In early April, Gervais School District’s preschool program reached an exciting milestone: a 3-star rating from SPARK, Oregon’s Quality Recognition and Improvement System for early learning. District-supported, non-Head Start preschools in Oregon rarely achieve this level of recognition, making Gervais’s accomplishment especially noteworthy.
“This isn’t just a gold star on paper—it’s a sign that we’re giving our youngest learners the strongest possible start,” said Dr. Creighton Helms, Director of Student Services & Federal Programs at Gervais School District. “We chose to go through this voluntarily because we believe families deserve to know their children are in a high-quality, developmentally appropriate, and nurturing environment.”
SPARK evaluates early childhood programs through a rigorous and comprehensive checklist that focuses on curriculum, safety, learning environments, staff training, and child development best practices. The process demands deep reflection and dedication—and earning a rating means going well above and beyond what’s expected. Dr. Helms and Beth Flores, the district’s dedicated PreK Program Coordinator, made a shared commitment to pursue the rating no matter how long it took. “We sat down and said, ‘We’re going to do this right.’ It’s not just about having a program—it’s about moving the needle for these kids,” Helms explained.
As part of the process, the Gervais preschool team had to clearly articulate the values and vision behind their program. From their family handbook:
“We believe that young children learn best in a nurturing and play-based environment. Our goal is to create an environment where all children and staff are highly valued. Our child-led program encourages intentional, open-ended play-based activities in the classroom. Children can explore the world and their relationships with others in a safe environment. Parents are valuable partners, and we believe that by working together we can help children develop their full potential.”
“Our goal at Gervais Early Learning Center is to create a high-quality preschool environment for young children,” Flores shared. “We have all worked hard to improve the quality of our care. We are proud of our three-star rating, but we will continue to learn and grow as professionals to provide the highest quality early learning center for the families we serve.”
The preschool program, which has been steadily growing over the past six to eight years, is funded by Preschool Promise and has become the largest single-slot provider in Marion County. The need in the Gervais community is clear, with many families relying on affordable early learning options. Currently, the preschool operates three classrooms in sync, sharing resources, serving a wide range of children—including those with developmental disabilities—and never turning a child away due to their level of need.
“It takes a whole team,” Helms added. “It takes a superintendent like Dandy Stevens who believes in early learning, a district willing to invest in something this foundational, and staff who are willing to go through hours of professional development and implement research-backed curriculum with care.”
The SPARK rating isn’t just a stamp of approval—it’s a sign that Gervais is building something exceptional. From imaginative play to guided instruction, the district’s preschool is setting the stage for kindergarten readiness and long-term student success.
Congratulations to Beth Flores and her incredible team for their tireless work and unwavering commitment to early childhood education!
To learn more about all of the exciting things happening at GSD, read more in the April Edition of our Community Connections Newsletter!