Qualification-Based Pre-K Eligibility


  • Prospective students are defined as qualifying or non-qualifying.

    If your child meets one of the Texas Pre-K qualifiers, you are eligible to register for free, full-day, high-quality Pre-K at your neighborhood school or the Pre-K Academy at West Avenue. 

    If your child does not meet one of the Texas Pre-K qualifiers, they are a non-qualifying student. Families have the option of full-day high-quality Pre-K on a tuition basis at Pre-K campuses district wide or Pre-K Academy at West Avenue. 

  • Qualifying Student Requirements

    1. Child must be at least three or four years of age on or before September 1 of the current school year (Pre-K 3-year-old program is only available at Pre-K Academy at West Avenue) and
    2. Child must be a resident of NEISD; and
    3. Child must be current with the required immunizations; and
    4. Child must meet at least one of the state eligibility requirements listed below:
      • Child is unable to speak and comprehend the English Language (child will be evaluated at time of registration); or
      • Child is homeless (eligibility to be determined by McKinney Vento staff); or
      • Child is educationally disadvantaged as determined by one of the following:
        • Proof of income (paycheck stub with gross income dated after April 1, 2025 or dated within 60 days of enrollment for regular registration in August; or
        • Receiving SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid or TANF(Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) provide an eligibility letter with effective dates and your child's EDG#; or
        • Employer Income Verification (EIV) form dated April 1, 2025 or within 60 days of enrollment for regular registration in August. The form can be obtained from your child's home campus; or
      • Child has a parent serving on active duty in the armed forces, including a child of a member injured or killed on active duty as determined by one of the following:
        • Department of Defense photo ID; or
        • Letter from the military showing Statement of Service, Purple Heart citation, MIA, Line of Duty Determination, Certificate of Death; or
        • VA benefits letter stating injury occurred while serving on active duty; or
      • Child is or has ever been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) following an adversary hearing as determined by the following:
        • Form 2085-Foster Care; or
        • Court Adoption papers as a result of DFPS custody; or
        • Proof of DFPS conservatorship (including children returned to parents after hearing)
      • Child has a parent who is eligible for the Star of Texas Award:
        • a peace officer under Section 3106.002
        • a firefighter under Section 31006.003
        • an emergency medical first responder under Section 31006.004

    Parents/Legal Guardians will be required to provide documentation to verify eligibility at registration.