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Pre-Kindergarten and Early Learning

website header photo for the pre-k webpage

 

Welcome to our Pre-Kindergarten and Early Learning information hub! We are excited to partner with families as their children take their first steps into a world of learning, exploration, and growth. Our Pre-K programs are designed to nurture curiosity, build foundational academic and social skills, and create joyful early learning experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Here you’ll find everything you need to learn more about enrollment, program offerings, age requirements, and the many ways we support our youngest learners on their educational journey.

Free Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Program

The Free Pre-K Program is an early learning program to prepare children for kindergarten who are identified as at risk. Pre-K provides learning to children who are four years old on or before September 1.

To qualify for Pre-Kindergarten, the child MUST:

  • Turn four years old on or before September 1

and meet ONE of the following criteria:

  • Limited English Proficiency. Students qualifying as limited English proficient will be tested on the day of registration to determine placement in the program
  • Economically Disadvantaged. Students qualifying as economically disadvantaged must meet the federal income eligibility guidelines
  • Homeless
  • The child of a parent in the military or injured or killed while actively serving in the military. Appropriate Department of Defense identification or documentation must be provided
  • In or have been in the conservatorship of the state of Texas. Appropriate documentation from the Department of Family and Protective Services must be provided
  • The child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award, as a peace officer, firefighter or emergency medical first responder.
  • The child of a Santa Fe ISD Teacher

Early Childhood Special Education 

The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Program provides a language-rich environment and school readiness skills for students identified with special needs. The ECSE provides services to children beginning on their third birthday.

If you suspect your child may have a disability and is already enrolled in Santa Fe ISD, please contact your child's campus administrator or counselor for guidance and next steps.

If your child is not enrolled in school and you suspect he or she may have a disability, call the SFISD Special Services office at 409-925-9050 to schedule a screening appointment.

High Quality PreK (HQPK) Family Engagement Plan 

School Year  

2025-2026 

Vision 2030 

To create a collaborative learning community of learners and community partners to establish strong core values to support student learning outcomes.  

Primary HQPK Contact (Name, Email, Phone) 

Jennifer Hulse, jennifer.hulse@sfisd.org, 409-925-9050 

Required Components: 

Santa Fe ISD Component Description: 

Activity/Event/Practice 

  1. Facilitate family to family support 

Inclusive, transparent communication to create a safe and respectful learning environment to promote and support family involvement  

Campus weekly newsletters, PK enrollment in April/May, Campus Programs, Open House events 

  1. Establish a network of community resources 

SFISD will build partnerships with community organizations to provide community resources for caregivers 

Campus events, PK/K Roundup Enrollment Fair – April/May, Literacy Nights 

  1. Increase family participation in decision making  

SFISD HQ PK family engagement plan is one of the strategies our district uses to support and guide collaborative success. This plan facilitates positive relationships between staff and families, builds a shared understanding of ongoing collaboration to ensure every child reaches their full potential, from birth to kindergarten and beyond. Throughout the year, participation in district and school wide decisions making empowers caregivers as their child's first teacher and advocate. 

Campus Improvement Plan Committee  

District Improvement Plan Committee  

LPAC Committee Parent Group  

District Education Involvement Committee (DEIC) 

  1. Equip families with tools to enhance and extend learning 

SFISD provides caregivers with a variety of opportunities to learn about student progress and ways to support success at home. 

Family conferences 

Teacher selected take home learning activities  

 Weekly/Monthly Campus newsletters 

 Quarterly Campus events 

  1. Develop staff skills in evidence-based practices that support families in meeting their children’s learning benchmarks 

Prekindergarten teaching staff participate in Professional Development (PD) opportunities to support and use culturally diverse, culturally relevant, and culturally responsive family engagement strategies to enhance instruction. 

Conscious Discipline training 

Pre-K Curriculum (Frog Street)  

Pre-K Guidelines Pre-K training, coaching and mentoring Campus PD/Districtwide PD  

  1. Evaluate family engagement efforts and use evaluations for continuous improvement 

Ongoing campus/district needs assessment cycle will seek input to improve the quality of instruction, climate, and family engagement. 

Campus Improvement Plan cycle  

 District Performance Report  

 Parent Surveys 

Transition to Kindergarten 

Provide opportunities for students and their families to explore Kindergarten through campus tours, meet the teacher, etc…