The Lakeview Early Education Center has reached a major milestone, earning a 5 STAR designation from the Vermont Child Development Division—the highest rating awarded to early childhood programs in the state. STARS (STep Ahead Recognition System)  is Vermont’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS) for child care, preschool, and afterschool programs.

Principal Beth Parker announced the achievement, which became official on March 10, 2026, following an extensive application process. Lakeview had previously held a 3 STAR provisional rating as a newer program.

“Over the February break, I spent a couple of days gathering all the evidence to apply for 5 STARS,” Parker said. “During this process I was able to collect data from each classroom to support our application. This resulted in us officially becoming a 5 STAR program. The lead-up work from the entire staff has been immense, and I am incredibly proud of all of them.”

The Vermont STARS system evaluates early education programs based on rigorous criteria, including goal setting, instructional quality, and the use of evidence-based practices. Programs must also demonstrate strong documentation and ongoing assessment of children’s growth and development. Participation in STARS means that a program is striving beyond licensing regulations to meet higher quality standards, uphold professional practices, and commit to continuous quality improvement.

While Head Start programs automatically receive a 5 STAR rating due to federal monitoring requirements—and have maintained that distinction for several years—Lakeview was still required to complete the full application process despite its collaboration with Head Start. That partnership, combined with the dedication of Lakeview’s staff, helped make the achievement possible.

Lakeview Early Education Center, now in its first full year of operation as a full-day, full-week dedicated pre-kindergarten program, hosts three classrooms and serves 31 students. The program was also granted Universal Pre-K status last fall, allowing families from neighboring towns to enroll and enabling the district to receive tuition revenue for participating students.

The school’s mission centers on building “a joyful community of empowered learners where all people feel safe, heard and valued.” Through hands-on, outdoor experiences and developmentally appropriate learning, Lakeview fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love of exploration in nature.

Preschool registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open. Families interested in learning more or enrolling can visit: https://www.ossu.org/enroll/pre-kindergarten

With its new 5 STAR designation, Lakeview Early Education Center continues to establish itself as a leader in early childhood education—where wonder, discovery, and high-quality learning go hand in hand.