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Voluntary PreK

Voluntary PreK Overview

Eligibility

  • Students must be 4 years old on or before August 15, 2025, to be enrolled in Pre-K for the 2025-2026 school year. Families will be asked to provide documentation to determine if they meet the income requirements set by the state. Pre-K classes will be ­filled using the guidelines set forth by the State of Tennessee for Voluntary Pre-K:
    • The Grantee shall enroll children residing in the geographic area served by the Grantee who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year and who are at risk. For purposes of this program, at-risk shall be defined as follows:
      • a) Children who qualify as economically disadvantaged per the Income Eligibility application and income guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, regardless of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) status; or
      • b) Are dependent children, as defined by T.C.A. § 49-6-101(f)(1)(A) whose parent was killed, died as a direct result of injuries received as a result of war, or is or has been officially reported as a prisoner of war or missing in action.
  • Subject to availability of space and resources after exhausting all efforts to enroll at risk four (4) year-olds (as defined by A.1. Student Eligibility), the Grantee may enroll additional students who don’t meet the income eligibility requirements but are residing in the geographic area served by the Grantee in accordance with the following priorities and in accordance with guidelines set by the TDOE:
    • a) Children who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year with disabilities, students identified as English Learners (EL), in state custody, or who are screened and identified as educationally at-risk, determined pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et sec.;
    • b) Children who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year who have been in the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) or Even Start program;
  • Enrollment in the VPK program shall be voluntary.
  • US Dept of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines 

Availability and Class Structure  

  • 200 VPK seats total
    • VPK class (one certified teacher and one full-time educational assistant)
    • Integrated PreK class (one certified teacher and two full-time educational assistants)

Schedule

  • WCS 2025-2026 Preschool Calendar (Available Summer 2025)
  • 5 days per week, following WCS PreK schedule
  • Student day is 6 hours, from 7:45-1:45 M-F.

Transportation

Parents are responsible for providing transportation.

Licensing

  • The WCS PreK program is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Education.
  • Must meet all Wilson County and state Voluntary PreK requirements.

Application Process

  • Applications must be submitted online through Skyward.
  • Specified income documentation MUST be submitted for ALL adults in the household.
  • Registration does NOT guarantee placement in the program.
    • Students who do not meet income requirements will be placed on a waiting list. 
  • All applicants will need to be screened prior to enrollment to determine the best placement in the program.

Acceptance

If you qualify for the WCS VPK program, you will receive an email from the PreK Lead.  If you qualify and are on the waiting list, your email will state that you are on the waiting list. 

Waiting List

  • Eligible applicants after the 200 seats are filled.
  • Any applicant who does not meet the eligibility requirements (4 years old and meet poverty guidelines)
  • Limited placements will be available after September 15 for non-eligible applicants if all eligible applicants have been placed and seats are available.
  • If a spot becomes available, we will contact you throughout the year.

Participating Schools with VPK Programs

(* denotes school with Integrated Peer PreK and SPED PreK classrooms)

Carroll Oakland
Elzie Patton Elementary
LaGuardo Elementary
Mt Juliet Elementary*
Rutland Elementary
Southside*
Springdale Elementary*
Stoner Creek Elementary*
W A Wright Elementary*
Watertown Elementary

For more information, visit the Voluntary PreK FAQ.

Contact:

Brooke Carr
615-444-3282

Jessica Humbles
615-453-7801 
 

PreK Program Application

Applications for the 2025-2026 school opens February 24, 2005.

Apply for PreK