THE DENVER PRESCHOOL PROGRAM TO INCREASE AMOUNT OF TUITION SUPPORT AVAILABLE BY MORE THAN 10 PERCENT PER CHILD
Denver families of all socioeconomic backgrounds will benefit from lower out-of-pocket costs for preschool in the 2020-2021 school year
DENVER, Feb. 4, 2020—The Denver Preschool Program announced that it will increase the amount of tuition support available to Denver’s youngest learners for the 2020-2021 school year. Each participating family will receive 10.2% more in tuition support next year, meaning all eligible families will save even more on preschool tuition at the school of their choice, regardless of their income.
This marks the ninth year in a row that the Denver Preschool Program has been able to increase the amount of tuition support it offers. A typical family* can expect to receive $788/month in tuition savings during the 2020-2021 school year, with some families receiving as much as $1,000/month.
“Research has proven time and again that children who attend high-quality preschool programs have a stronger foundation in early language, literacy and math skills and are more likely to graduate high school, attend college and succeed in their careers,” said Elsa Holguín, president and CEO of the Denver Preschool Program. “By making more funds available to help all families pay for preschool, we can help ensure more children enter kindergarten ready to reach their full potential.”
Through the Denver Preschool Program, tuition support is available to all families who reside within the City and County of Denver and have a child enrolled in a participating preschool program in their year before kindergarten. The amount of tuition support a family can receive varies based on a sliding scale that considers household income, their chosen school’s quality rating and the length of the child’s school day.
“The Denver Preschool Program was created with the goal of making preschool affordable for all Denver families, regardless of their income,” said Zach Hochstadt, chair of the Denver Preschool Program board of directors. “As the cost of living in the City and County of Denver continues to rise, increasing the amount of preschool tuition support we can provide to parents and caregivers is one way we can help ensure that families of all socioeconomic backgrounds can continue to afford to live in our beautiful, vibrant city.”
Funds are provided by a dedicated 0.15% sales tax, first approved by Denver voters in 2006 and reauthorized in 2014 to extend to 2026.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to explore their preschool options for next year now using the Denver Preschool Program’s online “Find a Preschool” tool. In addition, they can take advantage of the Denver Preschool Program’s online “Tuition Credit Calculator,” which allows them to estimate the amount of monthly tuition support they may be eligible to receive to lower the cost of preschool. The Denver Preschool Program accepts tuition support applications year-round. For more information about the Denver Preschool Program, please visit dpp.org or call 303-595-4DPP (4377).
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* Tier 1 family earning less than $25,750/year, attending a level 4 quality program for a full school day