RailHawks Stepping Stones is a preschool program specifically designed for 3-year-olds who want to begin experiencing preschool.  The guiding principles for RailHawks Stepping Stones are to develop social skills while making friends, gaining independence, and discovering new ideas through creative play.

Children who are 3 years old by September 1st of the current school year are eligible to participate in this program.  Classes meet twice per week for 2.5 hours per day with a Minnesota Department of Education licensed educator and trained support staff.

RailHawk Stepping Stones is a 4-Star Parent Aware-rated program.  Our staff participates in continuous quality training and professional development to excel at using best practices that Support Successful Learners.

RailHawks Preschool is a continuum of services offered by our Early Learning team for children who are preparing for the transition to kindergarten the following year. Preparation for supporting successful learners starts with student curiosity that is nurtured by teachers who understand the science of how students learn best, which is at their own pace and according to their own interests. It is natural and encouraged for children to learn through play, and alongside you, we will foster a love of life-long learning through creative movement, visual arts, and music. Other significant components will include literacy, math, science, and social-emotional learning to better prepare a successful learner. 

RailHawks Preschool is a top-rated 4-Star Parent Aware program.  Our staff participates in continuous quality training and professional development to excel at using best practices in Supporting Successful Learners.

Nature RailHawks Preschool is also a continuum of services offered by our Early Learning team for children who are preparing for the transition to kindergarten the following year. Our licensed educators take the traditional preschool classroom outdoors. Students spend at least half the day outdoors in our school forest engaging and learning through outdoor exploration. Research shows that open-ended play in nature provides children with the opportunity to use creativity, develop self-regulation skills, and enjoy a variety of physical and mental health benefits. Our nature preschool programs focus on nature-related thematic units including insects, trees, seasons, hibernation, and more as students continue their growth in the areas of literacy, math, science, and social-emotional learning in preparation for a successful learner.

Nature RailHawk Preschool is a 4-Star Parent Aware-rated program.  Our staff participates in continuous quality training and professional development to excel at using best practices for Supporting Successful Learners.

Kids’ Zone is a unique opportunity for families to participate in high-quality wrap-around care following our 4 & 5-year-old preschool opportunities. Our programs take place in a safe and nurturing environment and all participating students receive support through recreational and enrichment opportunities. Available locations include Bay View Elementary, Pike Lake Elementary School, and Hermantown Community Learning Center.

To register for wrap-around care you will need to do so online at ph.ce.eleyo.com beginning May 1, 2023.

AM CARE ONLY - $55/month

PM CARE ONLY - $60/month

AM & PM CARE - $115/month

Proctor Early Childhood Center

202 5th Street; Proctor

Pike Lake Elementary School

5682 Martin Road; Duluth

Bay View Elementary School

8708 Vinland St; Duluth

Hermantown Community Learning Center

4333 Hawk Circle Drive; Hermantown

To discover more about the significance of Parent Aware ratings in your school district, and to better understand why your child should participate in an accredited program visit the link the below.

https://parentaware.org/learn/stars-defined/

Our preschool programs begin registration on March 1. Registration takes place online or over the phone.

Little Rails & Little Hawks Registration - ONLINE

By Appointment: 218.729.9563

We are now offering 5-days/all day preschool programming at the following locations.

Bay View Elementary: RailHawks Preschool & Nature RailsHawks

Pike Lake Elementary: Nature RailHawks

Hermantown Elementary: Nature RailHawks

Sarah Dennis, Early Learning Program Manager
sdennis@isd700.org | 218.729.9563 

Roxy Olsen-Hurst, Assistant Director of Community Education: Early Learning

rolsenhurst@proctor.k12.mn.us | 218.626.6404