Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) Pre-Kindergarten
As part of a grant provided by the Virginia Department of Education, FCPS has 4 VPI preschool classrooms serving targeted school populations in the Redbud Run, Jordan Springs, Apple Pie Ridge, Stonewall, Evendale, Middletown, Gainesboro and Indian Hollow school zones. Eligibility for the program is based upon federal income guidelines, the child’s age (the child must be 4 by Sept. 30 of the current school year), and other factors outlined in the grant. The program is designed to serve at-risk students meeting the eligibility criteria. Each classroom serves 18 students, taught by a classroom teacher and teaching assistant, with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 9:1.
The curriculum is based upon Virginia’s Early Learning and Development Standards, the standards identified for high-quality preschool in Virginia. Students attend a full day that is aligned with the elementary schedule, and receive instruction that embraces social-emotional development, gross- and fine-motor skills, early literacy and math skills, and oral language development. Children have opportunities for whole group, small group, and independent learning; however, most learning is through purposeful, developmental play. The goal of VPI is to develop children to be “school-ready”-ready to learn in kindergarten.