SharpSchool SS8

Marshall Early Childhood Center serves as the Head Start campus for Marshall ISD. Head Start is a 12-county program through the Region 7 Education Service Center providing comprehensive services to children ages birth – 5 years from low income families. In addition, the Early Head Start program design includes center based options and home based services for pregnant moms. All enrolled students receive a physical examination, immunizations, lead screening, vision exam, developmental and hearing screenings, and dental care. Head Start recognizes that parents and families are the strongest supporters of their children and encourages involvement as their children’s advocates. Research shows that children whose parents are involved in their education do better in school. By law, Head Start programs must help parents and families support their children as they enter Early Head Start or Head Start, and as they transition from Head Start to kindergarten, another preschool program, or a child care setting. Head Start explores opportunities for parents of students to expand their education, find or get a better job, and tap into support groups where parents and family members encourage each other. For more information on the Head Start Program, visit the program's website by clicking here.

Marshall Early Childhood Center, formerly Washington Early Childhood Center, opened at its current location on Meadow Street in the fall of 2019. The move across town to the old South Marshall Elementary building coincided with the district's decision to make the school a full-day pre-kindergarten campus for the first time in MISD history.

Previously, at its old location on Evans Street as Washington Early Childhood, the school had been a half-day, two-session campus. Washington Early Childhood Center was originally Booker T. Washington Elementary School, a seven-room building completed in 1958. Children first entered the 3 1/2-acre campus on January 26, 1969. Students from the Mound, Liberty, Pine Grove and Shady Grove schools and one division from the fifth grade at J.H. Moore Elementary School were transferred to Washington. Grades 1-7 were taught under the leadership of principal Frances P. Wallace. Initially, BTW operated as a unit of J.H. Moore Elementary under the supervision of Paul E. Moon.

In 1999, WECC became the main Head Start campus, serving only students in that program, and pre-kindergarten. The school also had oversight of "WECC II," the rented Marshall Head Start Center at 2614 East End Blvd. South. In fall 2002 eight classrooms and a library were added as WECC began housing all MISD Head Start students. Enrollment increased from 213 to 312 students with enrollment of Head Start students from "WECC II," Carver and South Marshall.