Putnam City Pre-K enrollment open until March 27

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Putnam City Schools is opening pre-kindergarten enrollment for anyone, not just their district, for next year.

Wednesday, the 4-year-old students were nailing down the basics at D.D. Kirkland before kindergarten next year.

"We have always had about 400 students that go to kindergarten that did not attend pre-K. It has long been our goal as a district to close that gap," said Ashley Hoggatt, the principal.

Hoggatt said according to an MIT study, if a student attends Pre-k, they will be four times more likely to complete college.

Hoggatt said right now, PC schools has 1,035 pre-k seats available to anyone.

"If a family is not able to secure a spot in their neighboring district, they are able to come to Putnam City schools and register their child," said Hoggatt. "You will be able to select your first choice of school and your second choice of school."

The district is also looking to hire teachers to fill 59 classrooms.

With the help of a certified teacher and teacher's assistant, the children get a head start on all subjects like art, math, and reading.

Nikki Reynolds said after pre-k, her daughter Evelyn was more prepared for school. Now her son, Parker, is learning the ropes.

"It really helps with developing their social skills. They learn how to share their toys, how to get along. They learn conflict resolution," said Reynolds. "They go into kindergarten knowing their abc's and knowing how to write their name."

Hoggatt said the skills pre-kindergarteners learn today will impact their future.

"If they successfully complete, have great attendance, with Putnam city schools," she said. "They are 10% more likely to accomplish their third grade math and third-grade reading scores."

Registration is open until March 27.