A Look Back at Head Start's 2025 End-of-Year Celebrations

As the school year came to a close, our Head Start sites across Cuyahoga County hosted end-of-year ceremonies to recognize the growth and progress of the children in our program. Each site planned its own celebration, tailored to its families and community. The goal was simple: make the children feel proud and seen.

At the events, children received their official Head Start t-shirt and a certificate of completion. Many classrooms also included performances—songs, dances, or short presentations—as part of the celebration. Parents, caregivers, and staff were invited to join and celebrate this important milestone.

This year, 804 children are transitioning from Head Start to kindergarten. It’s a big step, and our team has worked hard to make sure they’re ready both socially and academically. These ceremonies gave families a chance to reflect on how far their children have come.

The success of the program wouldn’t be possible without community involvement. Over the course of the school year, more than 959 individuals volunteered with our Head Start program. Of those, 650 were parents or former parents, a number that highlights the strong connection between families and our program.

We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this school year a success. The video below includes moments from our site celebrations and offers a glimpse into what makes Head Start more than just a preschool program. It’s a community effort to give every child a strong foundation.

Step Forward Early Head Start serving children from birth to age 3 and Head Start serving Children ages 3 - 5 is enrolling for the 2024-2025 school year and is FREE for eligible families! Give your child a Head Start and enroll today!

Step Forward Head Start is hiring!

The agency is offering a sign-on bonus of $5,000 for full time employees.

Positions include teachers, family service workers, nutrition aides and more. Step Forward Head Start is looking for education staff passionate about preparing young students for the future and helping them develop a love for learning early. Take a step toward a new fulfilling career today! Learn more and apply to open positions here.