Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools Receives Grant from Ohio Department of Children and Youth; Prepares Youngest Students for Their Education with Kindergarten Bootcamp, Preschool

 

   
AMANDA, Ohio (April 21, 2026) – Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools (A-C) has received a grant from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to offer Kindergarten Bootcamp, a program designed to nurture and prepare the district’s youngest students with the best opportunity for success as they begin kindergarten.
 
Kindergarten Bootcamp is designed for those enrolled as a kindergarten student in the district for the 2026-27 school year, who have not participated in any formal early care and education program and will attend kindergarten in the building where the program is offered. In addition, students in the program must have verified citizen or qualified alien status, and a family income that does not exceed two hundred percent of the federal poverty level, unless the child receives services on an Individualized Education Program (IEP), is in foster or kinship care, or is experiencing homelessness.
 
According to research, social and academic success in kindergarten is predictive of academic achievement in third grade, eighth grade and so on. Many of the skills that employers seek in career readiness are the same skills that are built in kindergarten and beyond. (Bournea, Ohio State University, 2024).
 
The goal of Kindergarten Bootcamp, as outlined by the Ohio Department of Children & Youth, is to support successful transitions into kindergarten. This is accomplished by building school routines early, and learning classroom environments and expectations. Children also benefit from social and educational readiness and early exposure to instruction grounded in the Science of Reading and Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards. 
 
“A-C is thrilled to offer Kindergarten Bootcamp in our district to help Aces start their educational journey with the best foundation,” said Dr. Timothy Edwards, superintendent of Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools. “A-C works to ensure that our students are prepared and equipped with the tools they need to succeed. In addition to our preschool program and kindergarten classes, Kindergarten Bootcamp is a great opportunity for a designated group of our district’s youngest students to get the support they need to grow, learn and thrive.”
 
The program is modeled as a minimum of four weeks of programming with at least three hours of instruction per day, for a minimum of 75 total hours. There is to be one licensed kindergarten teacher and one additional staff per class to achieve a maximum staff-child ratio of 1 to 10 per class with a maximum class size of 20.
 
With these goals in mind, children will enter kindergarten with improved academic and social readiness, families will feel confident in their child’s transition to school and districts will experience smoother kindergarten entry, reducing adjustment disruptions and maximizing instructional time.
 
In addition to Kindergarten Bootcamp, A-C’s preschool program is open now for registration through May 4. Eligible students must reside in the A-C District, be age 3.5 by Aug. 16, 2026 and be potty trained. Families should bring the child’s birth certificate, proof of residency and the parent or legal guardian’s driver’s license. Registration is held from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Preschool Office, located at the rear of the A-C Primary Building off Lutz Avenue.
 
Kindergarten registration is also open, with the next registration event from 4 - 6 p.m. on May 14 at A-C Primary. Eligible students must reside in the A-C District and be age 5 by Aug. 17, 2026. Families should bring the child’s birth certificate, proof of residency and the parent or legal guardian’s driver’s license. Also, the child’s immunization record, physical exam (if completed), custody documents and special education documents (if applicable).
 
Information on the school districts eligible for these grants throughout Ohio is available here or at https://childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-families/early-care-education/kindergarten-readiness.  For more information about Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools, visit www.amanda.k12.oh.us.
 
The Amanda-Clearcreek Local School District believes all students can learn, have the right to a quality education, and should be treated with respect and dignity. The district is focused on preparing graduates to become productive community members and life-long learners while being transparent and good stewards of taxpayer dollars. The district office is located at 328 E. Main St. in Amanda, Ohio.