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Region 15 Education Service Center

Pre-K Eligibility

HQPK Information

Pre-K Eligibility:

To be eligible for enrollment in a free Pre-K class, a child must be at least 4 years of age on or before September 1st of the current school year, OR at least 3 years of age on or before September 1st if a PK3 or mixed PK3/PK4 class is offered.  In addition to this age requirement, a child must meet one of the following eligibility requirements: 

  • unable to speak and comprehend the English language
  • is educationally disadvantaged (eligible to participate in the national school lunch program... guidelines about NSLP eligibility can be found in sections 4 and 6 of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Administrators Reference Manual)
  • is homeless, as defined by 42 USC, §11434a, 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
  • is the 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
  • 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
  • is or has ever been in the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (foster care) following an adversary hearing held as provided by Family Code §262.201 or has been in foster care in another state or territory, but currently lives in Texas
  • is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as:

Eligibility applies to three-year-olds when a three-year-old program is available.

Statute: TEC §29.153 (b) 

Documentation:
A district must verify a student’s eligibility for Pre-K in order to receive funding for the Pre-K program. Districts must have the verification document as well as any required documentation on file for their records.

Wait Lists:
By law, a school district must offer prekindergarten classes if it identifies 15 or more children who are eligible and are four years of age by September 1 of the current school year.  No 4-year-old students may be placed on a wait list.
If a district offers a program for eligible three-year-old students, a waiting list or lottery for three-year-olds only may be established under district policy. TEC §29.153(a)