Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center has received the Level 5 All STARS Performance Rating, the highest possible recognition from Kentucky All STARS, which is the state of Kentucky’s quality and rating and improvement system for early childhood education.
The rating will remain in effect for three years, from August 1, 2025, through August 1, 2028, according to a release from Henderson County Schools.
The release said that Kentucky All STARS standards are based on four domains, which are Family and Community Engagement, Classroom and Instructional Quality, Staff Qualifications and Professional Development and Administrative and Leadership Practices.
“We are extremely proud of our staff and families who made this recognition possible,” said Henderson County Schools Superintendent Bob Lawson in a prepared statement. “Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center is providing our youngest learners with the foundation they need to thrive in school and in life, while demonstrating Henderson County Schools’ commitment to pursue excellence every day.”
A STAR rating demonstrates a center’s commitment to high-quality early learning. Providers rated Level 3 or higher undergo a rigorous evaluation using a nationally standardized tool, the Environmental Rating Scale by Harms, Cryer and Clifford. All STARS programs also benefit from technical assistance coaches who guide quality improvement, safety and professional development, said the release.
Since opening in 2012, the Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center has served thousands of children in Henderson County. The Henderson County High School class of 2026 marks a milestone because it will include graduating seniors who attended preschool at the center, which according to HCS is a milestone that highlights the value of early learning in our community.
Who Preschool Serves
State-Funded Preschool (ages 3 & 4):
- Serves 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds with a diagnosed disability and 4-year-olds by August 1, 2025, who meet income eligibility guidelines.
- Families may also request free developmental screenings at Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center, 631 N. Green Street, or call (270) 854-0140.
Tuition-Based Preschool (ages 3 & 4):
- Available for children who are 3 or 4 by August 1, 2025, and do not meet income guidelines.