This school year, Battle Ground Community Education — a department of the Battle Ground Public Schools district — is increasing its offerings for Tigerland Preschool.
Tigerland exists at two locations, one in Battle Ground and one in Yacolt. At Yacolt, there have traditionally been fewer days and combined classes for ages 3 through 5. In the 2017-18 school year, that will no longer be the case.
In both Battle Ground and Yacolt, Tigerland is available to 4 and 5 year olds Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the morning and afternoon. Classes for 3-year-olds will be offered Tuesday and Thursday in the morning and afternoon.
“Yacolt always just had 3 to 5 year olds mixed in together instead of separately because it’s a smaller population,” said Mary Cleveland, registrar of Tigerland. “Making the Yacolt location the same as Battle Ground’s will just make everything more consistent.”
The Battle Ground Tigerland location is on the Captain Strong Primary campus in Portable 36. The other is at Yacolt Primary in Portable C.
According to Cleveland, the most important benefit of adding classes to Yacolt’s Tigerland is that it will help the children’s learning process.
“The older kids will be more ready for kindergarten if they're not grouped in with the younger kids anymore,” Cleveland said. “The curriculum can be more focused toward them.”
Tigerland classes begin on Sept. 6 and 7.
“Battle Ground Community Education has offered quality preschool education for over 30 years,” Cleveland said. “Each of the two locations works closely with the Battle Ground School District to prepare kids for their kindergarten experience.”
