Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment
Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment measures the percentage of 3- and 4-year-old children living in the St. Louis region who have attended a preschool class (pre-K) in the past three months. In 2016, about 53% of 3- and 4-year-old children were enrolled in pre-K across the four-county region.
Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Indicator Scores
City of
St. Louis
St. Louis
County
St. Charles
County
St. Clair
County
Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016
Data Note: PUMS data may differ slightly from estimates on American FactFinder due to differences in sampling. See PUMS technical documentation for more information. The number of sample cases is too small to report reliable estimates for additional racial groups.
What does this score mean?
A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in the outcomes between black and white populations. The lower the Equity Score, the greater the disparity.
For Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment, a score of 100 – a score reflecting racial equity – would mean black and white children are attending pre-kindergarten classes. It is important to note that for this indicator, equity is not our only goal; we also want to improve outcomes for all.
WHAT DOES THIS ANALYSIS MEAN?
Across the region, white children are overall 34% more likely than black children to be attending pre-K. In the City of St. Louis, 76% of age-eligible white children had attended preschool in the previous three months, compared to 55% of black children. In St. Clair County, 70% of age-eligible white children had attended preschool compared to 50% of black children, and in St. Louis County, 60% of white children had attended preschool compared to 35% of black children. In St. Charles County, there were no age-eligible black children that had attended preschool in the preceding three months according to the 2016 data.
If enrollment rates were equitable, the number of black children enrolled in pre-K would increase by:
- 1090 in the City of St. Louis,
- 285 in St. Charles County,
- 397 in St. Clair County, and
- 1,361 in St. Louis County.
Why Does Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Matter?
According to the Ferguson Commission’s report, “During the first few years of life, the human brain develops rapidly, and the foundation is laid for future cognitive skills in reading, math, science, and learning in general. During these critical years, children form budding character, social, emotional, gross-motor, and executive-function skills.” Additionally, the report cites studies that show children who participate in early childhood education have long-lasting advantages including a higher likelihood of graduating from high school and being employed. A Federal Reserve study determined that “for every dollar invested in high-quality pre-K programs, the community sees a rate of return between 7 and 20%.”
WHICH CALLS TO ACTION FROM THE FERGUSON COMMISSION’s REPORT ARE LINKED WITH THIS INDICATOR?
The Ferguson Commission made the following calls to action related to pre-K:
Questions for Further Investigation:
- Why is there a racial disparity in Pre-K Enrollment?
- What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in Pre-K Enrollment?
- What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in Pre-K Enrollment?
How can I learn more about this issue?
Vision for Children at Risk mobilizes the St. Louis region to take action on the critical needs of children. This organization founded the St. Louis Regional Early Childhood Council (RECC), which works to build a comprehensive system that addresses the full range of early childhood needs for all St. Louis-area children. In September 2017, the RECC released a report studying the location and type of early care and education programs in the St. Louis region: Building Blocks Report.
The Urban League Head Start program provides early childhood education services for low-income children and families. Parents can apply to enroll their children in St. Louis Public Schools pre-K. Those forms are available online.
Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment
Three and four-year-olds who have attended pre-K in the last three months
| All | White | Black | Disparity Ratio | Equity Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Enrolled in Pre-K | 4,633 | 1,598 | 2,888 | ||
Children Aged 3 & 4 Years Old | 8,312 | 2,101 | 5,227 | ||
Percentage Enrolled in Pre-K | 65.70% | 76.10% | 55.30% | 1.377 to 1 | 67 |
Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016
Three and four-year-olds who have attended pre-K in the last three months
| All | Black | White | Disparity Ratio | Equity Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Enrolled in Pre-K | 11,644 | 1,949 | 7,813 | ||
Children Aged 3 & 4 Years Old | 22,537 | 5,516 | 13,013 | ||
Percentage Enrolled in Pre-K | 51.60% | 35.30% | 60.0% | 1.699 to 1 | 53 |
Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016
Three and four-year-olds who have attended pre-K in the last three months
| All | Black | White | Disparity Ratio | Equity Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Enrolled in Pre-K | 5,133 | 0 | 4,373 | ||
Children Aged 3 & 4 Years Old | 10,390 | 586 | 9,006 | ||
Percentage Enrolled in Pre-K | 49.40% | 0.0% | 48.6% | 0 to 1 | 0 |
Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016
Three and four-year-olds who have attended pre-K in the last three months
| All | Black | White | Disparity Ratio | Equity Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Enrolled in Pre-K | 4,263 | 972 | 2,360 | ||
Children Aged 3 & 4 Years Old | 7,028 | 1,945 | 3,350 | ||
Percentage Enrolled in Pre-K | 60.70% | 50.00% | 70.40% | 1.408 to 1 | 65 |
Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016