Albuquerque Public Schools has opened its first dedicated early childhood center, repurposing the former Duranes Elementary School into a preschool and community hub. The Duranes Early Childhood Center welcomed students for the first time Tuesday, with about 60 children enrolled. The center can accommodate about 105 students with its currently open classrooms and up to 150 at full capacity.

Services and Programs

The center includes four New Mexico Pre-K classrooms and five special education preschool classrooms. The programs use a full-inclusion model designed to give students opportunities to learn together. A full-time community school coordinator is available on-site to help families with job, Medicaid and rental applications, as well as other needs.

According to Alison Gabaldon, APS executive director of early childhood, ‘Preschool is a necessity because it provides children with the foundation that they need to be successful on their lifelong journey of education.’ The center will also serve as a lab school in partnership with the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College.

Parents can still apply to enroll their 3- or 4-year-old children through APS ParentVUE. APS also offers preschool programs at 68 other sites across the district, although availability varies by location.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.