MRC Preschool Earns Colorado’s Highest Rating

MRC Preschool has earned a Level 5 Colorado Shines rating, the highest possible rating a program can achieve. Our new rating recognizes the exceptional learning environment our team has built. Colorado Shines rates early learning programs on an up-to five-level scale, with Level 5 awarded only to programs that demonstrate excellence across classroom practice, family engagement, and support for children’s growth and well-being.

One of the things that sets our preschool apart is the way we blend strong academic foundations with a deep commitment to social and emotional development. In early childhood, social-emotional skills—like managing emotions, building friendships, solving problems, and staying curious—are powerful predictors of later school success. Children learn best when they feel safe, connected, and confident, and our teachers intentionally nurture these abilities every single day through responsive interactions, predictable routines, and opportunities for children to practice independence and cooperation. Colorado’s quality standards place great emphasis on the importance of warm teacher-child interactions and a supportive learning environment, which are central strengths of our program.

Our academic approach is structured with care but filled with playful energy, making rigorous early learning feel exciting for our preschoolers. Children build early literacy and numeracy skills through play, storytelling, problem-solving, and carefully designed learning centers. Our teachers plan with purpose, using developmentally informed strategies that help children make meaningful connections and prepare confidently for kindergarten. Our Level 5 rating reflects the strength of this balanced approach: one that honors the joy of early childhood while building the foundations for future academic success.

Our small class sizes make this level of individualized attention possible. With fewer children in each group, teachers can build meaningful relationships, tailor learning experiences, and notice the small moments—both challenges and breakthroughs—that help each child thrive. Small classes also allow for more hands-on exploration, and more opportunities for children to engage deeply with materials and ideas. These are hallmarks of high-quality early learning environments recognized in Colorado’s quality framework.

Families also benefit from the broader support network available on site at MRC. Access to our Food Share Market, case management, health resources, and community classes helps ensure that children and families feel supported as a whole, another factor that strengthens learning and well-being.

Earning a Level 5 rating is a reflection of our entire community—teachers, volunteers, staff, and families—working together to create an environment where every child is seen, supported, and inspired to grow. It affirms that MRC Preschool offers not only a warm and nurturing place to learn, but one of the highest-quality early childhood experiences available in Colorado.