P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School has announced that it will open a pilot preschool this fall. 

The “PK Pre-K” will admit 20 pre-kindergarten students, for whom applications open in early summer. The school will select students through a lottery process that creates a pre-K class reflective of the state’s student population. 

“Launching a pre-kindergarten instance provides P.K. Yonge opportunity to extend our research mission to determine the efficacy of serving early learners, specifically when these students are served and supported by a certified professional educator,” said Brian Marchman, P.K. Yonge’s director and superintendent. “We’re looking forward to sharing what we learn with fellow educators throughout Florida and beyond.” 

PK Pre-K is designed to prepare children for a smooth transition into P.K. Yonge’s kindergarten class, but also to contribute to the school’s ongoing developmental research on early childhood education. 

“This innovative program will be centered on creating an enriching early childhood program that sparks curiosity, encourages collaboration, and creates a foundation for a lifelong love of learning,” said Jill Ozog, P.K. Yonge K/1 learning community leader. 

The school will open job postings for a pre-kindergarten teacher and a pre-kindergarten paraprofessional in early May on jobs.ufl.edu.   

“We are thrilled to embark on this new journey as we welcome 4-year-old learners into our PK community,” said Dr. Ashley Pennypacker Hill, P.K. Yonge Elementary principal. “In PK Pre-K, we look forward to nurturing a foundation of wonder, exploration, and growth, as we help shape the futures of our new members of the Blue Wave family.”