Washington Early Childhood Center was originally Booker T. Washington Elementary, a seven-room building that opened for grades 1–7 January 26, 1959. Students from four county schools and a fifth-grade class at Moore Elementary were transferred to BTW.
In 1959-60 it opened for grades 1-3 only. Two years later a Woodlawn school sent its seven grades and two teachers.
During the late 60s and 70s, Booker T. Washington was a kindergarten and special education center. From 1978 to 1989 it housed the Alternative School, two special programs, food service and health services.
In 1989, four rooms were added as the school became Washington ECC, housing kindergarten students from three elementary zones and all PK students. A new multi-purpose room was ready in January 1992. In 1999 WECC became the main Head Start campus, serving only students in that program and PK. In 2002 eight classrooms and a library were added as WECC began housing all MISD Head Start students.
