Beginning April 10, Prekindergarten enrollment opens for Pre-K3, Pre-K4, and Kindergarten for eligible 3- and 4-year-old for the 2021-22 school year.

Pre-K is the start of a bright future! 90% of brain development occurs in the first five years of life. Studies show that children who attend PreK are more likely to succeed in school, more likely to graduate, more likely to go to college, and are five times more likely to be ready for Kindergarten.

Prekindergarten is an early learning program designed to meet the needs of our youngest learners. Children must be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2021, and meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria: 

• Family meets income guidelines associated with the free/reduced meal program or receives any of the following benefits: 
  • Medicaid
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 
• Limited English Proficient – The child is unable to speak and comprehend the English language. Eligibility is based on the results of language testing. 
• Military Parent – Child of an active duty member of the armed forces or is the child of a member of the armed services who were injured or killed while serving on active duty
• Homeless - As defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
• Foster Care - Child is in, or has been in, conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services
• Star of Texas Eligible Parent – Child of a peace office, firefighter, or an emergency first responder who has received the Star of Texas Award

Families can go to the Austin ISD website and complete an eligibility screener, or
they can call the early childhood department at 512-414-4790.