Mission - Perea provides an active learning environment where children become self-confident, creative and socially well adjusted. This environment will prepare children for academic success through readiness, health and safety and spiritual awareness.

History - In 1998, the principal at Caldwell Elementary School in North Memphis shared a story of a boy who did not know his name on the first day of school. When asked by a teacher, the boy said his name was Peanut. The teacher pointed out that this was a nickname and she would need his first name. He again said Peanut. In response to a question about his last name, the boy again responded with his nickname. The teacher realized that the boy had probably never been called by his real name. This was not an uncommon experience at Caldwell and hinted at the language development of entering kindergarten students.

After a series of conversations, a plan emerged to set up a high-quality early childhood program at Caldwell to help enrich students' lives by exposing them to an environment rich with language, numbers, colors, songs, games and loving teachers. Perea Preschool is the fruition of those early meetings.

Perea Preschool opened in July of 1999 with three classrooms of 48 three-year olds. Located in Caldwell Elementary School, Perea has grown to eight classrooms and a total of 128 three and four year olds. Using the High/Scope curriculum methodology, each class keeps a maximum 8/1 student/teacher ratio. Our staff currently consists of a principal, staff trainer, parent liaison, special programs coordinator, two speech therapists, 16 teachers and two floater teachers. All teachers and floater teachers are certified in the High/Scope curriculum through the Lead Teacher Training Program of the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation.

An after-school program is offered from 2:30 to 5:30 pm for a limited number of children in our program with working parents. The High/Scope methodology is also utilized in this structured program. An additional fee is required.

While many children begin school academically delayed, it is the goal of the Perea staff and parents to prepare each child for entering kindergarten at or above grade level, while developing good self-esteem, social skills and creativity.