Before Kindergarten
Plan Ahead to Save
Michigan Education Savings Program/529 Plan: A savings plan available for caregivers and supporters age 18+ to start anytime for a child's post-secondary education. Learn more with the following resources:
Early Education Services
West Shore ESD Early Childhood Services: West Shore ESD offers fantastic programming and resources for early childhood education. Explore the following websites to learn more:
- Great Start Collaborative: The Mason-Lake-Oceana Great Start Collaborative is a partnership of parents, child care providers, service providers, businesses, and other community leaders who are committed to giving every child in our three-county region a great start in life. Access videos, activities, and more to support your young learner. GSC has a calendar filled with free events for parents and children of all ages.
- Early On: If you have a concern about a baby's health or development, Early On serves infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months with developmental delay or conditions that could lead to such delay. It has been well established that early intervention is an effective way to prevent or reduce problems for children at a later age.
- Great Start Readiness Program: GSRP is Michigan's state-funded PreK program for four-year-old children with factors that may place them at risk of educational failure. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).
- Early Childhood Special Education: Young children ages three through five who have a disability as defined by one of the categories listed are eligible for preschool services provided through the local school system. In Michigan, the categories of disability include: Speech/Language Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Cognitive Impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairment, Physical Impairment, Early Childhood Developmental Delay, Severe Multiple Impairment, Other Health Impairment.
Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Plan Ahead to Save
Michigan Education Savings Program/529 Plan: Elementary school is the perfect time to set up a MESP savings plan for your child if you haven't yet. MESP is available for caregivers and supporters aged 18 + to start a savings plan for their child's post-secondary education. Learn more with the following resources:
KickStart to Career (K2C): A children’s savings program brought to you by the Community Foundation for Mason County, Mason County schools (public, private, and charter), and local financial institutions. The K2C program provides every kindergarten student with a special account that will continue to grow over a child’s K-12 school years. These accounts will help children start saving money for their future career training or college expenses. The Community Foundation will contribute an initial $50 Deposit Day, and multiple community organizations will sponsor matching Deposit Days throughout your child's time in school.
- 1st Grade Carol Neslon $10 Deposit Day
- 2nd Grade Scottville and Ludington Optimist Clubs $10 Deposit Day
- 3rd Grade Safe Harbor Credit Union $10 Deposit Day
- 4th Grade United Way of Mason County $10 Deposit Day
- 5th Grade Ludrock $10 Deposit Day
Programming
WSCC Kids Programming: West Shore offers curated programs designed to ignite creativity, foster learning, and inspire fun-filled adventures.
- Discovery Quest: Designed as an introduction to career exploration, kids have the opportunity to walk a variety of pathways while journeying through hands-on activities and engaging projects. Ages 4-12, breakfast and lunch provided. Registration is $140 per week. Scholarships and transportation are available.
- College For Kids: West Shore's traditional one-week intensive program. Select 2 of 20+ class options designed to provide more in-depth experience within chosen pathways. Ages 9-15, breakfast and lunch provided. Registration is $175 per week.
- CTE & Me: Each May, 3rd-grade students from Mason, Lake, Oceana, and Manistee counties get the chance to spend the day at West Shore Community College learning about career and technical education (CTE) and community college programs.
Mason County District Library: The library holds free programming year-round for children and families of all ages. Come for storytime, Legos, free meals, painting, and more! Stop by the Scottville or Ludington branch for a program and/or to play and read.
