Welcome to the Mountain View School District Head Start and Children’s Center! We are a federally and state-funded preschool program serving preschool children and their families in the El Monte area. We are a Delegate Agency of the Los Angles County Office of Education (LACOE) Head Start/State Preschool Grantee. Mountain View School District has been participating in the Head Start program since it’s inception in 1965, and district leadership continues to support the importance of the program for our children and families.

Recognizing that children’s future depend on their social, emotional and physical well being, our Head Start and Children’s Center programs work with parents and communities to ensure that children receive the educational, social and health services needed to succeed both in their present environment and later in life.

The program provides services to 368 children and families living in the Mountain View service area per LACOE guidelines.  There are 23 center-based classes in 8 schools which includes the 2 Early Head Start center-based classes housed at the Payne School site and the original 2 Early Head Start Center-based classes house at the Cogswell site.  In addition, the agency has 5 Early Head Start home-based program options which have group connections at Baker and Monte Vista that operates 240 days a year.

At most sites, there are morning and afternoon Head Start classes operating from 8:00 am to 11:30 am, and 12:00 noon to 3:30 pm for 175 days per year.  In addition to the part-day morning and afternoon classes at Baker, Maxson, Miramonte, and Parkview, the agency also offers a 6.5-hour Full-day program at Baker, Cogswell, Maxson, and Kranz. The Children’s Center 01, 02, 03 operates from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm 240 days per year for parents that work or study full-time (12 months) for 48 preschool students. The School-age program provides a morning and after school program for students attending Twin Lakes School.

Eligibility for all programs is based on family need and income. Families of foster students, families receiving public assistance, and families experiencing homelessness are categorically eligible for the program. The agency serves at least 10% of the total enrollment for students with special needs.

Head Start & Children’s Center programs involve parents in many of the program’s operations. The Children‘s Center has an organized Parent Advisory group, and the Head Start program has a Policy Committee, made up of parents and community representatives. Both parent groups are decision making bodies of the organizations. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom and to attend training offered to assist them in becoming qualified for a variety of employment opportunities within their community. Preschool applications are taken Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am to 3:30 pm – walk-ins are always available. Appointments can be scheduled if necessary.