Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education
Enroll for 2025-2026 beginning April 1
Find Your Campus
Need assistance? Please contact your home campus registrar for support. The home campus will verify and process your application whether or not the campus has the participating program.
PreK Feeder Pattern
PreK Programs Offered
Round Rock ISD aims to provide 3- and 4-year-old students (and their families) a comprehensive and cohesive play-based, early childhood program focused on developing oral language and social and emotional skills.
Review our Pre-K programs | Plan de Participación Familiar de Prekínder
Pre-K feeder pattern (English) | Pre-K feeder pattern (Spanish)
Eligibility and tuition-based Pre-K for 4-year-olds (Pre-K4)
Full day Pre-K at a Round Rock ISD school.
Tuition-based spots are FULL.
We are accepting families who qualify based on eligibility criteria established by the Texas Education Agency.
Full-day tuition-based Pre-K for 3-year-olds (Pre-K3)
Full day Pre-K at a Round Rock ISD school.
Pre-K3 programs are FULL.
Pre-K for 3- year-olds partnership with United Way of Williamson County
Eligibility is based on criteria established by the Texas Education Agency.
Learn more about Pre-K for 3-year-olds partnership with United Way of Williamson County
Together We Can
The Together We Can child care program provides Round Rock ISD employees with preschool-age children on-site* childcare.
Child Care Centers
Round Rock ISD has two full-time, licensed child development centers for teen parents to use while they are in school, and for Round Rock ISD employees.
Early Childhood Special Education Services
The Early Childhood Special Education Services program provides special education services to eligible 3- , 4- and 5-year-old children
Documents required for registration:
- Birth certificate
- Immunizations record or exemption affidavit
- Proof of income [two most recent pay stubs]
- Proof of residence in the school district [such as, lease agreement, if renting, contract of sale or a tax statement, if purchasing or current utility bill indicated the address and adult’s name].
- If you are an in- or out-of-district transfer, please review our transfer webpage.
- Social Security card, if available
Eligibility and tuition-based Pre-K for 4-year-olds (Pre-K4)
- For children who are 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, live in the district, and meet at least one of the eligibility criteria established by the Texas Education Agency
TEA Frequently Asked Questions - Classrooms are staffed by a certified teacher and an educational assistant that implement our Pre-K curriculum and attend ongoing professional learning with the Early Childhood department.
- The Round Rock ISD Pre-K Curriculum is based on the Texas Education Agency’s Prekindergarten Guidelines and the Aligned Round Rock Curriculum.
- Areas included are: Oral language, alphabet recognition, and phonological awareness (awareness of language sounds) are emphasized in prekindergarten. Children learn to interact with others and monitor their own behavior. Expressing themselves through words, art, and music is also part of the curriculum. Children develop observation and thinking skills through math, science, and social studies. Computers are introduced as tools for learning.
- Prekindergarten can be one of a child’s most exciting years in school. Four-year-olds are naturally curious and eager to learn. Students in prekindergarten leave the Round Rock ISD program with the skills they need to be successful in kindergarten and establish a love for learning.
- Round Rock ISD Early Childhood Education proudly offers limited tuition-based Pre-K for 4-year-old spots at many of our campuses. TEA requires us to serve all eligible Pre-K4 students who enroll throughout the year, so tuition-based spots are not available at every campus that serves Pre-K.
- Enrolling families who do not meet any eligibility criteria will be on a waitlist for tuition-based Pre-K4 spots.
- The Early Childhood Department will maintain a waitlist of interested families throughout the year based on the timestamp of Pre-K4 application submission. Campus capacity and attendance zones will be considered when making placement decisions.
- $684 monthly tuition for students who do not meet TEA criteria
- Pre-K4 Parent Handbook
Eligibility and tuition-based Pre-K for 3-year-olds
- Round Rock ISD Early Childhood Education proudly offers full-day instruction for 3-year-old students at nine top-rated campuses. Classrooms are staffed by a certified teacher and an educational assistant that implement our Pre-K curriculum and attend ongoing professional learning with the Early Childhood department. Children learn through developmentally appropriate activities and play.
- A literacy-rich environment and positive interactions with peers and adults facilitate language enrichment, social skills, emotional intelligence, self-help skills, pre-reading skills, and cognitive skills. Our Pre-K3 program utilizes a variety of research-based curricula adopted through Round Rock ISD. Pre-K3 classes implement the District curriculum that is written and aligned to the state-adopted prekindergarten guidelines.
- Berkman Arts Integration Academy (Pre-K3 dual language)
- Gattis
- Pond Springs
- Joe Lee Johnson (Pre-K3 dual language)
- Laurel Mountain
- Caraway
- Old Town
- Fern Bluff
Redbud elementary
- Class size is limited to 20 students, with one Pre-K3 classroom per participating campus. Pre-K3 programs are for children 3 years old on or before Sept. 1 who reside within district boundaries. The annual tuition cost per student is payable annually, by semester, or by 10 monthly payments through our eStore portal. Round Rock ISD is required to confirm eligibility before charging the full-rate tuition.
- $100 deposit goes towards the first month’s tuition
- $342 monthly tuition for students who meet at least one Texas Education Agency eligibility criteria
- $684 monthly tuition for students who do not meet TEA criteria.
- Pre-K3 Parent Handbook
- The Early Childhood Department will maintain a waitlist of interested families throughout the year based on the timestamp of Pre-K3 application submission. Transportation is not provided for our Pre-K3 students and after school care is limited for an additional fee.
Pre-K for 3 year olds Partnership with United Way of Williamson County
- Round Rock ISD is proud to partner with United Way of Greater Austin to offer high-quality early childhood instruction at local Child Care Centers that are 3 and 4 star Texas Rising Star certified. Through this partnership child care centers will receive funding to support additional resources to help improve and sustain quality services for children, additional professional learning opportunities, and improve teacher recruitment efforts. Students, as part of this partnership, will co-enroll at both in Round Rock ISD and the center.
- To be eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten class, a child must be at least three years of age on or before September 1 of the current school year, and meet at least one of the criteria established by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Complete the Pre-K3 United Way Formal Partner Interest Survey to get started.
- Proof of income is required when enrolling a student in PreK3. Tuition-rate for Pre-K3 will be based on gross household income. You may qualify for subsidized child care based on household income. Apply for subsidized child care through Workforce Solutions.
United Way Partner Schools & Child Care Facilities:
- Shoreline Learning Center
5201 Burnet St.
Austin, TX 78728
512-681-3255
Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuition: $877 monthly (or Child Care Services parent fee)
Registration fee: $200 - Small World Preschool
111 E. Logan St.
Round Rock, TX 78728
512-388-1077
Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Tuition: $650 monthly (or Child Care Services parent fee)
Registration fee: $200 - Hilltop Children’s Center
9415 TX-29
Liberty Hill, TX 78642
512-966-1106
Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuition: $995 monthly
Registration fee: $150 - Little Hands International
8830 Cainwood Lane
Austin, TX 78729
512-919-0019
Monday through Friday 7:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuition: $900 monthly
Registration Fee: $200 - Lake Creek Montessori International School
10127 Lake Creek Parkway
Austin, TX 78729
512-770-6270
Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuition: $1,077 monthly
Registration Fee $350 - Kiddie Academy of Round Rock
5080 N A.W. Grimes Blvd
Round Rock, TX 78665
512-270-9988
Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuition: 15% discount
Registration Fee $150
Pre-K Eligibility Criteria
Language
Appropriate staff members determine that a student is eligible for Pre-K if there is another language other than English spoken at home following this process:
- Upon enrollment in a Texas public school, a student’s parent completes a Home Language Survey (HLS), indicating the language used in the home most of the time and the language used by the student most of the time. If a language other than English is indicated on any portion of the survey, the district must assess the student for English language proficiency using the state-approved English language proficiency assessment
- The Language Proficiency Assessment committee (LPAC) convenes to identify the student as emergent bilingual or as English proficient, based on the results of the English language proficiency assessment, and recommends placement of the identified emergent bilingual in either the bilingual or ESL education program.The LPAC must give written notice to the student’s parents informing them that the student has been classified as emergent bilingual and requesting documented parental approval to place the student in the required bilingual or ESL education program.
- If you are concerned about a developmental or speech delay, please visit our Child Find website for more information on speech assessment and services.
Income
Any student considered educationally disadvantaged is eligible to receive free Pre-K. The TEC, §5.001(4), defines “educationally disadvantaged” as “eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program.” Apply for free/reduced meals online and visit the Food Services webpage for more information.
- Eligibility may be based on total income and size (i.e., number of household members) of a participant’s household.
- Automatic Eligibility: a child who is a member of a household receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, State Medicaid programs, or similar income-tested programs or other source of information, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture (42 USC, §1758f)
Foster Care
Foster care, or out of home care, is the system that a child enters when a child cannot live safely at home and a court of law grants legal custody to the State of Texas.
A child in foster care can be in either the temporary or permanent conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Visit the Round Rock ISD Families in Transition website.
Star of Texas Award
A student is eligible on the basis that his or her parent or guardian is eligible for the Star of Texas Award for peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders. For the student to be eligible, the parent must have been deemed eligible for the Star of Texas Award between 2004 and the current year of the awards ceremony. The Star of Texas Awards honor all Texas peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical first responders, and federal law enforcement officers who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. Private Citizens who were seriously injured or killed while aiding or attempting to aid a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency first responder in the performance of their duties are also eligible to receive a Star of Texas Award.
Homelessness
A student is eligible on the basis of homelessness if our Round Rock ISD Families in Transition (FiT) liaison identifies the student as homeless, 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. 42 USC, §11434a defines “homeless children and youths” as:
- “Individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of 42 USC, §11302). This includes:
- (i) Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
- (ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of 42 USC, §11302);
- (iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
- (iv) migratory children
Military
The following definitions apply when determining a student’s Pre-K eligibility based on the membership of a parent in the armed forces: Those who qualify as a member of the armed forces include:
- active duty uniformed members (parents or official guardians) of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard who have eligible children residing in Texas
- activated or mobilized uniformed members of the Texas National Guard (army or air guard), or activated or mobilized members of the reserve components of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard who have eligible children residing in Texas
- uniformed service members who are missing in action (MIA) or who are injured or killed while on active dutyDocumentation accepted includes:
- A statement of service from the installation adjutant general director of human resources for children of active members, mobilized reservists, or members of the Texas National Guard
- For children of service members who died or were killed, a copy of the death certificate using the service-appropriate DoD form or a DoD form that indicates death as the reason for the separation from service
- A copy of Purple Heart orders or citation for children of service members, mobilized reservists, or guardsmen who were wounded or injured in combat.
- A copy of the line of duty determination documentation for children of service members, mobilized reservists, or guardsmen who were injured while serving active duty but were not wounded or injured in combat.
- Documentation that a service member is MIA for children of service members who are MIA.
What PreK program do you qualify for?
Round Rock ISD Prekindergarten Family Engagement Plan
Full Day Prekindergarten
PreK Feeder Pattern 7:30 a.m. to 2:55 p.m.
- Anderson Mill
- Berkman
- Blackland Prairie
- Bluebonnet
- Brushy Creek
- Cactus Ranch
- Caldwell Heights
- Callison
- Caraway
- Chandler Oaks
- Deep Wood
- Double File Trail
- England
- Fern Bluff
- Forest North
- Gattis
- Great Oaks
- Herrington
- Joe Lee Johnson
- Jollyville
- Laurel Mountain
- Old Town
- Pond Springs
- Purple Sage
- Redbud
- Robertson
- Sommer
- Teravista
- Union Hill
- Voigt
- Wells Branch
PreK Transportation
PM Bus Dropoff
An adult of at least 18 years old must be present at the bus stop to receive a PreK student from the bus. Any adult who will be receiving a PreK student from the bus should be prepared to provide identification to the driver. If an 18+ adult is not present at the bus stop, the student will be returned to their campus. Buses are not able to return to the stop.
SMART Tag
Round Rock ISD utilizes the SMART tag student badging system. This program ensures that all students are getting on and off the bus at the correct stop and allows campus administrators to see what students are riding the bus, as well as the time and location that students get on and off the bus. The SMART tag Parent Portal allows parents to see when and where their student(s) get on and off of the bus, as well as the ability to add and remove additional caregivers who are approved to receive their student from the bus. More information on SMART tag Information on the Round Rock ISD SMART tag Parent Portal
Transportation Eligibility
Transportation services are provided to students who live two or more miles from their campus, per Round Rock ISD school board policy. Students residing within two miles of their assigned school may be eligible for transportation if their neighborhood qualifies as hazardous under the District’s hazardous transportation rating system. Elementary school bus stops are created with a maximum walk-to-stop distance of 0.25 miles. More information regarding Round Rock ISD transportation, including a bus stop locator search tool Information on the Round Rock ISD SMART tag Parent Portal