Orange County Head Start is expanding access to early childhood education by opening preschool classrooms at four new Orange County Public Schools campuses for the 2026-2027 school year. The program will have classrooms at Conway Elementary School, Lake George Elementary School, William Frangus Elementary School and Maxey Elementary School.
The district's closure of McCoy Elementary School prompted a reevaluation of Head Start classroom locations. The McCoy classrooms closed, which affected services at Three Points Elementary, and the review, combined with community assessment data, also led to closing classrooms at Dillard and Washington Shores. The same assessment helped identify new spaces so families keep access to early learning close to home. Director Sonya Hill said the expansion lets the program continue serving families in or near communities where previous sites closed and serve more children in high-demand areas, including locations that traditionally have long waiting lists.
Hill credited the program's longstanding partnership with Orange County Public Schools with making the transition possible, saying it allows Head Start to lease classroom space on school campuses. Beyond kindergarten preparation, the program supports families through needs assessments, Family Partnership Agreements with a Family Service Worker, parent leadership opportunities, and developmental, health and nutrition services that include screenings and speech, occupational and behavioral support. Orange County is now enrolling for 2026-2027, and Hill said the program has requested a meeting with the Office of Head Start Region IV to discuss pursuing a dedicated facility in East Orange County.
Press release issued by Orange County Government Newsroom:
https://newsroom.ocfl.net/2026/07/orange-county-head-start-moves-to-four-new-school-campuses/
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