Detroit Head Start History

In July, 1965, Detroit Head Start was one of the first in the nation to pilot a program. The first program was a six-week summer session that was housed at the First Baptist Church.  The program was eventually moved to an old library building located on the site of the now elementary parking lot and was extended to part-day/part-year. 

            From the library, the program was moved to its present location.  The office and two classrooms are located in what was the old homemaking building until the new junior high and high school were built in 1974.  In 1987, the program was once again moved, this time to the east end of the elementary building.  It stayed there until 1988, when it was once again moved back to its now present site because the “twenty-two students per classroom compliance” came into effect and the elementary had to have the additional classrooms. 

            One time funds were received in 1989 to renovate the deteriorating facility.  Two portable buildings were added in 1991 and 1992.  Enrollment expanded from 34 students to 69 students and still stands at 69 to this day.  Two computers per classroom were added for the students in 1990 and teachers received computers in 2000.  Detroit Head Start was granted its Day Care License in 2001.

            There are fourteen full-time employees and of those, eleven are past Head Start parents.  One employee has a master of education in Early Childhood.  Another employee has a bachelor of science in Early Childhood.  There are three employees with associate degrees that are continuing their education at a four-year university.  Of the fourteen employees, eleven have a CDA (Child Development Associate Credential) and half of the employees have been with the program for ten years or more.   

            Detroit Head Start continues to strive for excellence and to stay on the “cutting edge” of education and technology. Our logo is “Detroit Head Start~Where Learning Is Fun”.