Rochester City School District leaders highlighted one of the district’s success stories early Monday at a press conference and shared details on how they plan to replicate it.

RCSD Superintendent Terry Dade says he has big plans to expand the district’s pre-k program. He hopes to repurpose School No. 44 and School No. 57 by the next school year and create two new centers.

“This isn’t about budget crunching,” said Dade. “When I was in D.C. as a school principal, being asked to replicate and expand my Pre-K, one of the first cities that popped up in my search of best practice was Rochester. This is about replicating what’s going well.”

Dade says this proposal is also about putting a stop to a declining enrollment in the district, and that starts with the youngest students. The proposed expansion would replicate the success of the Rochester Early Childhood Education Center located at N. Clinton Avenue. The facility has been open for four years and has maintained its full capacity.

Dade describes this model as a family-friendly atmosphere which offers hands on learning experiences for kids ages three and four.

Dade says the proposal includes extended hours of operation for the pre-k centers.  

"We'll be able to provide before care starting as early as 6:45 a.m.,” he said. “Also an extended STEAM Enrichment Program after hours.”  

The district is seeking state and federal grant money to help fund this proposal. Dade says this is one of his top priorities as he maps out next year’s budget.

The Rochester City School Board will vote on this proposal Thursday.