Pre-K is vitally important to a child’s development and school readiness. Your child will have early language, literacy, and math experiences to better prepare them for academic rigor in later grades. Attending Pre-K also helps young student to gain a sense of self, exploration, discovery, and confidence. Fort Worth ISD’s program offers a safe environment, high-quality integrated curriculum, highly qualified teachers, and ongoing assessments with progress monitoring

Your child must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026, to enter Pre-K 4 for the 2026-2027 school year. Children who turn 5 on or before September 1 are not eligible for Pre-K and will enroll in kindergarten instead.

In Fort Worth ISD, there is a place for every Pre-K student.

If your child meets federal qualifying guidelines, they are prioritized to receive a spot at their zoned campus.

If your child does not meet federal qualifying guidelines, he or she is designated as a Universal Pre-K (UPK) student.

Pre-K placement is based on the date your application is completed. Families are notified on a rolling schedule. Once you receive your notification, you can log in to Parent Portal to accept your child’s assignment.

The federal government prioritizes Pre-K students by the following criteria:

• Unable to speak and comprehend English language
• Economically or educationally disadvantaged
• Homeless
• The dependent of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States
• Child has ever been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Families may select up to three campus choices when applying. Pre-K placement is based on seat availability, application completion date, and district priority guidelines. Students who qualify under federal guidelines and live in a campus attendance zone receive priority for that campus. If space is available at one of your selected campuses, your child may be offered a seat there. If your selected campuses are full and your neighborhood school has space, your child may be offered a seat at that campus. If space is not available, your child may be placed on a waitlist.

Pre-K placement is based on the date your application is completed. Families are notified on a rolling schedule. Once you receive your notification, you can log in to Parent Portal to accept your child’s assignment.

Placement Timeline

Apply April 1–10 → Notified April 15
Apply April 11–24 → Notified April 29
Apply April 25–May 8 → Notified May 13
Apply May 9–22 → Notified May 27
Apply May 23–June 5 → Notified June 10
Apply June 6–19 → Notified June 24
Apply June 20–July 3 → Notified July 8
Apply July 4–17 → Notified July 22
Apply July 18–31 → Notified August 5
Apply August 1–14 → Notified August 19

When you log into Parent Portal, your zoned campus will automatically be selected.

Online school locator

If your child is federally qualifying, they are prioritized to receive a spot at their zoned campus.

Online registration always begins April 1 for the following school year.

Pre-K placement is based on the date your application is completed. Families are notified on a rolling schedule. Once you receive your notification, you can log in to Parent Portal to accept your child’s assignment.

Placement Timeline

Apply April 1–10 → Notified April 15
Apply April 11–24 → Notified April 29
Apply April 25–May 8 → Notified May 13
Apply May 9–22 → Notified May 27
Apply May 23–June 5 → Notified June 10
Apply June 6–19 → Notified June 24
Apply June 20–July 3 → Notified July 8
Apply July 4–17 → Notified July 22
Apply July 18–31 → Notified August 5
Apply August 1–14 → Notified August 19

Provide 1 item from each category:
 

1. Student's proof of age and identity
    
   • Birth certificate
   • Statement of the child’s date of birth issued for school admission purposes by the Vital Statistics Section of the Texas Department of State Health Services
   • Passport
   • School ID card, records, or report card
   • Hospital birth record
   • Adoption records
   • Church baptismal record
   • Any other legal document that establishes identity
      
2. Health Information
    
   • Immunization/Shot Record
      
3. Guardian Information
    
   • State-issued photo ID
   • Driver’s license
   • Military ID
   • Passport
      
4. Proof of Address
    
   • Utility Bill
   • Lease Agreement

You do not have to live within the FWISD boundary to attend. However, school enrollment may be limited to space availability.

Priority is given to students who qualify under the federal guidelines AND reside in the neighborhood of the campus (proof of residence required). Additional information about priority may be found in Board Policy.

Parents must wait until the campus of their choice has met the needs of the children in their neighborhood first. Then, if space is available, the school may take other students.

Pre-K 4 is offered at all our elementary campuses with the exception of:

• Alice Carlson Applied Learning Center
• Riverside Applied Learning Academy
• Daggett Montessori

In Fort Worth ISD, there is a place for every Pre-K student.

If your child meets federal qualifying guidelines, they are prioritized to receive a spot at their zoned campus.

If your child does not meet federal qualifying guidelines, he or she is designated as a Universal Pre-K (UPK) student. Starting May 1, campuses can start reviewing and accepting registration for non-qualifying (UPK) students. Limited spots are available for transfers to a different campus. Read more here.

Your child will have a spot at their zoned elementary school the next year for Kindergarten.

No, all students must attend their neighborhood school for kindergarten.

Transportation is not provided for Pre-K students who attend school at or away from their neighborhood elementary schools. However, transportation is provided for Western Hills Primary.

All FWISD Pre-K classes are full-day. Exact hours may vary by school.

Your child must be 3 years old on or before September 1, 2026, to enter Pre-K 3 for the 2026-2027 school year.

Students must qualify for the program and reside inside the District. Priority is given to students living in the campus attendance zone.

The Pre-K 3 program for the 2026-2027 school year is limited to the following campuses:

• Bill J. Elliott Elementary
• Carroll Peak Elementary
• Morningside Elementary
• T.A. Sims Elementary
• Van Zandt-Guinn Elementary
• C.C. Moss Elementary
• Leadership Academy at Maude Logan Elementary
   
• Headstart - Center for Transforming Lives (CTL) Partnerships 
  • Morningside Elementary (CTL)
  • East Handley Elementary (CTL)
  • R.J. Wilson (Pre-K 4 only - CTL)