Project V.I.L.L.A.G.E. (Verbally Intensive Literacy and Learning Activities for Growth in Education) provides an intensive early childhood education program based on school readiness and language skills development to economically-challenged four-year-olds in the Indian River School District. With more than 150 students enrolled each year, this program is designed to help children get the start they need to be successful in school.
Project V.I.L.L.A.G.E. was started in 1997 by then-Director of Instruction Dr. Susan Bunting with the help of a federal Early Childhood Assistance grant. Dr. Bunting, now superintendent of Indian River School District, was concerned that many low-income students entering kindergarten in the district were not prepared to succeed in school and saw that an intensive effort was needed to ensure these children were on track. Of particular concern to Dr. Bunting was the growing non-English speaking population in the district. Fully 60% of the students in the program entered school with minimal English language skills. Since 1997, the program has expanded from a half-day program at one school to four locations that can serve up to 170 students.
Project V.I.L.L.A.G.E. brings experienced teachers to the early childhood classroom and includes speech therapy and psychological testing to ensure that students' individual needs are being identified and met. Curriculum specialists from the school district work with the teachers in Project V.I.L.L.A.G.E. to prepare students in the program for succeed in kindergarten. The program also encourages parent involvement, including participation on the program's policy council, opportunities for parents to volunteer in the classroom, family literacy classes, and regularly scheduled assessment conferences.
Project V.I.L.L.A.G.E. has won numerous awards for the design of the program, including a Superstars award from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and a Magna Award from the National School Board Association. Additionally, Project V.I.L.L.A.G.E. was the national winner of the first Civic Star Award sponsored by the American Association of School Administrators. To date, there are waiting lists for all of the Project V.I.L.L.A.G.E. sites.
Indian River School District staff has tracked the students involved with Project V.I.L.L.A.G.E. and notes that 87%-90% of these students are meeting the state math and language arts standards even nine years after leaving the program. Now Superintendent of Indian River School District, Dr. Bunting says that her work with Project V.I.L.L.A.G.E. has been one of the most personally and professionally rewarding experiences in her career.
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Contact Mrs. Sandy Smith @ 302.436.1000