HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Christian County Public Schools held a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting during the reveal of newly renovated classrooms at the Martin Luther King Jr. Early Learning Center.
The center opened for local students in fall of 2024 at the former Indian Hills Elementary School building on Blane Drive in an effort to boost kindergarten readiness at an affordable cost. The building renovated to fit the needs of early learning students. Since then, there have been ongoing efforts to expand into additional classrooms as the need arises. Four additional completed and fully renovated rooms were unveiled to Jennie Stuart representatives and CCPS officials on Nov. 19, with plans announced to add more.
“This project was made possible through a partnership with Jennie Stuart Health, whose generosity allowed the center to completely renovate four early learning classrooms for use,” said a news release from CCPS. “Plans are underway to add an additional four classrooms in the near future.”
The collaboration with Jennie Stuart Health was announced over the summer, with additional funds provided to expand facilities, hire more staff, and offer resources to meet the growing demand for early learning programs.
Continuing efforts to expand the school, the Christian County Board of Education recently moved forward with plans to overhaul the playground equipment at the early learning center. Due to the revenue generated by the tuition of the preschool, the board felt they are in a position to invest $100,000 in new equipment that are specifically designed with preschoolers in mind.
CCPS added that the partnership with the hospital reflects the heart of the community, with the new spaces creating areas for students to learn, grow, and explore.
| RELATED STORY: South Christian Elementary ranks first for state assessments, equitable learning emphasized across district