Casa del Carmen Preschool Academy is a PHLpreK and Keystone Stars 4 program that provides full-service, early childhood education to children between the ages of three and five

This morning at a special celebration, Casa del Carmen Preschool Academy, a ministry of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (CSS), marked the end of the 2019-2020 academic year by honoring 45 graduates and their families with a drive-through graduation ceremony.

Dedicated staff distributed diplomas, award certificates, and bags filled with essential kindergarten supplies such as crayons, scissors, and folders. Children also received a kindergarten-level book, a graduation teddy bear, and a t-shirt with the saying, “We survived preschool and quarantine 2020.”

Ms. Shari Gold, Director of Casa del Carmen Preschool Academy said, “We are excited to be celebrating our preschool class of 2020. This is the second largest graduation class since we started the PHLpreK program!”

Since 1998, Casa del Carmen Preschool Academy has been serving the Hunting Park neighborhood in North Philadelphia. Once students have graduated from the program, after-school and full-day summer camp programs are offered which provide a safe place for continued growth and learning.

In addition, the Preschool acts as a channel to CSS services offered at Casa del Carmen Family Service Center including parenting programs, nutrition classes, emergency food and clothing support, a benefits access program, and English as a Second Language classes. Parent Educators also offer Abriendo Puertas, a program that helps parents learn the intricacies of the school system and become advocates for their children’s education.

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Editor’s Note: Catholic Social Services (CSS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia offers community-based and residential programs and services to support men, women and children in need as an expression of the charitable works of our local Church throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. To learn more about CSS programs that serve a wide variety of human needs, please visit https://cssphiladelphia.org/.