The Creighton School District Developmental Preschool provides special education services in a caring and nurturing environment for preschool aged children with developmental delays. 

Eligibility
If a child demonstrates delays, during the play-based screening, the early childhood special education evaluation team will further assess the child in five developmental domains; communication, motor, adaptive, cognitive, and social-emotional. If a child is then found eligible for services, an Individual Education Program (IEP) is written to address the needs of the child and s/he is offered placement at one of our Developmental Preschool classes.

To determine whether your child is eligible for Developmental Preschool, and to schedule a screening contact Dr. Holly Asher Drinen at (602)381-4600 or email hasherdrinen@creightonschools.org. 

Screening Dates: 

We serve 3, 4, and 5 year old students. 

*If the Vision and Hearing Screening is not conducted during a scheduled screening date (see above), a separate date, time, and location will be determined and scheduled.

Screenings are by appointment only. Please contact Dr. Holly Drinen or her assistant Mrs. Adriana Uriarte at 602-381-4600 or auriarte@creightonschools.org to schedule an appointment and complete an intake interview prior to your child’s scheduled screening observation date.

Arriving after scheduled appointment time MAY result in having to reschedule your child’s appointment for the following month. So, please make every effort to be on time.

Screening Location: Papago School (WEST CAMPUS) Preschool Office #210 2052 North 36t h Street Phoenix, AZ 85008

NOTE: A child must reside within Creighton School District to attend a screening. If you are out of our attendance area, please contact your local school district for more information.

Screening flyer 

Preschool Days, Times and Locations
The program operates 4 days a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays) and is 3 hours with an A.M. and P.M. option for families. The time of the program is determined by location. Locations and times include: 

Gateway School
1100 N. 35th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Time: 8:10 A.M. - 11:10 A.M.
     12:20 P.M. - 3:20 P.M. 

Wiliam T. Machan School
2140 E. Virginia Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 381-6120

Papago School
2013 N. 36th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008
(602) 381-6100 

The Creighton Academy 
2802 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85008
(602) 381-6060

Transportation
Transportation is provided for eligible students who live within the district boundaries. 

Cost
The Developmental Preschool is FREE for eligible students. 

Program Details
The Developmental Preschool provides a full range of services including therapies and classes designed to meet the developmental needs of each student based on their Individual Education Plan (IEP). 

Additional Opportunities 
An additional placement option for preschool special needs students is the district's full-day (6hrs) Grant Funded Preschool Program. Special needs four-year-old preschoolers who meet the grant requirements (reside in the 4 zip codes, are 4 years old by September 1st and meet the income eligibility criteria) may be placed in the Grant Funded Preschool Program. Contact Dr. Holly Asher Drinen to see if your child qualifies at 602) 381-4600 or email hasherdrinen@creightonschools.org.