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Primary Project
The Wilder Foundation introduced Primary Project to the Saint Paul Public Schools in 2002 to assist children from low income and highly diverse populations to achieve school success from an early age.

The goals of Primary Project are to:

  • Help children get a good start in school by fostering a healthy self-image and useful social skills.
  • Identify individual needs early, leading to an education program beneficial to each child.
  • Improve children's school adjustment and performance.
  • Prevent the need for more specialized help at a later date.
Young children who have trouble adjusting to school often act out, become aggressive or withdrawn, or have a hard time getting along with peers and adults. Primary Project is considered one of the most successful school-based programs for preschool through third grade children with these concerns.

Students at risk for school adjustment problems are identified and screened by school staff, who then determine with the child's parents and teacher whether Primary Project is the appropriate program.  Once selected, the child has one-on-one thirty minute sessions for twelve weeks with a Child Associate in a specially equipped playroom.

Today, and for most of our 103 years, Wilder has worked to ensure that children are successful in school. Forming partnerships to improve educational achievement through collaboration with public schools continues to be a focus of our work.

To learn more about Wilder's Primary Project, visit our website at www.wilder.org