That’s right.  Boot camp for five-year-olds, but not like you think.  No uniforms, no screaming drill sergeants and no latrine duty.  Instead, kind and compassionate kindergarten teachers delivering a learning platform to prepare kids to start school.

United Way funds the program for Title One schools, which means that these schools have high poverty and low literacy rates for children entering kindergarten.  Recruitment begins at kindergarten registration.  A total of 115 students are enrolled from Boise, Nampa and Caldwell school districts.

The program is designed to better prepare low income and high-risk kindergarten students for the start of school in the fall.  The intent is to get the kids prepared, acclimated and enthusiastic about learning, so that they ultimately graduate from high school, go on to vocational training or secondary education and are enabled to live successful lives.

Depending on the school, Boot Camp lasts three to five weeks.  This is the third year for the program.  Statistics show that almost 60% of the kids who did attend the program were at or above grade level coming in, and 17% that did not attend were below grade level.

Some of the kids come into the program knowing their ABCs and numbers, but they don’t know how to make sense of them.  Games, activities and the use of sounds provide understanding as to how to apply what they already know.

More parents ask about the program every year.  It sounds like it’s filling a great need.  Way to go, United Way!