Early Childhood Programs
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Is my child eligible for Pre-K in the fall?
In order to be eligible for Pre-K enrollment your child must be 4 on or before September 1, 2023 and must meet one of the state’s eligibility requirements.
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My child will be 4 on September 6, 2023. Can I still register him to attend Pre-K?
No, in order to qualify, your child must be 4 on or before September 1 of the current school year.
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How do I apply for the Tuition-Free Program if my child doesn’t meet the eligibility requirements?
Simply fill out the registration application and upload all required documentation. We are setting aside some seats at nearly every elementary campus to accommodate tuition-free students if space allows.
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What is the deadline to apply for a Tuition-Free seat?
The deadline to apply for the free pre-K program is July 17. Families will learn whether there is space for their students the following week.
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How will the district determine who receives a Tuition-Free seat?
In deciding how to award seats, we will evaluate each application on the following criteria:
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- Zoned students with siblings already at the school - 4 points
- Zoned students - 3 points
- Students of teachers/staff living in the district - 2 points
- Students of teachers/staff not living in the district - 1 point
Should there be more applicants than seats, the district will hold a lottery by campus. The district will continue to award seats as they become available through the start of the school year.
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If my child receives a Tuition-Free seat, will transportation be provided?
Yes, if your student is going to their zoned campus. However, if your child is attending a school that is not their zoned campus, then parents/guardians will need to provide transportation.
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When is the first day of school for the 2023-24 school year?
The first day of school is Thursday, August 10, 2023 for all schools.
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What programs are offered for pre-K this school year?
Spring ISD offers dual language for Pre-K students at the School for International Studies at Bammel, which is located in a separate area within Bammel Middle School at 16711 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77090. This school is open to any eligible Pre-K students regardless of where they live in the district. The focus on global citizenship and cultures will allow students the opportunity to focus on globally significant issues in accessible ways.
Students wishing to attend the Pre-K dual language program should register through the online process. Transportation will be provided.
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What are the state’s Pre-K eligibility requirements?
Your child must meet at least one of the following:
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- The child is unable to speak and comprehend the English language; or
- The child is educationally disadvantaged (which means a student eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program; or
- The child is homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 1143a, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child; or
- The child is a child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority; or
- The child is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty; or
- The child is or ever has been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (foster care) following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or
- The child is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as: a peace officer under Section 3106.002 Government Code; a firefighter under Section 3106.003, Government Code; or an emergency medical first responder under Section 3106.004, Government Code.
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Does Spring ISD offer pre-K to students who don’t meet state eligibility requirements?
Yes! Starting the 2021-22 school year, Spring ISD expanded the program to include a tuition-free option for students who wouldn’t normally be eligible because they don’t meet the usual income, language or other requirements. The only eligibility requirement is that a student must be 4 years old on or before September 1. This expansion ensures more young learners get the great start that a quality pre-K education provides without their families having to pay any tuition or fees.
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My child is not potty trained, can he still attend Pre-K?
The student must not be excluded from eligibility. Eligible students are not required to be potty trained; however, the school and the parent must establish written guidelines for managing these situations.
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How can I prove my child’s age and identification?
The following documents are considered acceptable.
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- Original Birth certificate
- Statement of the child’s date of birth issued by the division of the Texas Department of State Health Services responsible for vital statistics for school admission purposes
- Passport
- School ID card, records, Report card
- Military ID
- Hospital Birth record
- Adoption records
- Church Baptismal record
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What documents show proof of residency?
- Lease agreement
- Mortgage statement
- Current gas, light, or water bill
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What documentation is needed to determine if my child is eligible for Pre-K based on income?
- A current paycheck stub
- Letter from employer stating gross wages paid and how often they are paid
- Unemployment, worker’s compensation or Disability payment stub
- Last year’s tax return
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What are the steps in registering my son/daughter?
- The first step is to go online and complete the online registration process
- Second step is to submit the required documents
- To finalize registration, schools will work with each family to ensure all eligibility requirements are met
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Is Pre-K required for all students?
No, prekindergarten is not mandatory. However, upon enrollment in prekindergarten, a child must attend school. All students are subject to compulsory school attendance rules while they are enrolled in school.
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What is the income level for a household to qualify as educationally disadvantaged?
The income level is based on the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) income eligibility guidelines established annually by the US Dept of Agriculture.
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Can I use my SNAP or TANF documents for prekindergarten eligibility?
Yes, a household may submit a complete application that contains the name of the child, a current SNAP or TANF group number and an adult signature. Lone Star Card account numbers are not acceptable SNAP case numbers on the application.
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What types of prekindergarten programs does Spring ISD offer?
Upon registration, parents fill out a Home Language Survey to help determine the best placement for the child. The programs that are offered are English, English as a Second Language, Bilingual, and the Dual Language program at the School for International Studies at Bammel.
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Does Spring ISD offer a prekindergarten program for 3-year-olds?
No, Spring ISD only offers prekindergarten for students who are 4 years of age on or before September of the current school year. However, Spring does offer an Early Childhood Special Education Program (ECSE). ECSE is a program for children ages 3-5 who have been identified with a developmental disability in one or more areas.
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What if the prekindergarten program that my child is zoned to is full?
If your zoned school is full, parents may apply for a transfer to any Spring ISD campus on a space-available transfer. In the case of an approved transfer, transportation will not be provided.
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Can I pick the school that I want my child to go to?
Specific addresses have schools to which they are zoned. For more information, go to the Spring ISD website, and under the Attendance Zones, there is an “Infofinder” link that will tell you exactly what school your home address is zoned to and if there is a bus route assigned.
The Pre-K dual language program at the School for International Studies at Bammel is open to any eligible students within Spring ISD. Parents may select to enroll their child in this program during the online registration process. Transportation will be provided to this campus.
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Will my child be attending a full day or half day school?
Spring ISD offers only full-day Pre-K programs.
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I don’t live within the Spring ISD attendance zone, can I still enroll my child in Spring ISD?
Out-of-district students may enroll in Spring ISD Pre-K programs as determined by available space. In the case of an approved out-of-district transfer, transportation will not be provided.
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Do I have to take my child to school, or will there be bus transportation to and from the school?
Students in Pre-K must be registered for bus service before they can begin riding the bus home from school. Once the student has been approved and routed for the bus, the parent/guardian will be notified and services may begin.