Published on October 30, 2024
The Hilltop Early Learning Center, a proud member of the Columbus Early Learning Center network, is celebrating a successful first year of providing high-quality and affordable pre-kindergarten education. Located in the Hilltop neighborhood, the center addresses the critical need for early childhood education in underserved communities, a factor widely recognized as crucial for children’s long-term academic success and future opportunities.
Opened in Fall 2023 and operated by Columbus Early Learning Centers, this center represents a significant $24 million investment by the City of Columbus. This investment goes beyond education, offering holistic support to children and families in the Hilltop area. The center integrates a full-service health clinic run by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, along with counseling services, a food pantry, and other essential resources, creating a comprehensive support system for the community.
“When we first assessed the needs of the Hilltop community, we found that out of 2,000 four-year-olds residing here, only 152 were enrolled in high-quality pre-school programs. This disparity was simply unacceptable,” stated City of Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “To address this, we mobilized a broad community coalition to reverse this trend. Our comprehensive strategy focuses on enhancing learning outcomes and creating new pathways to opportunity. This center is a cornerstone of that strategy, aiming to ensure a brighter future for these children and all who benefit from its services.”
During the 2023-24 academic year, the Hilltop Columbus Early Learning Center served approximately 120 children from the Hilltop neighborhood. This year, the center is on track to reach its full capacity of 240 students. Importantly, all children enrolled at the center are automatically part of Early Start Columbus (ESC), enabling them to attend the program without tuition fees.
Learning institutions affiliated with ESC have consistently demonstrated outstanding student achievement. A study conducted by The Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy at The Ohio State University highlights the significant impact of these programs. ESC students, on average, score 10 percentage points higher in the top tier of academic assessments compared to their peers in Franklin County and across Ohio. Furthermore, only 18% of ESC students fall within the lowest academic tier, significantly lower than the 32% and 30% of kindergarteners in Franklin County and the state of Ohio respectively. This data underscores the effectiveness of the Columbus Early Learning Center model and its positive impact on early childhood education in Columbus.
