Rising Stars Welcomes Preschoolers
Three dedicated and enthusiastic educators at Rising Stars Preschool provide developmentally appropriate experiences for 48 students.
Their goal is to prepare the 3- and 4-year-olds for full day kindergarten.
The classroom of Rising Stars is welcoming, cheery and cleverly organized to present a variety of educational, social and practical life experiences for 16 children at a time. Large classroom windows bring in a calming sense of nature, and the classroom's backdoor leads to an expansive, well-equipped playground and grassy area for fresh air and outdoor play.
COVID-19 nearly brought an end to the school. Closed for 11 months, the school reopened primarily due to volunteer work and community support. Grant funding from Sunriver Women's Club assisted in providing partial scholarships as well as contributing towards meeting higher operating costs related to COVID-19, particularly the critical need for frequent sanitization.
In 2021, the Oregon Legislature placed a strong emphasis on the importance of early education by passing House Bill 3073, which created the new Department of Early Learning and Care.
Established in 2004, Rising Stars Preschool is already years ahead in meeting this crucial need in our community. The staff members are a full-time teacher, part-time teacher’s aide and part-time director who also assists the teacher. They obviously love their work and the children they serve. With the help of a supportive and active board of directors, Rising Stars works to keep tuition low and accessible. In addition, they fundraise and apply for grants to make scholarships available to qualified, low-income families. Also, any family member may volunteer to receive a discount on tuition.
During the 2021-22 school year, Rising Stars Preschool added a second class for 4-year-olds due to demand. Classes are expected to be full for the current 2022-23 school year, with a wait list for 3-year-olds. As the cost of living has increased, so has the interest in scholarships. With a little help from the community, Rising Stars may be able to nurture and guide many more children in South Deschutes County.
