A pilot program aimed at helping pre-kindergarten-aged kids in Sioux Falls is getting high marks after it's first year. It's called "Starting Strong in the Sioux Empire" and it's for at-risk children. Five sites around Sioux Falls took part in the first year of the pilot. Research shows kids who get quality early-childhood education have a much better chance of finishing school. That's just one of the things that prompted Sioux Falls business and education leaders to try and get funding for a 3 year Pre-K pilot for at-risk kids.

Now, an independent evaluator has checked in on the progress of the children in the "Starting Strong" classrooms. Dr. Gera Jacobs, a researcher at the University of South Dakota says she's seen gains in: early literacy skills, fine motor development, early number skills, listening and understanding language and speaking language.

It's good news for organizers who were already optimistic children would flourish in the "Starting Strong" pilot program. They're hopeful that when studies are done in the second and third years of the program, researchers will see even more gains among the kids, making them all the more ready to start kindergarten on the right foot.

The following were the sites for the program's first year

• Excel Discovery
• Kidz Club
• Volunteers of America-Dakotas
• Youth Enrichment Services
• Mark Twain Elementary

Apple Tree has joined the effort in Year 2