Pre-K meets high school at Boca High

Published March 24th, 2008

By Nicol Jenkins
Special to the News

Starting next school year, Boca Raton Community High School will have a new freshman class- and the students will be much younger than past years.

Pre-kindergarten will be the newest addition to join the school’s early childhood education program. 

The Bobcat Cubs Preschool Academy will debut the beginning of next school year in August and be available to 24 three to five-year-olds. These youngsters will be taught by a certified pre-kindergarten teacher. High school students who are interested in early childhood education will become teachers as well.

“It’s part of career education training to train high school kids in a career and when they graduate from the class, they graduate with nine college credits and an early childhood pre-school certificate. When they graduate they are certified pre-school teachers,” said Darrell Fraley, Early Childhood Education teacher at Boca High.

The pre-k students will be housed in a separate area from high school classes. The building also has an enclosed outdoor playground, learning centers, reading readiness activities, rest time, music, art, movement, snack, and lunch time. In addition, these students will enjoy presentations by high school students including: pep rallies, chorus presentations, band performances, and drama activities.

“It has a separate entrance from the high school and it’s a secured area. There are school police. Also, high school students who do not participate will not have access to the area,” said Fraley.

Once high school students are screened, they will be able to mentor the pre-k students and serve as aides. Boca Raton High School principal Geoff McKee believes this academy is a win-win for both high school and pre-kindergarten students.

“We are very excited about providing our Bobcat Cubs with an opportunity to experience the same excellence in teaching that has led our students to superlative achievement,” said McKee. “Our top performing students studying Early Childhood will assist each period to encourage and teach the Cubs. Getting a fabulous start to their educational careers will give our pre-school students advantages all of their lives.”

Fraley agrees.

“For high school students, it is a wonderful way to determine some career goals before heading off to college, and to give them the experience needed to decide if they really want to be a teacher, child care worker, or work with children,” said Fraley. “Through this program, they will land on their feet in college running.”

Fraley added, “What we want to do is install a love for learning for kids in pre-school.”

For more information on the Boca High Bobcat Cubs Preschool Academy or to apply for the pre-k program, visit www.bobcatcubs.com.