Inclusive Preschool Program
Learning Tree Inclusive Preschool Program
The Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School District offers Inclusive Preschool Classroom Programs for children, ages 3-5 who require special education services, and those who do not. Inclusion in preschool refers to including children with disabilities in early childhood programs together with their community peers without disabilities, holding high expectations and intentionally promoting participation in all learning and social activities facilitated by individualized accommodations and using evidence-based services and supports to foster child development in the areas of cognition, language, communication, physical, behavioral, and social-emotional, as well as fostering friendships with peers, and an overall sense of belonging.
Instruction for all children is developmentally appropriate and aligned with the Massachusetts Guidelines for Preschool Early Learning Standards.
The Inclusive Preschool Program is located at the John R. Briggs Elementary School. There are a limited number of spots available for community peers. Community peers must be age three as of September 1, 2021. Tuition costs have been determined by the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School Committee. Transportation is the responsibility of the family.
For the 2021-2022 school year, the preschool will offer the following options for community peers:
Two-Day Morning Preschool Program
Tuesday and Thursday from 8:45-11:10 a.m.
Tuition: $108.00 per month / $1,080.00 per year
Three-Day Morning Preschool Program
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:45-11:10 a.m.
Tuition: $158.00 per month / $1,580.00 per year
Four-Day Afternoon Preschool Program
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12:00-2:30 p.m.
Tuition: $216.00 per month / $2,160.00 per year
To be considered as a community peer for the 2020-2021 inclusive preschool, please complete an application. Applications may be submitted electronically via Google Form available here: Learning Tree Inclusive Preschool Program Application for NEW Community Peers 2021-2022
The deadline to be considered as a community peer is Friday, May 14, 2021.
Siblings of current Learning Tree preschool students who will continue to be in the Learning Tree preschool for the 2021-2022 year, will be placed in the preschool program prior to the lottery, provided space is available. Completion of an application is still required for siblings.
If there are more applicants than spots available for community peers in the preschool program, a public virtual lottery drawing will be held via Google Meet. Should a lottery be necessary, it will be held on Wednesday, May 19th at 11:00am. Please note: you do not need to be present virtually for the lottery to be considered.
Families will be notified by Wednesday, May 26, 2021 if their child is accepted into the program.
If your child is accepted as a community peer into the preschool program, you will receive an enrollment package. Completed enrollment package is required by June 2, 2021. Your child’s spot in the program will be forfeited if the enrollment package is not returned by the due date.
A wait list will be maintained once program capacity has been reached.
Please direct questions about the preschool program to Aimee Vera at avera@awrsd.org