Pre-K3

Now Accepting Applications

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2023-24 School Year Enrollment

Your child's journey to Pre-K starts here. Still accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year.

Steps to Apply: English | Spanish

2024-25 School Year Enrollment

Register and Apply for Pre-K for the Fall 2024!

Your child's journey to Pre-K starts here. Now accepting applications for the Fall 2024-25 school year. Learn more about our new student enrollment process. To learn about the Pre-K application process, please see general information and frequently asked questions.

When can families apply for Pre-K?

Priority Registration:

Starts November 8, 2023 through February 6, 2024
April 1, 2024 families can begin to upload eligibility documents

It is highly recommended that families register for Pre-K during Priority Registration to express interest in the 24-25 school year until eligibility documents are reviewed in April.

General Registration:

Starts April 2–August 5
Pre-K registration/applications are accepted year round

Learn more about how to qualify for free Pre-K

Please call 512-414-SEAT (7328) for questions regarding registration.

For questions about Pre-K eligibility, please submit a Let’s Talk.

Austin ISD Pre-K3

Austin ISD Pre-K3 is available for free for children who are eligible. We also offer tuition-based Pre-K for students who don't meet the qualifications for district-supported Pre-K3. Not all AISD schools offer Pre-K3, and not all offer tuition-based Pre-K3. View Pre-K3 Program Options >

pre-k3 ELIGIBILITY Criteria

Must be 3 years of age on or by September 1st of the year seeking to enroll.

is limited in the ability to speak and/or comprehend the English language, or
is eligible for free or reduced lunch based on the family’s income; or
is homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 1143a ; or
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; or
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
is or has been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code.
is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as:
- 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.
- A child eligible for enrollment under item 4 or 5 above remains eligible if the child’s parent leaves the armed forces or is no longer on active duty after the child begins prekindergarten.

Pre-K3 Curriculum at AISD

Austin ISD follows the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines and uses Teaching Strategies research-based Creative Curriculum for all our Pre-K students.

Creative Curriculum helps Pre-K students achieve positive outcomes through learning experiences that are engaging and relevant to their lives. It features exploration and discovery as a way of learning, and supports the district objective to teach the whole child with a focus on social and emotional learning.

Pre-K3 students receive instruction that is:

Innovative: delivering cutting-edge resources that are unique, effective, and based on the latest research.
Responsive: including solutions that address educators’ challenges and help create a responsive learning environment.
Supportive: providing robust guidance to support each educator’s professional journey.
Comprehensive: aligning to all state early learning guidelines and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
Developmentally Appropriate: promoting learning experiences designed for each age-group and flexibly tailored to each child’s needs with high-quality, research-based resources.

Sample Pre-k3 Schedule

Schedules vary from campus to campus, so please be sure to check with your child's school for specifics.

Morning

7:30–8 a.m., Arrival
Breakfast in the classroom, welcome ritual and arrival procedures. Children sign-in and participate in table activities.
8–8:15 a.m., Circle Time #1
Read aloud, shared writing, math, science, and other content-based activities.
8:15–9:30 a.m., Learning Centers and Small Groups
Children work in free-choice centers. Teacher works with small groups throughout the morning.
9:30-9:45 a.m., Circle Time #2
Read aloud, shared writing, math, science, and other content-based activities.
9:45–10:15 a.m., Outside Play
Children participate in unstructured and free-choice outdoor play. Sand, water, musical instruments, and other materials/activities are provided.
10:15–10:30 a.m., Story Time
Children participate in active story time, including songs, chants and dance. Children prepare for lunch and dismissal.
10:30–11 a.m., Lunch
The teaching assistant and the Pre-K lunch monitor sit with children to assist with the meal and model appropriate behavior.
11-11:12 a.m. End of the Day Review & Dismissal

Afternoon

11:21–11:51 a.m. Lunch (PM Group)
Lunch in the classroom, welcome ritual and arrival procedures. Children sign-in and participate in table activities.
11:51 a.m.–12:06 p.m. Morning Meeting
Welcome & Song/Music. Read aloud, shared writing, math, science, and other content-based activities.
12:06–1:36 p.m. Center Time & Small Group
Children work in free-choice centers. Teacher works with small groups throughout the morning.
1:36–2:21 p.m. Outside Play & Water/Restroom
Children participate in unstructured and free-choice outdoor play. Sand,water, musical instruments, and other materials/activities are provided.
2:21–2:41 p.m. Independent Reading Time & Story Time
Children participate in active story time, including songs, chants and dance.
2:41–2:57 p.m. Say Goodbye, Prepare for Dismissal.