by Gina Christian • Posted June 15, 2021

Students at a Delaware County parish recently donned their academic finery to wrap up a milestone academic year: kindergarten.

The St. Cornelius Early Learning Center in Chadds Ford graduated a class of 25 during a June 4 ceremony, with director Abigail Kohlbrenner handing each blue-robed child a diploma as proud parents held up their cell phone cameras.

With Pennsylvania having lifted most of its pandemic restrictions May 31, the indoor and in-person ceremony was an opportunity to show “gratitude to the teachers and parents for all the hard work that went into making this year a success,” said Kohlbrenner.

The school, located on the extensive campus of St. Cornelius Parish, was “very fortunate” to have its students in the classrooms “five days a week this year, full day,” she added, something that was possible through “the cooperation and support of … families and staff.”

For their part, the students were “so resilient through everything,” said Kohlbrenner.

“No matter what changes were made — new rules, guidelines that we had to follow — they took everything with so much grace and a positive attitude,” she said.

Overall, the school had a total of 71 students enrolled in kindergarten, PreK-4 and PreK-3. The curriculum, which fosters children’s academic, spiritual, moral and physical well-being, also features robotics, science instruction, and arts and crafts, along with before- and after-school care.

But for now, students can take a breather from their homework and projects, and just be kids for a while, said Kohlbrenner.

“We hope that they enjoy their summer with fun activities, and get to enjoy time spent with their families,” she said.