A Stateline preschool is the first in the state to receive a top rating from Nevada’s quality review program.

Roots and Wings Preschool, which is located at the Kahle Community Center in Stateline, received a five-star rating from Silver State Stars.

“I’m very proud of our school, and what we have been able to accomplish,” said Shelly Martinez, director of Roots and Wings. “To be the first school in the state to earn a five-star rating speaks to the dedication of our teachers, community center staff, the support of our administration, and the passion for learning from the children and families here.”

Patti Oya of the Southern Nevada Office of Early Care and Education said the program is only a year old and that Roots and Wings was one of the first preschools to sign up when it began.

She said daycares take 12-18 months to be rated, and that Roots and Wings was able to complete the rating early because it already had national accreditation.

In 2003 Roots and Wings was awarded accreditation through the National Association for Education of Young Children, and in 2012 received a surprise visit from a representative from Washington, D.C., where accreditation was validated with a score of 96 percent. The preschool applied for reaccreditation this year and was again awarded with a high score of 99.5 percent.

The preschool has operated out of the Kahle Community Center since it was built in 1994, and the program continues to be financially sufficient.

There are 45 preschools participating in the program across the state, Oya said.

An ice cream social and celebration was held on June 24, and a certificate from the state was presented to the teachers and staff of Roots and Wings.

Douglas County operates the preschool through the recreation program part-time from 9 a.m. to noon five days a week.

The name of the preschool Roots and Wings was chosen for the inspiration saying, “There are two lasting things we can give to our children, one is roots and the other is wings.”