The new Engle Education Center officially opened in West Grove on September 17, and it seems as if this new addition to the educational infrastructure will be a major asset for Chester County schools.

The Chester County Intermediate Unit has transformed the former Fred S. Engle Middle School into a state-of-the-art education center that will house a variety of programs that will meet some of the educational needs in the county. The Engle Education Center is an additional location for the Child and Career Development Center, a preschool program encompassing preschool special education services, Head Start, and Early Head Start, and the Avon Grove District Office. The Engle campus offers specialized services in autistic support, emotional support, life skills support, and multiple disabilities support. Students also receive integrated therapies such as occupational, physical, and speech-language services in a safe, accessible environment.

As a growing county, the need for these services is increasing now and will likely continue to increase for the foreseeable future.

Chester County’s population is projected to increase by 6.9 percent by 2050, according to the Pennsylvania State Data Center. This projected population increase will coincide with rising educational and mental health needs for students.

Enrollment in Chester County’s Preschool Special Education programs has jumped significantly in recent years, growing from 2,391 students in the 2020–2021 school year to 3,535 students in 2024–2025. 

The new Engle campus allows students located in southern Chester County to stay closer to their school communities for a variety of important services, and consequently they can be more engaged in extracurricular and family activities. 

Districts are increasingly turning to the Chester County Intermediate Unit for support as developmental and mental health challenges intensify among learners. The Engle Education Center is a clear home run for students in the 12 school districts that are served by the Chester County Intermediate Unit. If the new Engle Education Center can make the grade when it comes to providing support to students who need it the most, then those students will also be able to make the grade as they progress through school.