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PRE-K AND EARLY LEARNING

  • PRE K & Early Learning
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La Porte ISD is excited to offer full-day Pre-K for eligible 4-year-olds!

The purpose of the LPISD Pre-K program is to teach, grow and nurture each student in a positive and developmentally appropriate manner through a play-based curriculum so that each student can be successful.

See if your child qualifies for Pre-K by clicking on the Eligibility Requirements tab below. If you need assistance or would like a paper registration packet, please call the Academics Team at 281.604.7030 or call your elementary campus. 

Pre-K Eligibility & Required Documents

    • Must be 4 years old on or before September 1st for the enrolling school year
    • Must reside within the boundaries of La Porte ISD
    • Must submit an Online application

     

    AND be one or more of the following:

     

    • unable to speak and comprehend the English language; or
    • eligible to participate in the national free / reduced school meal program based on family income, receipient of benefits from SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, considered a migrant child, considered a runaway child, or a child who is an eligible participant in Head Start or Early Head Start; or
    • homeless, as defined by 42 USC, §11434a, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child; or
    • 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
    • >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 service on active duty; or
    • is or has ever been in the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (foster care) following an adversary hearing held as provided by Family Code § 262.201, or has been in foster care in another state or territory, but currently lives in Texas; or
    • the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award under Texas Government Code §3106.002, Texas Government Code §3106.003, or Texas Government Code §3106.004
    • a child of a classroom teacher at a La Porte ISD School. 

  • What to Bring Flyer: English   |   What to Bring Flyer: Spanish

    Income Qualifiers

    One of the following:

    • Current Paycheck Stub (previous 2 paychecks)
    • Current tax return if self-employed
    • Current TANF or SNAP eligibility letter or card or letter showing child’s name, eligibility dates within six months of applying for Pre-K, and the child’s EDG number

    Language Qualifiers

    • Fill out Home Language Survey (provided by school)
    • A language test will be administered to the child by the school to determine eligibility.

    Military Qualifiers

    One of the following

    • Verification of U.S. Department of Defense photo I.D.
    • Statement of service
    • Copy of death certificate
    • Copy of Purple Heart orders
    • Copy of offical letter from commander
    • Copy of a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicating service related injury or benefits due to active service injury
    • Documentation that service member is MIA

    Foster Care Qualifiers

    • Verification Letter of Prekindergarten Eligibility from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
    • Foster care documents stating closure of a case
    • Court documents stating “state foster care” involvement
    • Adoption paperwork completed by the originating state

    Star of Texas Award Qualifiers

    • Copy of the resolution (certificate) awarded to parent of child

    Homeless Qualifiers

    • Fill out Student Residency Questionnaire (provided by school); District homeless education liaison will verify.

  • Pre-K registration for 2025-2026 is now open!

    1. To enroll in Pre-K please complete the online application. The district Academics Department will contact you to confirm your child’s qualification for free Pre-K and identify your campus for enrollment.
    2. If you need assistance completing the online application or need a paper application, please contact our Academics Department at 281-604-7030 or visit your neighborhood elementary school.
    3. Children qualifying for Pre-K 4 as an English learner will be contacted to schedule the English language proficiency exam after you have completed the online application.

  • For more information about Pre-K in LPIST, contact: 

    Joe Chandler

    Executive Director, School Leadership

    Maria Panalez

    Secretary

    281.604.7030

Frequently Asked Questions

  • To be eligible for enrollment in a pre-kindergarten class, a child must be 4 years of age for Pre-K 4 on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year, be a zone resident of La Porte ISD AND be one or more of the following:

    1. unable to speak and comprehend the English language; or
    2. eligible to participate in the national free / reduced meal program based on family income; or
    3. homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 1143a, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child; or
    4. 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
    5. 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
    6. has ever been in the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or has been in foster care in another state or territory, but currently lives in Texas; or
    7. the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award under Section 3106.002, Section 3106.003, or Section 3106.004, Government Code.
    8. an assigned Teacher of Record at a La Porte ISD School 

  • No. Only qualifying children may attend Pre-K in La Porte ISD at this time.

  • No.  La Porte ISD only offers Pre-K for eligible children who are 4 by September 1.

  • If your child qualifies for Pre-K regardless of if you have developmental concerns, your child may attend Pre-K (see the Eligibility section above). If your child does not qualify for Pre-K and you have a developmental concern about your child, please contact, Child Find, at 281-604-7029.

  • We offer Pre-K 4 at 3 elementary schools for 2025–26:

    • Bayshore Elementary
    • College Park Elementary
    • LaPorte Elementary.

  • Pre-K 4 is full-day and follows the elementary school day, 7:40 a.m.–3:15 p.m.

  • The state of Texas only funds Pre-K for qualifying students in all school districts in Texas. School districts can determine whether they are able to provide Pre-K for non-qualifying students.

  • Transportation is provided for students who qualify for the Pre-K 4 program and who live outside of the 2-mile radius of the campus.

  • Yes, children in Pre-K 4 have both breakfast and lunch built into their daily schedule. Parents may choose to let their kids eat the free meals available at school or send a meal with their child.

  • The recommendation is that children entering Pre-K be potty-trained, but it is not required.  If a Pre-K child is not yet toileting independently, the campus will work with each family on an individual basis to help them become successfully independent at school. 

    Toilet Training Tips (English)

    Toilet Training Tips (Spanish)

Curriculum & Activities

Big Ideas in Pre-kindergarten

  • Clarity in written and spoken language, along with critical listening, demonstrates effective communication.
  • Reading a wide variety of genres expands understanding of the world, its people, and oneself.
  • Numerical Fluency is the wise and appropriate use of numbers and operations with flexibility, accuracy, and efficiency.
  • Communicate using the language of mathematics and mathematical tools to organize their understanding of concepts.
  • People develop, learn, and adapt cultures to create who we are and shape our communities.
  • Science is a way of knowing and learning about the natural world.
  1. Read to and talk with your child each day.
  2. Have your child practice writing his/her name, using a capital letter only for the first letter.
  3. Have your child count objects around the house.
  4. Help your child identify and name the colors.
  5. Have your child look for and name letters and numbers everywhere.
  6. Have your child color, cut, and glue.
  7. Have your child play board and card games.
  8. Have your child participate in physical activities outdoors and in imaginative play, like dress up, kitchen, or building with blocks.
  9. Help your child develop good toileting skills.
  10. Hug your child each day.

  • Big Ideas in Pre-kindergarten

    • Clarity in written and spoken language, along with critical listening, demonstrates effective communication.
    • Reading a wide variety of genres expands understanding of the world, its people, and oneself.
    • Numerical Fluency is the wise and appropriate use of numbers and operations with flexibility, accuracy, and efficiency.
    • Communicate using the language of mathematics and mathematical tools to organize their understanding of concepts.
    • People develop, learn, and adapt cultures to create who we are and shape our communities.
    • Science is a way of knowing and learning about the natural world.

    1. Read to and talk with your child each day.
    2. Have your child practice writing his/her name, using a capital letter only for the first letter.
    3. Have your child count objects around the house.
    4. Help your child identify and name the colors.
    5. Have your child look for and name letters and numbers everywhere.
    6. Have your child color, cut, and glue.
    7. Have your child play board and card games.
    8. Have your child participate in physical activities outdoors and in imaginative play, like dress up, kitchen, or building with blocks.
    9. Help your child develop good toileting skills.
    10. Hug your child each day.