About Peer Model

The district’s preschool program is primarily designed for children with disabilities; however, typically developing children who enjoy a well-rounded, developmentally appropriate preschool experience may apply as peer role models for the students with disabilities. Peer applications are accepted throughout the school year.  View the application process.

All peer applicants must participate in a peer observation. The peer observations are scheduled at least three times during a school year. Peer applicants need to possess strong communication skills, age appropriate socialization and play skills.

The cost for our Tuesday through Friday half-day program is $100.00 per month. Payments are due in the preschool office by the first day of the month. The preschool calendar coincides with the Hilliard City School calendar. Transportation for peers must be provided by the parent or guardian.

Classroom Structure

The program is a four-day a week program. Morning hours are 8:45 – 11:15 (Tues.-Fri.) Afternoon sessions are 12:45 – 3:15. (Tues. – Fri.) The preschool calendar coincides with the Hilliard City School calendar, except for one week early on the ending date.

Enrollment is open to children of district residents and staff of Hilliard City Schools. It is required that they reside in the HCSD.  

Each classroom has a licensed/certified Intervention pre-kdg teacher and trained teacher assistants.  Classrooms have a maximum of 16 students, 8 of whom have identified disabilities and 6-8 who are typically developing peers.

Hilliard’s Preschool Program is organized to facilitate children’s development in six major areas: cognition, communication, self-help, motor skills, social and play skills, and emotional development.  Curriculum objectives are met in a literacy-rich, developmentally appropriate environment.

Three/ Four Year Old Classrooms:

The children (peers and special needs students) in the three-four year old classroom will be 3 and 4 year olds. The children in the ¾ classes return to preschool the following school year. Children with summer birthdays (June, July, August, and September) who are eligible for kindergarten the following school year will be placed in three-four year old classroom.

Transition Classrooms:

The children in the transition classes graduate and move on to kindergarten the following year. The children (peers and special needs students) in the transition classrooms will turn 5 years old during the preschool school year, or are 5 and 6 years old when school begins.

The preschool will have openings for the 2012-2013 and the 2013-2014 school years. Please fill out an application for your child and send to the preschool office. The application will be dated the day it is received.  All applications stay in the order of the date received.  When preparing for an observation the peer applicants who are 3 years old and older are called to participate in the peer observation.  Families do not need to wait until their child is 3 years old to fill out an application.