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School Readiness (Pre-K)

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The School Readiness Department will ensure that Pre-Kindergarten students have access to a high-quality developmentally appropriate learning environment to prepare them for school success in the 21st century.

Huntsville City Schools Pre-Kindergarten Application 2023-2024

The HCS Pre-K Application is currently closed.  The HCS Pre-K Application for the 2023-2024 school year will be open from February 21 - March 24, 2023. Please note that applying for Pre-K does not guarantee placement into the program.

To qualify, children must be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2023 (no exceptions)

The 2023-2024 HCS Pre-K application requires two steps this year:  You must complete both links below to be considered for a position in Pre-K.

You will receive a verification email from both applications separately.

For more information, please email us at prek@hsv-k12.org or contact us via phone at 256-428-6886.

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Ms. Helen Scott
School Readiness Director
Office: 256-428-6886
Location: Mastin Lake Facility

 

Pre-K Information

Pre-K School Supplies List

(Please feel free to donate additional items to the classroom at your own will.)

  • Child Size beach Towel for Nap
  • Complete Change of Clothes (Pants, shirt, socks, and underwear)
  • Backpack or Tote bag (Large enough for a folder, towel, and clothes)
  • Water Bottle – name clearly labeled
  • Face Mask or covering
Pre-K Parent Resources

Application Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the age and residential requirement to apply for Pre-Kindergarten?
  • Children must be four years of age on or before September 1, 2023 (children who are eligible for Kindergarten are ineligible to apply).
  • You must be a resident of Huntsville and can only be selected for the school zone in which you live.  You cannot apply for a Majority-to-Minority transfer for Pre-K.
  • A child cannot be retained in Pre-Kindergarten, he/she can only spend one year in the program.
When and how do I apply for Pre-Kindergarten?
  • The application window will open on February 21, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. and close for selection on March 24, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. If selected, you will receive a provisional acceptance email within two weeks.  If not selected, you will receive a waitlist email. 
  • The online application is a two-step process and you must complete both steps. It will be available on the Huntsville City Schools website here on the School Readiness Department page. If you are unable to access the online application, please contact the School Readiness office (256-428-6886) for assistance.
  • The Magnet Schools (AAA, ASFL) Pre-K application window typically opens and closes in the fall. Please contact the Magnet Programs Department for more information.
  • The application window will reopen March 27, 2023, and will remain open until December 31, 2023.
How do I get more information on the application process & program?

Parent Information Sessions will be made available beginning February 14 and running through February 23.  View upcoming events to see available sessions and click the links on each event to request a Zoom link for the meeting.  Parents can attend any of these sessions regardless of their zoned school.

How does the selection process work?
  • Huntsville City Schools uses an automated selection program to randomly select children for the Pre-K program.
  • The program gives priority to children based on at-risk factors and other eligibility criteria identified by Huntsville City Schools.
  • All Pre-K students must reside in Huntsville and can only be selected for the school zone in which the child lives.
  • If your child is selected for Pre-K and you move to another school zone, you must notify School Readiness.  Placement of your child in the new school zone is not guaranteed.
What happens if my child is selected?

You will receive a provisional acceptance letter via email if the child is selected, usually within two weeks after the initial application process closes.

  • If selected, parents will be notified via email of Provisional Acceptance usually within two weeks after the initial application process closes.
  • This acceptance will be contingent upon the verification of all eligibility/required documents stated in the provisional acceptance letter and attendance at the mandatory orientation.
  • All documents must be submitted to the school by the date specified on the provisional acceptance letter.
  • Parents must attend a Mandatory Orientation. Orientation dates will be included on your provisional acceptance letter.
  • The child is considered fully enrolled after the following occurs:
    1. PowerSchool registration is completed via the enrollment page.
    2. All documents have been verified by the school site.
    3. Parents have attended Mandatory Orientation; and
    4. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire is completed when requested
What documents are required if selected?
  • Age verification document (for example, birth certificate, passport, official medical document, or official document from another country). Birth certificates can only be uploaded in PowerSchool or delivered to your assigned school.
  • If you own/rent you must provide two (2) proofs of residence (1st - signed lease, copy of a deed, mortgage statement, 2nd - utility bill, cable, or telephone bill)
  • Parents/guardians living with another person or family must complete the new shared resident packet and provide all required documents (please see the student enrollment reference guide).
  • Immunization Record (most current)
  • Parent/Guardian Photo ID
  • Proof of Temporary Guardianship (if applicable)
  • Proof of Legal Custody (if applicable)
  • Additional documents may be requested.
What happens if my child is placed on the wait list?
  • If you have not received a provisional acceptance letter by mid- April, your child will be automatically placed on the wait list. 
  • If a vacancy occurs and your child is selected, you will be notified via email and phone.
  • The wait list will remain active throughout the school year.

Other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is "Meet Your Teacher Day"?
  • This event will take place in August (tentatively Wednesday, August 2nd & Tuesday, August 3rd). Teachers will notify parents of the date and time that they are scheduled to attend. It is important that students and parents have an opportunity to become acquainted with the teacher and new school environment prior to the first full day of school.
What is Staggered Start?
  • Staggered start allows Pre-K students an opportunity to get adjusted to the classroom in a small setting.
  • Fifty percent (50%) of the students will report on Monday, August 7 and Wednesday, August 9, 2023. 
  • The other fifty percent (50%) will report on Tuesday, August 8 and Thursday, August 10, 2023.
  • All students will report on Friday, August 11, 2023.
Is the program a full day and is there a cost?
  • The program is 6.5 hours a day. Students must be signed in and out daily by a parent or an adult guardian.
  • Start times may vary by school depending on the grade level structure.
  • There is No Cost
Is attendance mandatory?

Once students are accepted into the Pre-K program, daily attendance is MANDATORY.  We follow the attendance policy as identified in your parent partnership agreement.

How many students per class?

There is a maximum of 18 children per class that are taught by both a lead degreed teacher certified in Early Childhood Education and an auxiliary teacher with a minimum of nine hours of college credit in Early Childhood Education or Child Development Associate (CDA).

Is transportation provided by the district?

Parents are responsible for transporting students daily.

What curriculum is used?
  • The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is our curriculum. It is aligned with the Alabama Standards for Early Childhood Development and is a research-based, comprehensive curriculum that furthers exploration and discovery as a way of learning.
  • Conscious Discipline, I See I Learn, and Second Step are additional programs/resources that support social-emotional, health and safety, and cognitive development.
  • Imagine Learning Language & Literacy and Imagine Math
  • Heggerty Phonemic Awareness
What assessments are used?
  • Teaching Strategies GOLD
  • Imagine Math and Imagine Learning Language Literacy
  • ASQ-3 (Ages and States Questionnaire) - Developmental Screener that is completed prior to the beginning of the school year
  • e-DECA-P (Devereux Early Childhood Assessment for Preschoolers) - 2 times a year.
  • PELI (Preschool Early Learning Indicators) - 3 times a year
Are there Head Start classes available?
Is there an afterschool program?

Extended-day is available through ALPHA-BEST at some sites. Contact the schools for more information.


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IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF TITLE II OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990 ("ADA"), THE HUNTSVILLE CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN ITS SERVICES, PROGRAMS, OR ACTIVITIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT.

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