Preschool

Thank you for your interest in the MECC Preschool program.  We are no longer accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year.  The deadline to submit an application for the preschool lottery was Friday, February 10, 2023, at 4 pm.

MECC Preschool Program Overview: 

In response to a 1992 federal mandate, Mason City Schools developed a preschool program to meet the needs of children with identified disabilities.  An integrated program model was adopted in which typically developing children would be enrolled with students who have identified special needs.  The goal of the integrated classroom is to provide an enriched learning environment for all children during their preschool years. Classrooms are balanced for many factors including age and gender. 

The curriculum is guided by the State of Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards provided by the Ohio Department of Education.  The daily schedule provides a balance of whole group, small group and individual instruction, as well as learning opportunities incorporated within center based activities.  Children are given opportunities to interact with peers and adults in the classroom, as well as in a motor room and during outside play.  The social curriculum is based on The Responsive Classroom philosophy, a research based approach which fosters safe, challenging and joyful classrooms.

Our preschool teachers have a Bachelor’s and/or a Master’s degree and are highly qualified in the area of early childhood education.  Each classroom is a multi-age grouping of three to five year old children, who are not age eligible to attend kindergarten.  Classes are comprised of one half children who have been identified with special needs and one half children who are considered to be typically developing.

Classes are in session Monday through Thursday and generally follow the Mason City School District Academic Year calendar.  Students attend either morning or afternoon sessions for approximately two hours and 45 minutes. Session of attendance is determined by home address.

Below are some considerations to understand as you determine if the MECC Preschool is the right fit for your family.

Requirements	In order to submit an application for enrollment, families need to be a resident of the Mason City School District at the time the application is submitted. Children must be three years old on or before August 1, 2023.  Children who will be 5 on or before September 30, 2023, are not eligible for preschool at MECC. Children must be toilet trained.
Programming	Each classroom is a multi-age grouping of children Classes will be composed of children with identified special needs and children who are developing typically. Classes are strategically designed with considerations for balanced classrooms; including male:female ratio, age-span balance, and parent feedback via application information.  Due to ensuring classrooms are balanced, teacher & specific classroom requests are not accepted. Children are assigned either to the A.M. session (9:20 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.) or P.M. session (1:05 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.) Student's session of attendance is determined based on home address (street name)
Attendance	All students will be required to attend and pay full-time (4 days per week status; Monday-Thursday) Should a student withdraw from the MECC Preschool program, they will not be granted re-enrollment during the 23-24 school year.
Fees	2023-24 snack fee is TBA.  (Snack Fee will not exceed the amount of $175.00) All students will pay a one-time snack fee for the school year.  The snack fee is due by the first day of preschool. 2023-24 tuition is $355.00 per month.  Tuition is due by the first school day of each month beginning with the month of September and ending with the month of May.

Please contact MECC Preschool Administrative Assistant, Michelle Fischley, at (513) 229-4578 with questions.

If you need information on district supports for preschool children with special needs, please contact Julie Cooper at (513) 229-4578 ext. 82432.