Kelsi Somers, right, watches as her 5-year-old son Noah creates a diving project during a science projects demonstration at the Presbyterian Preschool in St Mark’s.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
By Clara Migoya for the Arizona Daily Star
Less than two months after the announcement of the closure of the preschool and kindergarten in St. Mark, a group of parents and teachers started a new school project that should be in operation until August.
“We’re not over the finish line yet, but I wouldn’t bet against us at this point,” said John Schaibley, a parent at St. Mark’s Preschool and now president of the Climbing Tree Community School Board.
The new Climbing Tree project is completely independent of St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, where the school was operated. However, the new board hopes to hire all existing preschool and kindergarten staff and currently register as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization.
Climbing Tree Community offers half– –Day and full-day programs for children ages 3 to 5 have six large classrooms, tuition between $ 470 and $ 825 per month, a maximum enrollment of $ 120, and a summer camp.
The Climbing Tree Community School campus is located in the vacant south wing of Tucson Unified’s Blenman Elementary, just 1.6 miles from St. Mark’s Preschool.
“The classrooms are fantastic: these 820 square feet classes with high ceilings. I was blown away when we found them,” said Schaibley.
The lease has been pre-approved and the Tucson Unified Board of Directors will vote on final approval on April 13th.
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