43 preschoolers graduate from Rutgers–Camden ELRA

June 16, 2011

Forty-three children in the John S. and James L. Knight Early Learning Research Academy at Rutgers–Camden took one step closer to their eventual college degrees by graduating preschool on June 16th.  The ceremony was held at LEAP Lower School and was attended by over 150 parents and guests. 

Wearing red caps and gowns, the future Class of 2024 were presented with promotion diplomas by ELRA founder Dr. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, who created the ELRA preschool in 2001.  Since then 10 pre-K classes and over 350 children have completed the program and have been given the literacy skills to successfully enter kindergarten.

This year’s graduation comes just weeks before ELRA’s new $3.5 million facility opens its doors on 5th & Cooper Streets.  In September, 30 preschoolers and 32 children in ELRA’s new Infant & Toddler development program will be housed at the state-of-the-art education and research center. 

The preschool ceremony featured four different class songs and the program’s traditional Rutgers/LEAP preschool cheer.  These preschoolers are now ready to make the leap into Kindergarten while the remaining 45 students will go on to their second year at ELRA in September and will be joined by 45 incoming three-year olds.