New preschool planned

The city council met with Danielle Price Monday night to speak about the use of the Community Center for a private preschool. Price used to work at Facture Academy, which closed its doors this year. Price was employed there since January, and believes the area still needs such a school. “I really enjoyed working there and my school is going to be a similar model,” said Price.

She spoke about the teaching style, which she referred to as Montessori. “I’ve been teaching for a long time and this style is the one I have seen proven time and time again,” explained Price. She explained that it promotes self-motivation in the students, and most of her pupils have self-elected to learn reading, math and other subjects along with progressing in those subjects more quickly than in other learning environments.

Without another space to use, Price looked to the community center. The proposed school would be flexible as to let other groups use the center. She explained that she and her students could use the basement of the building if other renters need the upstairs portion. That way she would not interrupt any other groups from using it.

Currently, rent for the community center is $75 for three hours. Price asked to use the space for the reduced rate of $2,000 a month. According to mayor Mark Sheets, the space was used in the past for another pre-school. The council members expressed questions of how much it would cost the city to allow year-round rent of the space, after considering heating during the winter and insurance. Sheets informed the council that the city must heat the space throughout the winter anyways, and Price will need to provide her own insurance. He also mentioned that this would provide an income source to the city using the building year-round, which they currently do not have. In most cases, Sheets explained they may only have the space rented a few times during the summer. After some deliberation, the council accepted the proposal for the reduced rate.

Price’s school will utilize the same student driven learning environment that Facture did, where the teacher “guides” students into an appropriate direction. Students elect how they want to learn each day, and can progress through subjects organically and naturally, according to Price. “I think every child wants to learn, but it’s not fun when you come into a space where they feel they already can’t do anything,” said Price. According to her, Price’s proposed environment will allow for exploration, where the students will feel valued, respected and as if their opinions matter. She said this prepares the students for life, not just for kindergarten, like most pre-schools do. “We want life-long learners,” added Price.

The school will be named Little Learners Preschool and will start after Labor Day weekend. The preschool will be tuition based. Pricing could range from $250 per month for five half-days to $600 per month for five full days with aftercare included. Price wants to provide numerous options for parents, and opportunities for instruction as few as two days a week are also available. She would also like to provide options for older students as well. Price’s school has room for up to 40 students, but she believes the ideal number to be around 30.