¡Que Onda Magazine!

Houston's oldest bilingual publication

City of Houston and Bezos Academy Open Three Free Preschools

Image

Following the announcement of a 10-year lease agreement between the City of Houston and Bezos Academy last year, three preschools are now open in Houston and currently accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. The partnership is championed by the Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement which worked to place the preschools in Houston’s most historically under resourced communities, ensuring every child will have equitable opportunities for education that propels them to a meaningful and successful future.

Bezos Academy Houston locations include the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, in Magnolia Park at the Community Family Center Building, and in North Shore at the San Jacinto College North Campus.

Image
These preschools were also supported by the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities, the Houston Health Department, Community Family Centers, and San Jacinto College. All three sites will offer year-round programming, five days a week, for children ages 3-5 years old. Students will also be provided with everything needed during the day, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. To learn more about eligibility, visit the Bezos Academy website.

“We are happy to continue to work with Bezos Academy to fight for the future of all children, especially those within our Complete Communities,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “When we invest in our children, we are investing in a brighter and more equitable future for our city,”

Studies show that children who have access to high-quality early childhood programs complete high school with lower rates of suspension, arrests, and substance abuse issues, and have higher rates of employment as adults. In Harris County, there are approximately 360,000 children between the ages of 0 and 4, however, childcare capacity in Houston can only meet the needs of about 185,000 children. The opening of these three schools will help to close this gap and give those in our historically most under resourced communities access to education that nurtures the potential in every child.

“Having spent my career teaching and leading in Texas, I know from experience the tremendous leg-up that preschool provides our students,” said Dr. A. Tracie Brown, Bezos Academy Superintendent of Schools. “Mayor Turner’s vision to expand that access for kids who wouldn’t otherwise have it made Houston an obvious place for us to open schools. Now that our first three schools are up and running, that vision has become a reality for the children who show up at a Bezos Academy preschool each day, and we can’t wait to welcome more.”

All three locations are still accepting applications through 11:59 p.m. PST, Monday, June 5th.

About the Mayor’s Office of Education and Youth Engagement
Public education is a human right, the great social equalizer, and a key to a prosperous community. Mayor Sylvester Turner believes that each generation of children should be assured a better life and education. Through collaboration, communication, and coordination, the Mayor’s Office of Education strives to ensure this goal for all families in Houston by promoting access to equitable education and opportunities.

About Bezos Academy
Bezos Academy is a non-profit organization that is building a network of tuition-free preschools. Our preschools offer year-round, full-day programming, five days a week, for children ages 3-5 years old from low-income families. Bezos Academy also provides students with all necessary educational supplies and services to set each student up for success, including Montessori materials, books, arts and crafts, field trips, and meals. For more information, visit: www.bezosacademy.org.