FAQ

An application is required for any new student wanting to enroll in preschool, or any student that previously withdrew from preschool in Tacoma Public Schools. If your student(s) attended a preschool classroom through the end of the previous school year, then you are not required to re-apply. If your student(s) withdrew prior to the last day of the previous school year, you are required to re-apply for enrollment.

The first qualifying factor for acceptance is your permanent address. Families are required to live within the Tacoma School District boundaries. 

The second qualifying factor is age. Children must be three or four-years-old on or before August 31.

The same factors for qualification are used when reviewing application for priority acceptance. Based on the applications submitted, we review the following three factors to determine priority acceptance in preschool:

• Address:  Preschool is only available to those families living within the boundaries of the Tacoma School District. Neighborhood school are given priority when reviewing qualifying applications.
• Income:  Families with an annual household income below the 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will receive priority consideration when space is available. If your family household income is above the 400% FPL, your student(s) will automatically be placed on a wait list.* Please review the chart below that details the range of incomes for each level of the FPL.
• Age:  Children must be three or four-years old on or before August 31. Priority is given to students who turn four-years-old on or before August 31 of the current school year.

*Please keep in mind, enrollment continues throughout the school year; student(s) placed on the wait list can be enrolled at anytime. Priority will be given to any families whose household income falls below the 400% FPL.

One of the following documents can be used as proof of income:

• Income tax form for the previous year
• W-2 form for the previous year
• Employer letter stating (12) months of total gross earnings
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) award letter (Provided by the State for qualifying public assistance programs)
• 12 months of pay stubs (if W2 unavailable)

In the 2019-2020 school year, transportation for preschool is limited to only classrooms funded by ECEAP. Some restrictions apply.

Starting in the 2020-2021 school year, transportation will not provided for preschool.

Families will be notified by phone within 45 days of submitting their application whether their student is placed in a classroom or on the wait list.

All kindergarten students are guaranteed a placement at their neighborhood school. Families are required to apply for choice enrollment if you would like your student to attend kindergarten at a school outside of your neighborhood boundaries. Please visit the district enrollment page for additional information.

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