Dinwiddie County Public Schools (DCPS) has announced that registration remains open for preschool, with available spots in the Bright Stars and Head Start programs for children who will turn four by September 30, 2025.
According to DCPS, several early childhood programs are offered to prepare children for kindergarten and support their overall development. The Bright Stars program, a district initiative for four-year-olds, provides full-day instruction at no cost. It includes transportation, meals, and classrooms staffed by certified teachers and paraprofessionals. The program focuses on physical, academic, social, and emotional growth while expecting parent or guardian involvement through conferences, family events, and communication tools. Class sizes typically range from 18 to 20 students, with classrooms located in all county public elementary schools.
The Head Start program is run by The Improvement Association and serves children ages three and four in Dinwiddie County. It emphasizes education, health, nutrition, and family engagement. This full-day program also offers transportation for four-year-olds in designated zones and includes breakfast and lunch at no cost. Class sizes are smaller than those of Bright Stars, averaging 15 to 17 students per classroom with one teacher and one paraprofessional. Head Start targets children from low-income or at-risk households based on age, residency, and factors affecting school readiness.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) supports children ages two to four with disabilities through individualized instruction based on evaluation-based eligibility. ECSE classrooms operate Monday through Thursday following the DCPS calendar and provide transportation, meals, and certified staff support. DCPS collaborates with daycare centers, Head Start, and other early childhood providers through grant-funded Mixed Delivery programs overseen by Thrive Birth to 5. These partnerships aim to expand access to quality preschool opportunities across the county.
Dinwiddie County Public Schools serves students in Dinwiddie County with staff dedicated to providing instruction and support. The district emphasizes community involvement and multi-generational connections among students and staff. DCPS identifies its core values as excellence, equity, and integrity guiding academic programs and expectations for student behavior. The district’s logo and tagline “Deep Roots, Great Heights” represent its history of community support alongside expectations for student achievement. Dr. Kari Weston is the superintendent of DCPS.
