FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2025
Virginia, MN – Youngsters on the Iron Range are missing out on an opportunity to get a jumpstart on kindergarten. Educators with Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) report there has been an unusual enrollment decline in its Arrowhead Head Start classrooms in Hibbing. Hermantown Head Start classes also have vacant seats.
Head Start programs were developed in the early stages of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s war on poverty to provide promising beginnings to economically disadvantaged children. Sixty years later, preschoolers nationwide continue to benefit from the child development program.
“Healthy families and educated kids make better communities,” said AEOA Community Relations Manager Jerry Crittenden.
Families qualifying for Head Start services typically have incomes below federal poverty lines, however, up to 10 percent of families can have higher household incomes. Since the average income in Hermantown is higher than that in some Iron Range towns, Hermantown often has seats open.
The vacancies in Hibbing are not on trend for the area. Arrowhead Head Start Director Gabe Johnson said sometimes population decline can impact the number of students available to take part in the program.
Crittenden said Head Start classrooms are included in most northeastern Minnesota school districts. During the past 15 to 20 years, he said, Minnesota schools have been strengthening their own three- and four-year-old early childhood programs.
“This is beneficial for the kids,” Crittenden said, “We’re fortunate to work with our school districts to make sure all children are put in the program that works best for their families.”
The Head Start program is completely grant-funded, so there is never a charge to children’s caregivers. School-based early education programs apply for some of the same federal and state grant funding that supports Arrowhead Head Start classrooms.
Head Start enrollment is guided by a family-friendly philosophy to enroll families with the greatest need in a timely manner. One way the program does that is by allowing students to apply to and begin Head Start any time of the year. For instance, if a child turns three years old in December, the family could enroll the child starting in January.
Growing through the Generations
In 2000, Arrowhead Head Start added Early Head Start to its list of services for children and families. This program focuses on pregnant mothers and children from birth to age three through weekly home visits.
“We’ve found that some people are skeptical, at first, with a stranger coming into their home, but then they really end up enjoying it,” Crittenden said. “It’s oneon one education with the child while also showing parents how they can create learning opportunities for their children with things they already have in their homes.”
Alicia Varani’s daughters have been involved in the Virginia early education program since they were babies. Her oldest, Ezri, is now three years old and in Head Start. Ezri’s little sister, Evelyn, is almost two and part of the Early Head Start program.
“I was in Head Start myself as a child,” Varani shared. “I had a good experience with it, so I sought it out once I learned I was pregnant.” Varani describes Head Start as an asset for her girls and approves of the program’s focus on parents and caregivers being children’s “first teachers.”
In addition to education, Head Start provides socialization and whole family care. The program offers health, nutrition, mental health, disability and family support services. Trained professionals work with pregnant mothers, children up to age five, and their families on prenatal, early childhood development and school readiness.
“With our Head Start being intertwined with AEOA, they have a whole arsenal of assistance programs for those who are in need,” Varani said.
She appreciates having a verifiable and reliable source of information to help with challenges like teething, toilet training and discipline tips. Varani added that visits also focus on providing resources, including learning how to enroll in higher education and finding financial resources for homeownership.
“Nobody is truly comparable with our family component,” Crittenden said. “We’re making sure the family is happy and safe so the child can come to school.”
This is Ezri’s first year going to school in a Head Start classroom and riding the bus. Varani said it took her daughter a couple weeks to acclimate, but now she’s excited when she sees the bus arrive. AEOA assists with transportation to Arrowhead Head Start classrooms.
“Ezri loves it,” Varani said. “When she comes home, she’s always excited to show me what’s in her backpack.”
Varani is currently a stayat home mom while her husband works to support their family. “It doesn’t make financial sense for me to work literally to pay someone else to watch my child,” she said.
By staying home, Varani is able to participate in her youngest daughter’s education during Early Head Start home visits. Evelyn’s home educator has known the family for years. She met Evelyn in the hospital on the day she was born.
When she visits each week, Varani works with her to teach Evelyn colors, shapes, read books and work on cognitive skills with activities like stringing beads and puzzles. “As well as crafts such as paints or other messy things us parents avoid when we’re by ourselves,” Varani joked.
Socialization through the Early Head Start program involves visiting local libraries and other community events.
In addition to the nine Head Start classrooms on the Iron Range in Babbitt, Chisholm, Eveleth, Hibbing and Virginia, Arrowhead Head Start will be opening an Early Head Start program in Virginia. The center will be able to care for and teach eight babies up to 18 months old and eight tots from 18 months to three years old. Opening of the center is planned by the start of the new year.
If you do not live in a city where a Head Start classroom is located, but are within Lake and St. Louis County (outside of Duluth), Head Start services may be available to you. In Duluth, school districts administer their own Head Start programs.
Arrowhead Head Start buses are available in most locations to help children get to Head Start classrooms safely. The buses are driven and maintained by Arrowhead Transit, an AEOA transportation line.
To apply for Arrowhead Head Start, call 218-748-7351 or visit the agency’s website to complete an online application at aeoa.org/applying-for-services.