Our Purpose
Biddeford Ready! is a community-wide effort comprised of dozens of partners representing all sectors of the Biddeford community.
The Biddeford Ready! network of partners works together, shares resources, and aligns efforts to help the youngest members of the Biddeford community – from birth to age 5 – get the resources they need to be ready to enter kindergarten, or “school ready.”
There are 1,049 children under the age of 5 in Biddeford. Approximately one-third of those children live in poverty.
Why Focus on School Readiness?
Research confirms what we know to be true from experience – that a strong start is critical for a child’s long-term success. When children enter kindergarten ‘school ready,’ they are more likely to read at grade level by the end of third grade and graduate from high school on time. This impact continues into adulthood, effecting independence, employment, and so much more.
The Need in Biddeford
Like many communities in Maine, Biddeford struggles to ensure that all of its children are ready for school. As one example of the need only about one-third of incoming kindergartners in 2018 at Biddeford’s JFK Elementary School met developmental benchmarks to be ready to achieve their full potential in kindergarten.
Biddeford Ready! was created to address this critical community issue.
A Community-Wide Effort for Long-Term Change
Recognizing that no single organization can address the complex challenge of school readiness, Biddeford Ready! was founded by Biddeford Schools, the City of Biddeford, United Way of York County, and York County Community Action Corporation. Our network includes a wide variety of other partners – both individuals and organizations.