HAZLETON, Pa. — The Hazleton Area School District is seeing a growing number of new students enrolling in the district. Superintendent Brian Uplinger says Hazleton Area is the fastest-growing district in the state.
"When I started here seven years ago, the district had 11,500 students, and now we're up to 13,200. So, we have expanded from 13 buildings to 16," explained Uplinger.
The newest building aims to mold the minds of the district's youngest students. The Hazleton Area Academy on 10th Street is home to several programs, including Hazleton's early intervention program for special education for kids ages 3 to 5.
"Then we have our Pre-K Counts program, which are children who qualify based on financial status and at risk, so any child that might also be in special education or an English language learner or is experiencing homelessness," said early intervention supervisor Laura Shook.
Shook says for many families, private pre-K programs are not always affordable.
The programs moved from its old space in Hazle Township. Classes here started last month. The district invited local leaders to see the new space.
The early intervention program currently has 100 students enrolled. The move into the new space allows the district to provide a lot more.
"This is more for social and emotional needs, letters, things like that. The very basics that we provide the students here," explained Uplinger.
"We are able to provide that learning experience on how to be a student so when they get to kindergarten, they are ready to hit the ground running with academics," said Shook.
Hazleton Area Academy is also home to the district's Aspire program, which continues education for special needs students after high school.