billings, MT
- Discovery Place Child Care, Bozeman, MT
- Stepping Stones Preschool, Dillon, MT
- Eastgate Elementary, East Helena Public Schools Dist. 9, East Helena, MT
- ABC Academy, Helena, MT
- Helena Public Schools Montessori-Hawthorne, Helena, MT
- Early Childhood Center at Flathead Valley Community College, Kalispell, MT
- Small Wonder Child Care Inc., Lewistown, MT
- Lockwood School District, Lockwood, MT
- Lolo School District/Lolo Preschool and Child Care, Lolo, MT
- Marion School District 54, Marion, MT
- Cherry Valley Elementary, Polson School District #23, Polson, MT
- Beartooth Children’s Center, Red Lodge, MT
- Ronan School District No. 30, Ronan, MT
- Kountry Kare, Shepherd, MT
- Troy Public School, Troy, MT
- Wibaux Public School, Wibaux, MT
Reports:
Year One STARS Preschool Evaluation Report