2015-2016 Signature Mission
DeLaSalle Education Center
The Mission Committee of Village Presbyterian Church selected the DeLaSalle Education Center’s PACES program expansion as the Signature Mission for 2016. Founded in 1971, DeLaSalle Education Center is an innovative charter high school offering students, ages 14 to 20, who have struggled in other schools or dropped out, an alternative to traditional school. It is the only charter high school in the state of Missouri dedicated to serving the high risk urban core.
DeLaSalle’s PACES is an onsite early childhood education program, serving infants and toddlers ages six months to three years. Since 1996, the program has served children of teen parents attending DeLaSalle by providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children, teaching teen parents effective parenting skills and allowing for opportunities for parent and child interaction. PACES is licensed by the State of Missouri and through The Family Conservancy, by Head Start, Early Head Start and the Mid-America Regional Council.
Through grants from Village Endowment and the Mission Committee totaling $30,000, the program has expanded to its fully licensed capacity and now offers the program to other charter schools and to teen parents in the Kansas City, Missouri School District.
Success of teen parents in the program is measured in multiple ways including graduation and attendance rates, growth in academic competencies and state testing. Last year, 96 percent of DeLaSalle graduates decided to pursue further education and/or seek meaningful employment. More than 73 percent of former students are currently working. Teachers evaluate children in PACES through formal developmental assessments and parent involvement.
DeLaSalle’s PACES is an onsite early childhood education program, serving infants and toddlers ages six months to three years. Since 1996, the program has served children of teen parents attending DeLaSalle by providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children, teaching teen parents effective parenting skills and allowing for opportunities for parent and child interaction. PACES is licensed by the State of Missouri and through The Family Conservancy, by Head Start, Early Head Start and the Mid-America Regional Council.
Through grants from Village Endowment and the Mission Committee totaling $30,000, the program has expanded to its fully licensed capacity and now offers the program to other charter schools and to teen parents in the Kansas City, Missouri School District.
Success of teen parents in the program is measured in multiple ways including graduation and attendance rates, growth in academic competencies and state testing. Last year, 96 percent of DeLaSalle graduates decided to pursue further education and/or seek meaningful employment. More than 73 percent of former students are currently working. Teachers evaluate children in PACES through formal developmental assessments and parent involvement.