Voluntary Prekindergarten

  •  
    Voluntary Prekindergarten studentsVoluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is a free, state-funded program designed to prepare children for kindergarten. Children must be 4 years of age on or before Sept. 1 of the school year in which they are enrolling.

    Guided by the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for 4 year olds, the program provides developmentally appropriate activities in literacy, language, science, social studies, math, health and safety, art and music.

    Developing the skills children need to become strong readers improves their chances of being successful in school. Most classes have 18 to 20 students and are staffed with a certified teacher and a child development associate. Some classes are blended to include students with exceptional student education services. Follow your child’s development using the FOURS Child Development Checklist & Tips booklet.
     
     Learn more about the Summer VPK program
     
    Questions about VPK? Call 727-588-6513
     

  • How to Register:

    2020-2021 School Year Information:  

    VPK flyer-English 

    VPK flyer-Spanish

     
    Please note that VPK programs have limited availability.

    1. Get a Certificate of Eligibility (voucher) from the Early Learning Coalition
    Visit the Early Learning Coalition website at elcpinellas.net/register-for-vpk beginning January 2020. If you have questions call 727-400-4411. 

    2. Get Your PCS User ID and Password
    Go to any district school to obtain your user ID and password if you don’t have one for another child. Make sure to bring your government issued ID.

    3. Apply online for a VPK Seat Jan. 20 - Jan. 31, 2020
    Apply at reservation.pcsb.org during the application period. Choose up to three sites. School zone map.

    4. View the Results of Your Application and Accept an Invitation  beginning Feb. 24, 2020
    Log back on to reservation.pcsb.org to find out if your application was selected. Accept an invitation or decline an invitation and remain on waitlists for other sites. If you fail to accept an invitation during this period, the invitation will be void. 
     
    5. Enroll at Your Assigned School March 23-April 3, 2020
    Bring your registration fee and the following documents:
    • Certificate of Eligibility (voucher)
    • Birth Certificate
    • Proof of Residency (2 forms of documentation required)
    • Florida Certificate of Immunization
    • Physical examination certificate

    Parents who don't complete the enrollment process will lose their seat.

  • Cost

    • VPK is a free, 540 hour program during the school year that is available at many elementary schools. Students attend free for three hours each day, Monday through Friday.
    • VPK + 3 extends the VPK day an additional 3 hours so students attend for the full 6-hour school day. Tuition is $65 per week with a non-refundable registration fee that is applied to the last week's tuition. 
    • At select locations, the VPK+3 program is supported with Title 1 funding. Qualifying families at these schools do not pay tuition.

     

    Special Programs

    • Dual Language VPK is available at Garrison-Jones Elementary, where students spend half the day learning in English and half the day learning in Spanish. Many students in this program apply for the K-5 dual language program at the school.
    • Kings Highway Early Childhood Center is located at the Kings Highway Center for Innovation and Digital Learning. The school provides several early childhood programs, including VPK, where students receive violin instruction twice a week and have additional technology in the classrooms.

     

    2020-2021 School Year VPK Sites

  • • Anona Elementary
    • Azalea Elementary
    • Bardmoor Elementary
    • Bauder Elementary
    • Bay Point Elementary
    • Bear Creek Elementary
    • Belcher Elementary
    • Belleair Elementary
    • Blanton Elementary
    • Brooker Creek Elementary
    • Campbell Park Elementary
    • Cross Bayou Elementary
    • Curlew Creek Elementary
    • Cypress Woods Elementary
    • Dunedin Elementary
    • Eisenhower Elementary
    • Fairmount Park Elementary
    • Forest Lakes Elementary
    • Frontier Elementary
    • Fuguitt Elementary
    • Garrison-Jones Elementary
    • Gulfport Elementary
    • Highland Lakes Elementary
    • High Point Elementary
    • Jamerson Elementary
    • Kings Hwy. Elementary
    • Lake St. George Elementary
    • Lakeview Fundamental
    • Lakewood Elementary
    • Lealman Elementary
    • Little Cougars @ Countryside High
    • Little Packers @ Largo High
    • Lynch Elementary
    • Maximo Elementary
    • McMullen Booth Elementary
    • Melrose Elementary
    • Mildred Helms Elementary
    • Mt. Vernon Elementary

  • • New Heights Elementary
    • Northwest Elementary
    • Oakhurst Elementary
    • Oldsmar Elementary
    • Orange Grove Elementary
    • Ozona Elementary
    • Perkins Elementary
    • Pinellas Central Elementary
    • Pinellas Park Elementary
    • Plumb Elementary
    • Ponce de Leon Elementary
    • Rawlings Elementary
    • Ridgecrest Elementary
    • Safety Harbor Elementary
    • San Jose Elementary
    • Sawgrass Lake Elementary
    • Seminole Elementary
    • Seventy-fourth Street Elementary
    • Sexton Elementary
    • Shore Acres Elementary
    • Skycrest Elementary
    • Skyview Elementary
    • Southern Oak Elementary
    • Starkey Elementary
    • Sunset Hills Elementary
    • Sutherland Elementary
    • Tarpon Springs Elementary
    • Walsingham Elementary
    • Westgate Elementary
    • Woodlawn Elementary