Catholic Charities’ Westside Head Start is enrolling students for the 2021-22 school year, which will include enrollment into the Tonopah School District for Head Start, Early Head Start, pregnant mothers and home-based programs.

The program provides comprehensive early, continuous, year-round childhood education through a holistic approach by working with the whole family. Programs emphasize pre-reading, language, math, cognitive skills, and health, social and emotional competence to prepare disadvantaged children for school and to maximize their potential for a bright future, according to a release.

“Coming out of the current situation that we expect will impact many students’ educational progress, it is critical that we re-engage with students and families and open opportunities for new students and families to ensure that their path to learning remains vibrant and impactful,” said Westside Head Start Executive Director Yatin Dua. “Early education is vital to establishing a solid foundation for lifelong learning.”

Full-day duration classrooms (8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), full-day non-duration classrooms (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and half-day (8 to 11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) classes are available in Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Tonopah, Peoria and Tolleson.

Students and families eligible to enroll in Westside Head Start include expectant mothers, children ages 0-5, and children with special needs, foster children and homeless children.

Enrollment, other than for families with a member who has attended Westside Head Start or expectant mothers, can be done online at catholiccharitiesaz.org/all-locations/youth-development. The website offers both English and Spanish.

Expectant mothers and families with members who have attended the program should call 623-436-9868.