Gretchen’s House @ HighScope to Open in September
YPSILANTI, MI — HighScope Educational Research Foundation, a leader in early childhood education, is partnering with Gretchen’s House to reopen the HighScope Demonstration Preschool on HighScope’s Ypsilanti campus. HighScope’s Demonstration Preschool has been a fixture on the campus since 1971 and, for the first time in the Foundation’s history, took a gap year for the 2020–2021 school year. Therefore, HighScope and Gretchen’s House are thrilled to form a partnership to uphold high-quality early learning as a beacon for the early childhood community. Gretchen’s House @ HighScope is slated to open on September 27, 2021, for sixteen children who will turn four by December 1, 2021.
HighScope President, Dr. Alejandra Barraza, says of the partnership: “Gretchen’s House has been a valued HighScope partner for many years and will be a natural fit for the Demonstration Preschool. Many of their locations are HighScope Accredited centers with certified teachers, and all their classroom teachers receive ongoing HighScope training and coaching. Their dedication to implementing the HighScope Curriculum to fidelity will be put into action at Gretchen’s House @ HighScope. We could not be more excited to welcome them to our campus.”
Gretchen’s House @ HighScope promises to offer a high-quality preschool education that promotes active learning by:
- Demonstrating the HighScope Curriculum in action to fidelity.
- Providing ongoing professional learning and coaching for teachers in the Demonstration Preschool.
- Serving as an innovation lab for research that supports and strengthens the HighScope Curriculum and related resources, assessment tools, and professional learning.
- Providing access to a high-quality early learning option for Ypsilanti and surrounding communities.
Gretchen Preston, Gretchen’s House President and Owner, states: “We are proud to collaborate with HighScope on this new chapter for the Demonstration Preschool. Our shared commitment to high quality programs for children has been the key to our successful partnership. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Demonstration Preschool makes this joint venture even more meaningful for us. We look forward to working with the HighScope Foundation in its important role in Ypsilanti and as leaders in the field of early childhood.”
Gretchen’s House @ HighScope is actively taking applications for children who will turn four by December 1, 2021. The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is designed to be an option for children the year before they enter kindergarten to help them get a “great start” to their educational journey. The program is free to families who qualify. Interested families should complete an interest form at www.washtenawpreschool.org. If you choose Gretchen’s House as your first choice on the form, it will be forwarded to Laura Griswold, our GSRP Coordinator. Once received, parents will be contacted with next steps.
Gretchen’s House @ HighScope will host a community open house on August 19 from 4:30–6:30 PM. All are welcome!
About HighScope
HighScope is an independent, non-profit organization working to close the opportunity gap through high-quality early education. For 50 years, we have led the movement to ensure that every child has the opportunity to realize their full potential, regardless of their circumstances.
HighScope’s research is instrumental in defining best practices in early education and from that knowledge we develop curricula, child and program assessment, and professional learning resources that empower early educators and prepare children from birth to kindergarten for school and for life. To join the movement, visit HighScope.org.
About Gretchen’s House
Gretchen’s House is a locally owned and operated family of 10 childcare centers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a satellite program in Houghton, Michigan. We have been providing quality early childhood programs for infants through school-age children since 1985.
Our programs are licensed by the state of Michigan and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Gretchen’s House has had a partnership with the HighScope Educational Research Foundation since 2007. We implement the research-based HighScope curriculum and assessment in our centers, and our teachers receive ongoing training in the HighScope approach. Our philosophy is centered on the principle that children learn by doing. Our teachers provide engaging, developmentally appropriate activities that encourage children to become confident, competent, life-long learners.
Media Contact:
Ingrid Justice
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