Park City School District announces phase two of preschool expansion

Photo: PCSD

PARK CITY, Utah — At their last meeting on Oct. 24, the Park City School Board approved phase two of the Park City School District’s preschool expansion. School officials say the next phase will further enhance early learning opportunities within the district, with expanded preschool classrooms at Parley’s Park Elementary and Trailside Elementary set to open for the 2025-2026 school year.

Both Parley’s Park and Trailside preschools will increase their classroom capacity from two to four, allowing more families to benefit from early education in Park City. The expansion will also introduce a significant change to the current programming, with the three-year-old program moving from two half-day sessions per week to a full five-day option. Additionally, families of three-year-olds will now have the option to register for the after-school program, extending support and convenience for working families.

To support the expanded programming, the district will add a licensed early childhood coordinator to the preschool team, which the district says will ensure high standards of teaching and program management. With the expanded capacity, the number of students served will grow from 156 to over 288, bringing more access and opportunities to local families.

Park City School District will open registration for the expanded preschool program on January 1, 2025. The program offers a variety of options for three- and four-year-olds.

• Four-year-olds: Full days, five days per week
• Three-year-olds: Full days, five days per week
• Four-year-olds: Half days, five days per week
• Three-year-olds: Half days, five days per week

The expansion effort is supported by the Park City Education Foundation, which continues to provide essential funding to ensure affordability and accessibility for all families.

The district said PCEF donors provide over $125,000 in funding yearly to ensure Park City School District can provide affordable, high-quality preschool for 3—and 4-year-olds.

According to Dan Gallery, Preschool Director for Park City School District, less than 60% of our kindergartners have had access to four-year-old preschool, and just 20% have experienced three-year-old preschool.

“By passing this expansion, we are providing more children the opportunity for early school and literacy readiness, social skills development, wellness, oral language growth, and essential services for students with disabilities,” Gallery said. “This step forward is vital for fostering a strong foundation that will support our youngest learners throughout their educational journey.”