About
Gardendale Pre-K 4 SA Early Learning Program is an Innovative School Partnership that brings together two professional learning organizations, the Edgewood Independent School District and Pre-K 4 SA. Together, the program creates greater capacity for high-quality early childhood education for students in prekindergarten through 2nd grade.
Gardendale’s Early Learning Program opened to incoming Prekindergarten and Kindergarten children in August 2019. It expanded to include children in first grade in 2020 and second grade in 2021.
Mission: Through a unique programming partnership, Gardendale Early Learning Program provides students with the same proven methodologies implemented by Pre-K 4 SA, giving them the best foundation to a successful educational future.
Vision: Gardendale L.E.A.D.S from the heart. L- Love who you teach. E- Enhance learning through excitement. A- Achieve goals together. D- Do the right thing. S- Strive for excellence.
Address | 1731 Dahlgreen Avenue, San Antonio, Texas 78237
Phone | (210) 898-4190
Head of School | Manuela Haberer
Grades Served | Pre-K – 2
Founded | 2019
Instructional Hours | 7:30am – 3:00 pm
Office Hours | 7:15 am – 4:00 pm
Meals | Free breakfast, lunch and snack provided for all students
Features and Benefits
Extended Day
Welcome Week
Walk in My Shoes
Parents as Partners
City Explorations
Partnership with Pre-K 4 SA Dual Language – One Way
Pre-K – 2nd
HighScope Quality Early Learning
Outdoor Learning
Gracias Art Opportunity
New Tech Network
Responsive Classroom
New Tech Learning
CHEF
Curriculum
(based on grade level)
PK & KINDER
HIGHSCOPE CLASSROOMS
Active Participatory Learning
Daily Routine
Supportive Climate
Plan-Do-Review
Shared Control
Conflict Resolution
Daily Planning
1ST & 2ND
RESPONSIVE CLASSROOMS
Engaging Academics
Teaching that Engages
Technology that Enables
Outcomes that Matter
Program FAQ’s
The Gardendale Early Learning Program is an Innovative School Partnership that brings together two professional learning organizations, the Edgewood Independent School District and Pre-K 4 SA. Together, the focus is to provide high-quality instruction to students from Pre-K through 2nd grade.
Pre-K 4 SA is a comprehensive early childhood initiative aimed at changing the education and workforce trajectory of San Antonio in one generation. Pre-K 4 SA offers full-day pre-kindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds living in San Antonio. The Pre-K 4 SA Professional Learning program provides pre-kindergarten through third grade educators in San Antonio with complementary continuing education to support best practice instruction to help every child in San Antonio excel. The Pre-K 4 SA Grants program provides more than $4.2 million in funding annually to area schools and child development centers increase quality and access in early childhood programs throughout San Antonio.
Edgewood ISD is partnering with Pre-K 4 SA to create a School of Innovation that brings together two high quality early learning programs, EISD and Pre-K 4 SA.
Children begin learning from the moment they are born, but studies have proven that age four is a critical juncture in the learning process. Having tackled rudimentary functions such as walking, talking, balance and manipulation of objects, they are entering a critical phase which includes developing memory, imagination and understanding. This is why strategically designed play is so critical at this young age. A strong prekindergarten program will utilize play, a child’s natural tendency, to instill concepts of numbers, literacy, language, social skills and essential critical thinking skills. This early exposure gives children an educational advantage and creates future students that love to learn, are confident, ask questions and eagerly participate in their education – and eventually, their communities.
The focus on PK-2nd grades targets the early development of brain functioning. During these critical years, language, literacy, communication, mathematics and social emotional learning are developing in the young child. PK-2nd are important years for a child to develop their independence, creativity, thinking, decision making, problem solving skills, and build healthy relationships with their peers and adults.
The Gardendale Early Learning Program is a full-day program and follows the elementary school’s start time of 7:45 a.m. with classes ending at 3:15 p.m. After school care is provided until 6:00 p.m. for qualifying children. The program will follow the District’s 2022-2023 Academic Calendar.
Eligibility and Registration
Students currently enrolled in Gardendale Early Learning Program will transfer to the district 3rd grade campus upon promotion from the program.
Yes, students living in the Gardendale attendance zone will have priority to attend the Gardendale Early Learning Program.
Yes, applications are open to eligible student(s) who reside outside of the district. If you would like to register, apply on Pre-K 4 SA’s site.
Students of Edgewood ISD employees who reside outside of the district may apply for an open seat.
To be eligible for enrollment in a 3-year-old pre-k class, a child must be 3 years of age on September 1 of the current school year. To be eligible in a 4-year-old pre-k class, a child must be 4 years old on September 1 of the current school year. In order to receive free education, the child must meet one of the following requirements according to TEA guidelines:
- be unable to speak and comprehend the English language; or
- be educationally disadvantaged (eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program)
- be homeless; or
- be the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserved component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority; or
- be the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserved component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty; or
- have ever been in the conservatorship of the Texas DFPS (foster care) following an adversary hearing.
- is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as:
- a peace officer under Section 3106.002, Government Code;
- a firefighter under section 3106.003, Government Code; or
- an emergency medical first responder under Section 3106.004, Government Code.
- What can I do if I do not meet the prekindergarten eligibility requirements?
- We are currently exploring tuition options for students who do not meet any of the 4-year-old eligibility requirements for enrollment and will provide information at a later date.
Students not attending the Gardendale Pre-K 4 SA Early Learning Program may enroll in our other campus-based prekindergarten programs at all district elementary schools, except Stafford Elementary and Roosevelt Elementary. The campus programs have the same eligibility requirements for enrollment as Gardendale. Parents may also choose to send their 3- or 4-year-old to one of our two Head Start Centers: Cardenas Early Childhood Center or Stafford Early Childhood Center.
Edgewood ISD partners with Pre-K 4 SA so that children can apply to attend one of the four Pre-K 4 SA Education Centers which are located on the north, south, west, and east sides of San Antonio.
Curriculum & Instruction
The class sizes for Gardendale prekindergarten classes will have a ratio of 20:2 (10 students: 1 adult). Kindergarten through 2nd grade will have a 22:1 (22 students: 1 adult).
There will be one certified teacher and one highly qualified teacher assistant in each prekindergarten classroom and one certified teacher in each kindergarten classroom.
Pre-K 4 SA follows the HighScope approach to teaching young children. This approach is backed by more than 40 years of research with benefits evident even decades later. It hinges on consistent routine and purposeful play encouraging children to be active participants in their own learning. While the children think they are just playing, they are actually developing language skills, mathematical thinking, scientific concepts, and literacy. They are also developing strong social-emotional skills, which are critical to not only school success, but life success. From the minute they enter the door until they leave at the end of the day, children are engaged in active learning. Each step is strategically designed to build a strong academic foundation and critical thinking skills such as planning, problem solving and leadership.
The HighScope approach is consistent with the best practices recommended by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and meets all state standards.
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines (updated 2015) (PDF)
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines (updated 2015) Spanish (PDF)
Yes, the program will provide a One-Way Dual Language Bilingual program in grades prekindergarten and kindergarten.
Transportation
Transportation will not be provided for the students who live outside the district boundaries.
Transportation will be provided for the following campuses at the location listed below:
- Pre-K students from Las Palmas, Perales, H.B. Gonzalez, Stafford, and Winston will be picked up at: Las Palmas Library located at 515 Castroville Road, San Antonio, TX 78237
- Pre-K students from Roosevelt, L.B. Johnson, Loma Park, and Cisneros will be picked up at: Roosevelt Elementary located at 3823 Fortuna, San Antonio, TX 78237