Office of Access and Enrollment Services -SAISD

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

The District’s acclaimed Early Childhood Education Program is comprised of the federally funded Head Start program and the state and district funded Pre-K program, both programs are full-day and serve 3 and 4 year olds.

If you have a child who will be 3 or 4 years old as of Sept. 1, we encourage you to apply for SAISD's early childhood education program, which includes the pre-kindergarten and Head Start programs. Families must meet established income guidelines or meet other eligibility criteria to qualify for admission to either of the two programs. If your child does not quality for one program, he or she may qualify for the other. Tuition-based Pre-K programs exist for families that do not qualify for free Pre-K. Registration for these programs continues throughout the year.

BENEFITS

Full-day program focused on each child’s academic, physical and social development
Highly qualified teachers who hold bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees, as well as a state certified and highly qualified assistant who is specifically trained to work with young children, can be found in every classroom
Child-centered, hands-on learning
Breakfast, lunch and snacks provided at no cost
Bilingual instruction available
Programs for children with disabilities

HEAD START INFORMATION

Head Start is a federally-funded program operated by the City of San Antonio in collaboration with SAISD as a part of the district’s Early Childhood Education Program.

Ages served: 3 & 4 year olds

Click here for the Head Start Timeline

PRE-K INFORMATION

SAISD offers two types of Pre-K programs: a state-funded program operated by SAISD that is free of cost to families who qualify, as well as a tuition-based Pre-K program available to families who do not qualify.

Ages served: 3 & 4 year olds (priority is given to 4 year olds)

Click here for the Pre-K Timeline

HEAD START LOCATIONS

HEAD START CENTERS
Carroll
Carvajal
Knox
Nelson
Tynan

HEAD START PROGRAMS
Arnold
Bowden
JT Brackenridge
De Zavala
Graebner *
Hirsch
Huppertz
King *
Madison
Maverick
Neal
Schenck

*new for 2019-20

PRE-K LOCATIONS

Pre-K is offered at every elementary school or academy campus, except: Bonham, Foster, Green, Hawthorne, M.L.King, and Woodlawn Academies.

Students interested in participating in Pre-K from any of these schools may pursue the following alternatives:

Bonham - Briscoe (alternate site)

Green - Briscoe (alternate site)

Hawthorne - Lamar (alternate site)

M.L.King - Gates or Miller (alternate site)

Woodlawn - Fenwick (alternate site)

HEAD START QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for Head Start, a child must meet at least ONE of the following requirements:.

The family meets Head Start income guidelines.
The child is homeless.
The child is or has been in foster care in the state of Texas.

If your child does not meet any of the above criteria, then you do not qualify for Head Start.

Head Start Income Guidelines

HEAD START DOCUMENTS
Please be prepared to provide the following documentation when
you come in to apply:

Proof of child's age
Social security card for child
Immunizations
Current physical
Insurance card
Previous year's tax return or proof of income for the previous 12 months
Current proof of residence
Photo ID for Parent

Bring the following documentation with you also, if applicable:

Foster care
Disability
CPS (Child Protective Services)

PRE-K QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for free Pre-K a child must be 3 or 4 years old on or before September 1.

Priority enrollment will be given to students meeting at least ONE of the following state requirements:

The child is eligible to take part in the national free or reduced-price school lunch program.
The child is unable to speak and comprehend the English language.
The child is homeless.
The child receives SNAP, TANF, and/or Medicaid benefits.
The child is a dependent of an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces.
The child is or has been in foster care in the state of Texas.
Be the child of a person who is eligible for the Star of Texas Award.

If your child does not meet any of the above criteria, the student may be enrolled pending space availability. Students wil not be required to pay tuition upon enrollment.

Eligibility for Prekindergarten

PRE-K PRIORITY ENROLLMENT TIMELINE

Neighborhood Campuses

Starting April 1: In-district 4 year olds who meet a state requirement

Starting Aug. 19: All 4 year olds

Starting Aug. 26: In-district 3 year olds who meet a state requirement

Starting Sept. 3: All 3 year olds

Gonzales Early Childhood

Starting April 1: Any 3 and 4 years olds who qualify for ADA funding (in district¹ or out of district²)

Starting Aug. 19: Any 3 and 4 year olds not eligible for ADA funding (in district¹ or out of district²)

¹ In district includes SAISD employees' children

² Out of district via Transfer Process

Choice Schools

Starting April 1: All students accepted through the lottery (in district and out of district)