YISD to offer free Pre-K program to all El Paso families

The Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) is kicking off a Pre-K program at 16 schools in the upcoming school year.

The program is now open to all El Paso-area families free of cost, including those who typically don’t qualify for free pre-kindergarten programs or live outside YISD boundaries, officials announced Tuesday.

The free YISD Pre-K program will be available at the following campuses: the RFK, Parkland, and Ysleta Pre-K centers; and Cedar Grove, Constance Hulbert, East Point, Eastwood Heights, Edgemere, Glen Cove, Loma Terrace, Pasodale, Ramona, Sageland, Scotsdale, Tierra Del Sol, and Pebble Hills elementary schools.

YISD is opening the Pre-K program to all families free of charge in an effort to emphasize the importance of early childhood education.

YISD officials say research has shown learning experiences during the preschool years can have a profound and beneficial impact on a student’s future academic success. YISD’s Pre-K program is designed to help develop children’s social, emotional, self-help, and cognitive skills while providing hands-on activities and immersing them in a literature-rich environment, according to YISD officials.

Pre-K enrollment at YISD will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, with registration taking place from Aug. 10-21 at all 16 participating YISD campuses. Interested parents must pick up and fill out a registration packet from the school or Pre-K center of their choice. There are a limited number of slots open at each participating campus, so parents are advised to sign up their children as soon as possible.

The child must be present at registration. Documents required to complete Pre-K registration include the child’s Social Security card, immunization record, and birth certificate, as well as the parent’s photo I.D. and the current month’s utility bill (gas, water, or electric only) or a home contract or lease.

Beginning Friday, Sept. 4, schools will notify parents whose children have been accepted into the Pre-K program. The first day of school for Pre-K students is Monday, Sept. 14.

In previous years at YISD, students were eligible for free Pre-K programs only if they were 4 years old and met one of the following criteria in accordance with state law:
Unable to speak or comprehend English;
Educationally disadvantaged;
Homeless;
Child of active duty member of U.S. armed forces;
Child of U.S. armed forces member who was injured or killed on active duty; or
In conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing.