Frequently Asked Questions

East Central ISD, Edgewood ISD, Harlandale ISD, North East ISD, Northside ISD, San Antonio ISD, South San Antonio ISD, and Southwest ISD are participating districts. If you reside in one of these school districts, you could be eligible to attend any Pre-K 4 SA education center for free. Families living in non-participating school districts are not eligible to attend Pre-K 4 SA for free.

All children from non-participating school districts must pay tuition to participate in the program (even if they meet the eligibility requirements for free Pre-K).

Children can qualify for free Pre-K 4 SA if they meet family income requirements, are an English language learner, are the child of a military member, are homeless, are currently or previously in foster care, or have a Star of Texas Award. For specific qualifications, see our eligibility guidelines. For children who do not meet the Texas Education Agency eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for free or reduced tuition through our Investing in Education Scholarship program.

Yes. If you live within the city limits of San Antonio or Extra Territorial Jurisdiction, you can attend Pre-K 4 SA as part of the expanded access initiative. Free or reduced tuition is available through our Investing in Education Scholarship program for children who do not meet the Texas Education Agency eligibility requirements.

No. Applicants only need to complete the online application. You will need eligibility documentation for the registration appointment.

Applications are accepted beginning February 1 annually. You can start your contactless application here or over the phone at 210-206-PREK (7735).

On the application, parents can select their first and second choice education centers. Parents also have the option to indicate “no second choice” if they are only interested in one Center. Families wishing to be considered for more than two schools can call the hotline at 210-206-PREK (7735) to add additional Centers to their application.

No. You will only be asked basic information about your family, contact information, and preferences for Pre-K 4 SA.

Email notifications begin the first Monday in February and continue on a rolling basis as space is available at the Centers. The notification email will include information regarding the registration process.

If you receive an email that says you are on the waitlist, it means space is not available at the Center(s) you selected. When and if space becomes available, you will be notified by email.

The 4 education centers are located in the city's North, South, East, and West quadrants.

Food from home is not permitted. Pre-K 4 SA provides free nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks to children daily. The San Antonio Food Bank prepares meals off-site and is delivered to the four education centers. The Food Bank also conducts nutrition workshops for families and provides support for our child-run gardens. Pre-K 4 SA funds the meal program with Child and Adult Care Food Program reimbursement. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free meals are available. None of the meals include pork or red meat; only chicken and turkey are served. Alternate meals are available to accommodate children with additional dietary restrictions. Pre-K 4 SA is peanut free.

Pre-K 4 SA provides a free Extended Day Program from 3-6 p.m. for families who are working or in school. To qualify, families must submit the “Extended Day Program Employment Verification” form during registration. This form must be signed by the parent’s supervisor. Forms must be submitted for both working parents, if applicable.

Convenient, efficient, and safe bus transportation is available daily for registered children to ride between designated bus depots and their corresponding Pre-K 4 SA education centers.

See our Transportation page for bus times and locations.

That’s OK. Pre-K 4 SA understands that all children progress at different speeds when it comes to this hygiene transition. Our teachers use SEL (Social Emotional Learning) techniques to help children feel comfortable, no matter what stage they are at.

No. At Pre-K 4 SA, we keep your child’s mind engaged but also have plenty of breaks, including snack breaks, restroom breaks, and nap time. Our activities are strategically designed for their growth and their age level—90% of a child’s brain is developed by age five, so engaging them in these early years will create a foundation of critical lifelong skills.