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Denton ISD's prekindergarten program fosters curiosity and excitement for learning through engaging, hands-on experiences designed to inspire a love for education. Each prekindergarten classroom is led by a certified teacher and supported by a trained paraprofessional, who collaborate to create a nurturing and enriching environment for our youngest learners.
Pre-K education is offered to children as young as three at Ann Windle School for Young Children and to children four years old at every other campus that offers Pre-K. Denton ISD's goal is for students to "Thrive by Five" when they enter kindergarten.
For more information about Pre-K at Denton ISD, please click on the icons below to explore.
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Eligibility
DISD serves eligible four-year-old students with full-day state-funded Pre-k classes. Students must be 4 years old on/before September 1 of the school year for Pre-K enrollment. Students who turn 3 years old and are Pre-K eligible may be enrolled at Ann Windle or Gonzalez School for Young Children. This is based on available space at each campus.
Classes are available at a limited number of campuses. Spots in full-day classes are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Students qualify for free state-funded Pre-K by one of the following criteria:
- Learning English as a second language
- Income (Income Eligibility Chart).
- Homeless
- Dependent of a member of the military on active duty, injured or killed while on active duty
- Currently or has ever been in the State of Texas foster care
- Dependent of an individual who received the Star of Texas Award
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Registration
Students may enroll in a Denton ISD prekindergarten program anytime during the school year. Please note: Most of the registration process is done electronically, and the parent or guardian must have an active email address to register.
If you need help with online registration, please email infosnaphelp@dentonisd.org.
If you have questions about the Pre-K program, please contact us at prek@dentonisd.org or call 940-369-0465.
Please note: Students who potentially qualify due to an inability to speak or comprehend English will require a language proficiency test. The oral language proficiency assessment will be conducted in person, by appointment only. The Denton ISD will contact each family individually to share specific guidelines on how and when testing will be conducted.
Before beginning Pre-K registration, please ensure you have the following documents:
- Student Identification (Birth Certificate)
- Social Security Card (requested)
- Proof of Income if the student is eligible for state-funded Pre-K
- Student's Immunization Record (must be up-to-date at the time of registration)
- Proof of Residency
- If you are living in a rental residence (rented house or apartment) - provide a rental agreement/lease or utility bill.
- If currently building in Denton ISD - provide a builder's contract showing the projected completion date and utility deposit.
- If living in another person's residence - both the parent/guardian of the student and the person who lives/owns the residence will need to sign a notarized Affidavit of Residency form. Please contact your home campus for this form.
- Parent Identification
- Valid Photo ID; Driver's license, Passport, Permanent Resident Card, or Naturalization Papers
- Custody information, if necessary
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Pre-K Locations
To view all campuses that offer pre-K, please visit this link: Pre-K Locations.
- Any state-eligible monolingual or bilingual student may attend Ann Windle or Gonzalez instead of their home/feeder campus.
- All Head Start students will attend Ann Windle.
- Ann Windle and Gonzalez will serve most 3-year-old students.
- All ECSE placements are determined by the IEP committee.
- 3 year old students returning to the program as a 4-year-old may stay enrolled at their current school for Pre-K.
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Tuition-Based Pre-K
The Denton ISD Pre-K Academy is an exemplary, tuition-based prekindergarten program for families in Denton ISD. A highly qualified certified teacher and paraprofessional teach all Pre-K Academy classes. Pre-K Academy classes are located at the following campuses :
- Adkins Elementary
- Blanton Elementary
- E. P. Rayzor Elementary
- Hawk Elementary
- Gonzalez School for Young Children
- Pecan Creek Elementary
- Providence Elementary
The 2024-2025 Pre-K Academy application window for new students will open on April 10, 2024. A 2024-2025 application, tuition agreement, and the non-refundable registration fee must be submitted to be selected for a 2024-2025 Pre-K Academy class. Once the application is submitted, an email will be sent to the guardian to pay the registration fee and complete the tuition agreement. Please give 7 to 10 school days to process all the information.
Families who apply will be notified of acceptance in the order in which all three prerequisite items are received. Spots in the program are limited and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Program Information
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Academy (Tuition-Based Pre-K)
DISD offers Pre-K Academy on a tuition basis for students who do not meet the state eligibility requirements to attend prekindergarten for free or the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program. Learn more about Pre-K Academy.
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Bilingual and ESL Pre-K
Bilingual and ESL Pre-Kindergarten is part of the state-funded, full-day Pre-Kindergarten program that works on improving children's English language proficiency and preparing them for success in school. Students may attend this program free of charge if they meet the following criteria:
- Are limited English speaking
- Are four years old with a birthday on or before September 1st (3-year-olds will be considered on a campus-by-campus basis).
Learn more about state-funded programs and the qualifications needed to participate in this program.
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ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education)
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) includes Deaf Ed., Communication, and Blended classes.
Early Childhood Special Education is a special education program that serves children between the ages of 3 and 5 who have delays in speech, physical development, cognitive development, and/or social and emotional development.
- Students are eligible to enroll in this program at no cost to the family on their 3rd birthday.
- ECSE Bilingual (Spanish) classrooms are provided when necessary; the amount and type of services provided to students are determined by an Individual Education Program (IEP) committee.
- Visit the Denton ISD Early Childhood Special Education website or contact Laura Davis, the ECSE Program Supervisor, at (940) 369-4090.
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Full-Day State-Funded Pre-K
Pre-Kindergarten is a state-funded program that follows the state of Texas Pre-K guidelines, which include language and literacy development, math skills, physical development, motor skills, social and emotional development, music, art, and other competencies to help prepare them for success in Kindergarten and beyond. This program serves children who are four years old on or before September 1st (3-year-olds will be considered at Gonzalez School for Young Children and Ann Windle).Students may attend this program free of charge if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Unable to speak and comprehend the English language
- Educationally disadvantaged (which means a student who is eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program). Learn more about the income eligibility guidelines.
- You are homeless
- Is a child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States
- Is a child of a member of the armed forces who was injured or killed while on active duty
- In or has been in a conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (foster care)
- Child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award
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Head Start
Head Start is a federally funded, full-day prekindergarten program that is overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program supports children's growth and development in a positive learning environment through a variety of services, which include early learning, health, and family well-being. Head Start and Bilingual Head Start classes are offered at Ann Windle School for Young Children. Please visit their website or call (940) 369-3900 for more information.
