Contra Costa County Head Start wishes to inform the North Richmond community that the Verde Children’s Center, located at Verde School, permanently closed in June 2026, at the end of the school year.
This difficult decision was made after careful consideration of several factors, including sustained low enrollment at Verde Head Start which has decreases to only eight children. When Verde School began offering Transitional Kindergarten, the number of enrolled Head Start students decreased from 32 to 12. As a Head Start program, maintaining enrollment levels is essential to preserving funding and ensuring continued high-quality services.
Despite significant outreach and recruitment efforts to serve families in the area, enrollment levels have remained below required thresholds for an extended period. The introduction of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at Verde School has resulted in families enrolling their children in TK instead of Head Start.
Contra Costa County Head Start remains committed to supporting all affected families and the North Richmond community. Children currently enrolled will receive priority placement at nearby Head Start locations with available classroom space, and County Head Start staff will work directly with families to facilitate a smooth transition. In addition, all current Head Start staff members will be re assigned to other Head Start locations, and no employees will lose their positions before of the closure.
While this change will impact some families and the community, Contra Costa Head Start is committed to ensuring continued access to quality early childhood education and comprehensive support for North Richmond families.
Questions?
Please email [email protected] or call (925) 608-8836.