Prekindergarten

 

• Bring the following items:
  • Proof of Income For every adult in the home (two recent pay stubs), or SNAP case details
    (includes child's name, parent/guardian's name, and expiration date- Must be current.)
  • Proof of Domicile (Street) Address   Homeowner - 2 current bills (water or electric);
    Renter - Lease and 1 current bill; Live with someone - Affidavit and two current bills for affiant.
  • Child's Birth Certificate Child's Birth Date between 10/01/2018 - 09/30/2019
  • Child's Social Security Card
  • Child's Current Immunization (Shot) Record

* SEE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Prekindergarten Application Process Frequently Asked Questions

(Click on the Question for the Answer)

1.  When and where does a parent/legal guardian APPLY for prekindergarten for next school year?

2.  Is there a deadline to apply?

3.  What does a parent need to apply?

4.  What is considered proof of domicile?

5.  What is considered proof of income?

6.  Can I request special permission for a child in prekindergarten?

7.  Will all students that apply be accepted into a class?

8.  What is the criterion for acceptance?  Is it first come, first serve?

9.  Does the program accept ‘provisional custody’ as proof of custody and/or proof of domicile?

10.  My child currently attends the Early Childhood Special Ed. Class at school and/or is receiving speech/OT/PT services at school. Do I have to apply?

11.  What are the income guidelines?

 

Answers

1.    When and where does a parent/legal guardian APPLY for prekindergarten for next school year?

 

2.  Is there a deadline to apply?

Enrollment will remain open for students within the income guidelines and pending openings.

 

3.    What does a parent need to apply?

• Proof of domicile (street) address (See Question/Answer # 4.)
• Child’s birth certificate (Must be 4 years old by September 30 of the current year.)
• Child’s Social Security Card
• Child's current immunization (shot) record
• Proof of Income/SNAP Case Benefits (See Question/Answer # 5.)

4.    What is considered proof of domicile?

• If you are the homeowner (2 of the following must be provided):
  • Current Gas Bill
  • Current Electric Bill
  • Current Water Bill
  • Homestead Exemption Notification
  • Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Current Louisiana Driver's License With Current Address
  • Homeowner's Original Bill of Sale
  • Purchase Agreement of Home

• If you are renting:
  • Rent or Lease Agreement/receipt (apt., trailer, or home). Must have owner's contact information for verification.
  • Current Gas, Water, or Electric Bill in Renter's name. 
  • If presenting a lease, all registrants must be listed on lease.
  •  
• If you are living with another person:
  • A notarized affidavit of domicile address
  • Current Gas, Water, or Electric Bill of Homeowner
  • If an apartment, all registrants must be listed on lease.

 Proof of domicile must show the current address and the parent/guardian’s name.

5.    What is considered proof of income?

• Two current consecutive check stubs for each parent, caregiver, affiant (the person you live with) in the household,  (if the affiant does not support you financially, in lieu of affiant's proof of income, you must complete FORM B, OR
• SNAP/Food Stamp CASE Benefits (must include child's name, parent/guardian's name, and expiration date.  Must be current. OR
• If you are not a full-time employee, have your employer complete FORM C, OR
• Unemployment Benefits, OR
• Monetary Determination letter from the Workforce Commission, OR
• Statement from the Social Security Administration verifying that the child listed on the application is a recipient of SSI benefits,  which must be accompanied by two current check stubs, OR
• Current foster care placement agreement from DCFS, OR
• Parent(s) who are unemployed must submit FORM A and income documentation from support source, OR
• If self-employed, or paid in cash, complete FORM D.

6.    Can I request special permission for a child in prekindergarten?
Children who fall within the income guidelines within each school area will be given priority for placement.  Special permission can be requested; however, special permission is not guaranteed to be granted.

7.    Will all students that apply be accepted into a class?
According to funding guidelines, each class can have a maximum of 20 students.  All applications will be reviewed by district staff for income eligibility, and parents will be notified upon acceptance.  Students whose families do not fall within the income guidelines are encouraged to apply; however placement is not guaranteed for school location.

8.    What is the criterion for acceptance?  Is it first come, first serve?
Acceptance into a prekindergarten class will not be on a first come, first serve basis.  First consideration goes to those who qualify according to the Income Guidelines.  Academic risk will determine priority placement for those whose families do not fall within the income guidelines.

9.    Does the program accept ‘provisional custody’ as proof of custody and/or proof of domicile?
Yes, the program does recognize provisional custody for the acceptance process if the provisional custody paperwork has been filed with the Clerk of Courts Office and in accordance with the TPSD guidelines.

10.    My child CURRENTLY attends the Early Childhood Special Ed. Class at school and/or is receiving speech/OT/PT services at school. Do I have to apply?
YES. In order to be considered for prekindergarten next year, an application MUST be completed.

11.  What are the income guidelines?

The Louisiana Department of State Education sets the income guidelines used to determine eligibility for funding purposes.  These guidelines are updated and posted after February 1 of each year.  Proof of income is required for all applications and should be provided for all adults in the child's home.  Families who are not within the income guidelines are encouraged to apply; however, placement is not guaranteed.