Registration Requirements

Children entering the Pre-K programs shall be four years of age on or before August 15th of the current school year.  If a child has turned 5 on or before August 15th of the current year, they are eligible for kindergarten.  According to our funding requirements, they may not attend Pre-K if they have already turned 5.  

The purpose of the program is to provide students residing in Knox County with a positive, developmentally appropriate, hands-on learning experience.

Voluntary Pre-K Information:

First priority will be given to those children who meet an income eligibility guideline.

• An application process is used to determine those students most in need of the Pre-K program.
• Families will be notified at least two weeks prior to the start of the program.  The families who are placed on a waiting list will be notified by mail.  
• Students will enter on a staggered schedule designed by the classroom teacher (attending two days during the first 10 days of school).
• Students must maintain a 95% attendance rate (see Attendance Policy).

Other:

If space is available, others may be enrolled who meet the following criteria:

• Receive special education services.
• Are non-English speakers.
• Are in state custody.
• Have a history of abuse/neglect.

Following enrollment of the above students, others applications will be accepted as space permits.  These spaces will be filled after the 25th day of the school year.

Eligibility for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten

Children must be four years of age on or before August 15th of the current year. Students will be chosen based on a weighted application. The focus is to enroll students in the underserved population, which includes children identified as ‘at-risk’. At-risk factors include family income, family structure, and special family situations. (These areas are determined to meet the State Department of Education guidelines.)

Typical at-risk factors include custody other than parent, single parent, foster care, homeless, below free and reduced lunch, above Head Start guidelines, no previous group experience, subsidized housing, special education services, limited English (ELL), divorce, deaths, criminal history, health problems, mental illness, teen parent, and family member incarcerated among other considerations. Each factor contributing to the at-risk nature of the student is considered.

2023 Income Eligibilty Guidelines

*Annual income levels reflect 185% of the 2023 US Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines (https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines), equivalent to reduced priced lunch criteria.

This chart is to be used when reviewing the Pre-K Income Eligibility application to determine if family meets income qualifications for “economically disadvantaged”. Families making at or below the annual income amount, based on household size, meet the income eligibility criteria for participation in the Voluntary Pre-k program for the 2023-2024 school year. Verification must include total income of all household family members as indicated on Pre-K Income Eligibility Application.

THIS CHART MAY NOT BE USED FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR FREE or REDUCED PRICED LUNCH PROGRAM.

Meeting Income eligibility requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the VPK program due to limited space and the possibility of more students applying than seats available.

Pre K Round-Up Dates and Times