VPK Program for 2026-2027

Voluntary Prekindergarten is a program provided in conjunction with the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas to ensure a strong start in kindergarten and beyond.

VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten for 4-Year-Olds)   How to apply for VPK

• For children who are four years old on or before September 1
• Free three-hour program with an option to extend to the full school day
• Hands-on, play-based learning aligned with Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards
• Encourages exploration, creativity, and critical thinking. 
• Focus on early literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills.
• Programs at most elementary school sites across Pinellas County

The first application period for VPK will begin November 19, 2025 through December 9, 2025. Families will be notified of a seat beginning on December 16, 2025 and will be asked to sign back in to focus.pcsb.org  by January 9, 2026 to accept the seat.

VPK families must apply for a certificate of eligibility with the Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County starting January 1, 2026. Please visit the Early Learning Coalition and complete the online application for the certificate of eligibility. For additional information about the certificate, please call the Early Learning Coalition at (727) 400-4411. 

Extend VPK to the full school day. Children attending the full day will have a weekly tuition of $125.00/week at elementary school sites. VPK full day tuition for the Little Packers program will be $150.00/week.

• There will be a non-refundable registration fee of $100.00 due at the time of enrollment. The only sites that will not require a registration fee are Campbell Park Elementary, Fairmount Park Elementary, Kings Highway Elementary, Lakewood Elementary, Maximo Elementary and Melrose Elementary.
• Free full-day VPK is provided at six sites. Tuition and registration are free at these sites. See schools listed in orange on the table below.
• Full-day VPK will be discounted at elementary school sites for students that have a parent and/or legal guardian who is a full-time benefit eligible PCS employee. Our Employee and Community Preschool site at Largo High School will also offer a discount for students that have a parent and/or a legal guardian who is a full-time benefit eligible PCS employee. The PCS employee discounted rate will be $50.00/week at elementary school sites and $90.00/week at Largo High School. 

Tuition assistance will be available for families that qualify for the Free or Reduced Lunch Program. This initiative will extend VPK to the full elementary school day for children whose families qualify. To qualify, families must complete the school lunch application. The application will be available in August prior to the start of the program year. Families qualifying for reduced lunch will have a reduced rate of weekly tuition set at $30.00. Families qualifying for free lunch will have tuition waived for full school day enrollment. 

2026-2027 VPK Sites:

*Free full-day programs