In Texas, enrollment in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten is not mandatory. The state’s mandatory age of school attendance is 6 as of September 1 of the current school year. Texas public pre-K is a free, voluntary program for three- and four-year-old children who meet risk indicators for school failure.
Registration Process
To register a four-year-old for public school in Texas, visit the central registration office for the district and bring proof of the child’s age, residence, immunizations, and education records.
Eligibility and Tuition
Public school districts in Texas offer free pre-K programs for eligible four-year-olds. To be eligible, a child must be four by September 1 of the school year. Districts may charge tuition for ineligible children.
- Many states offer free or low-cost prekindergarten programs, including preschools offered by various organizations like schools, places of worship, nonprofits, and child care centers.
- An ideal preschool location is in a safe neighborhood with little traffic and pollution.
The average private preschool tuition in Texas is $8,479 per year, with the least expensive option at $1,576 per year and the most expensive at $34,450 per year.
- Montessori programs emphasize individualized, self-paced learning.
- Play-based preschools teach cooperation and social skills through play.
- A four-year-old can start kindergarten in Texas if eligible.
- Qualifying for Free Preschool: Check eligibility and registration requirements to qualify for free preschool in Texas.
- Texas Kids First Plan: A proposed initiative by House Democrats to enhance public school spending by $14.5 billion, fund full-day prekindergarten for all, increase pay for school employees, and more.