Long Branch Preschool – Teachers at Joseph M Ferraina Early Childhood Learning Center in Long Branch have proof that preschool makes all the difference in the success of their students. About 75 percent of the students are non-English speaking, but after just a few months the children are fluent. The teachers keep the students for two years so they can see first-hand the growth and progress of their students. They have a mentoring program where the 4 and 5 year olds “guide” the younger ones. The school uses the Tools of the Mind program to expose children to life play, helping them learn to concentrate and develop language skills.