Mission
The Mission of the Education Department is to enable all Columbus Children to succeed in Columbus’ vibrant and growing economy and to develop into a highly-skilled, creative, entrepreneurial workforce that will propel economic growth in the 21st Century. The department will leverage the resources of the entire community to meet those goals.
Birth to Five
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther’s vision for America’s Opportunity City is that every child in Columbus enters kindergarten ready to learn. Becoming kindergarten-ready is about so much more than participating in a quality early learning program. While an early education is important, other developmental milestones must be reached and adverse life conditions overcome.
Strategies that assist children successfully transition to kindergarten focus on serving the overall needs of the whole child – and their families. Screenings that identify developmental delays early, along with referrals and rehabilitative services are crucial in meeting educational goals. Home-visitation or center-based education and advocacy programs provide important information to family members on the early developmental needs of their child. For children and families that have experienced trauma and toxic stresses, mental and behavioral health, and counselling services are necessary. And meeting the basic needs of the family, such as having access to fresh fruits and vegetables, stable housing, employment, childcare, and transportation are important for the success of the entire family.
Early Start Columbus
An early start to education is the right start for children in our Community.
Early Start Columbus
After School Grant Program
Learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends. The Department provides grants to Columbus providers to provide safe after-school environments for Columbus kids to continue their education at the end of the school day.