The Knox County Educational Service Center (Knox ESC) operates a preschool for the Mount Vernon City School District at the New Hope Early Education Center on Upper Gilchrist Road. Students from Mount Vernon are welcome to apply there. The preschool program maintains classrooms with low student-to-teacher ratios and supports general education students and students with special needs.

Classes operate Monday-Thursday with an AM or PM session and follow the Mount Vernon City Schools calendar. Tuition is on a sliding scale and based on household income.

The Knox County ESC has a long history of successfully operating preschools around the county and has been awarded the highest 5-Star rating in Ohio's Step Up To Quality program. ESC classrooms are taught by highly qualified, licensed teachers and each classroom has a teacher assistant.  Students engage in play-based learning while working to master preschool skills in order to prepare for kindergarten.

To enroll your child in a preschool classroom at New Hope, contact Knox ESC at 740-393-6980 or select Knox ESC Preschool Enrollment.