Brunswick County Schools considers adding pre-K program

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County Schools is considering reintroducing a pre-K education program after a 15-year hiatus. 

Deputy Superintendent Molly White presented a framework for the program to the school board last week. 

The first steps to implement that plan will be identifying which schools already have the space for pre-K programs over the next six months. 

The 2026-2027 school year would see the opening of three to four pre-K classrooms, with the program being offered at all of the county’s elementary schools by 2028. 

Board Chair Steven Barger said the program is a great way to bring incoming kindergarten students to the same academic level. 

“Some students show up being able to tie their shoes or read at a fourth grade level, and there’s other students who have never been in school before who may not be able to write their name or their reading level is not the same,” Barger said. “So offering a good pre-K program will allow more students to be more consistent with their knowledge when the enter kindergarten, which will make them better student in the future.” 

If implemented, the pre-K program will be entirely funded by money from the state.