Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Your child just needs to turn three or four by September 1, 2023.

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.

Any child living within the city limits of San Antonio or Extra Territorial Jurisdiction can attend Pre-K 4 SA. However, all students 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 were in foster care, or 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. For children who do not meet the Texas Education Agency eligibility requirements, free or reduced tuition is available through our Investing in Education Scholarship program.

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

Applications are accepted beginning February 1, 2022. You can start your contactless application here or over the phone at 210-206-PREK (7735).

Yes. 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, your contact information, and your preferences for Pre-K 4 SA.

Email notifications will begin the 1st Monday in February and will continue each Monday as space is available at the Centers. The notification email will include information regarding the registration process steps.

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

The four Education Centers are located in the North, South, East and West quadrants of the city. Click here for the center addresses.

Pre-K 4 SA provides a free nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack to students daily. Meals are prepared off-site by the San Antonio Food Bank and delivered to the four Education Centers. The Food Bank also conducts nutrition workshops for families and provides support for student-run gardens. Pre-K 4 SA funds the meal program with reimbursement from the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free meals are also 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 an Extended Day Program from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. for families who are working or in school. The Extended Day Program is free for all qualifying families. 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.

Bus transportation is available for registered students to and from the bus depot and the Pre-K 4 SA Education Centers. Each center has designated bus depots to provide convenient, efficient, and safe locations for the student to ride each day. Pre-K 4 SA buses are specifically designed for young children and are equipped with 5-point harness integrated safety seats. Each bus has interior and exterior cameras. CPR and First Aid Certified Bus Monitors ride to and from school with the students each day and maintain the student ratio of a maximum of 18 students to one adult. Bus Drivers are also professionally certified.

See our Transportation Services page for bus times and locations.

The school day begins at 7:45 AM and ends at 3:00 PM. Parents may drop off children beginning at 7:20 AM and pick up as early as 2:45 PM.

Our Extended Day program is available from 3:00-6:00 PM for families that are working full-time.

Yes. Pre-K 4 SA classrooms have both 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds. Studies have shown benefits of combined classrooms. The older students learn leadership skills while the younger students learn critical skills by watching and playing with the older students.

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 5, so engaging them in these early years will create a foundation of critical lifelong skills.

Pre-K 4 SA believes the family is a child’s first teacher, so whatever a family believes is best for siblings, we will do our best to make happen.