• 90% of a child’s brain is already developed by age six (Buffet Early Childhood Institute).
• Children who wait until kindergarten to start school are twice as likely to be behind and three times less likely to be able to read by third grade.
• The cornerstone of the pre-K curriculum is learning through play. Children will learn early reading, math and science skills through hands-on activities and play.
• Pre-K does more than build children academically. Children develop social and emotional skills to help them thrive as a whole person. Children who attend pre-K have more verbal skills and self-control and can build relationships with other children better than those who do not attend.

• playing in engaging centers that include math, science, reading, writing, fine arts and dramatic play


• learning to recognize numbers and shapes and learning to count


• learning the alphabet and phonics to increase oral language, communication and vocabulary


• mastering letter recognition and working on written expression


• pretending to cook and playing with playdough


• spending one-on-one time with the teacher


• enjoying recess and outside time with friends


• exploring in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) lab


• learning during calendar and weather time


• singing, listening to music and doing drama and plays


• exercising with music


• exploring in outdoor learning environments


• creating through art, such as coloring, painting and more


• learning to use scissors and how to hold a pencil


• beginning writing


• learning how to use technology.

Arlington ISD follows the Texas Education Agency's pre-K Guidelines. Our comprehensive early childhood instructional model is enriched by using a research-based program that integrates instruction across developmental domains and early learning disciplines. Arlington ISD’s pre-K 4 also incorporates an age-appropriate STEM curriculum into each student’s learning.

Arlington ISD's high-quality pre-K instructional framework inspires curiosity and builds confidence and kindergarten readiness. Our early-childhood-certified teachers are committed to providing daily meaningful learning experiences for all students.

Our curriculum meets the needs of all learners, including English language learners and children with special needs, through thoughtfully planned activities for active exploration and differentiated instruction. Students will have fun while developing the following domains:

1. Social and Emotional Development


2. Emergent Literacy: Language and Communication


3. Emergent Literacy: Reading


4. Emergent Literacy: Writing


5. Mathematics


6. Science


7. Social Studies


8. Fine Arts


9. Physical Development


10. Technology

To learn more about the pre-K guidelines, visit the Texas Education Agency's Pre-K website.

The documents considered acceptable for proof of identification and age are:

• Birth certificate;


• Statement of the child's date of birth issued by the division of the Texas Department of State Health Services responsible for vital statistics for school admission purposes;


• Passport;


• School ID card, records or report card;


• Military ID;


• Hospital birth record;


• Adoption records;


• Church baptismal record; or


• Any other legal document that establishes identity and age.

Universal pre-K is approved locally by Arlington ISD. However, state and federal guidelines still require all students to be screened for federal eligibility. A district must verify a student's pre-K eligibility to receive funding for the pre-K program and have any required documentation on file for their records. In order to determine income eligibility, guardians must provide income documentation if the student does not receive SNAP or TANF benefits.

Federal eligibility requires at least one of the following:

• unable to speak and comprehend the English language


• is educationally disadvantaged (eligible to participate in the national school lunch program - guidelines about NSLP eligibility can be found in sections 4 and 6 of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Administrators Reference Manual)


• is homeless, as defined by 42 USC, §11434a, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person having lawful control of the child


• is the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority


• is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty


• is or has ever been in the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (foster care) following an adversary hearing held as provided by Family Code §262.201 or has been in foster care in another state or territory, but currently lives in Texas


• is the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as: a peace officer under Texas Government Code §3106.002, a firefighter under Texas Government Code §3106.003, an emergency medical first responder under Texas Government Code §3106.004

To learn more about eligibility, visit tea.texas.gov/academics/early-childhood-education.

Registration for the current school year, 2025-2026, is open. Online registration begins April 1, 2026, to register for the 2026-2027 school year.

1. Student's birth certificate


2. Photo ID of parent / guardian (driver's license, state or international ID, passport)


3. Proof of address (current gas, water or electricity bill or the lease / mortgage agreement in the name of the parent / guardian)


4. Each of the following documents that apply:
   
   
   
   
   • Proof of Income – Last 30 days for all adults living in the household (paystub, Medicaid, disability, worker comp)
   
   
   • SNAP/TANF benefits letter
   
   
   • Current tax return (if self-employed)
   
   
   • Proof of military service for active duty military parent(s)
   
   
   • Foster care documents
   
   
   • Star of Texas Award certificate or letter
   
   
   
   


5. Immunization Records


6. Social Security Card (if available)

*Any student who has a language other than English listed on his/her Home Language Survey will be contacted by a school district staff member to complete additional qualification steps.

Arlington ISD 4-year-old students must be registered at their home school. Please visit our Search Campus by Address page to learn which campus your address is zoned for.

Transfers will be granted if space is available at the requested school during a transfer window. For more information about transfers, please visit the Arlington ISD transfer website.

Arlington ISD welcomes students who reside outside our district boundaries. However, school enrollment may be limited to space availability. Enrollment priority is given to pre-K students who reside in Arlington ISD's boundaries. Transfers will be granted if space is available at the requested school during an Arlington ISD transfer window. To learn how to transfer into Arlington ISD, please visit aisd.net/transfer.

Four-year-old Arlington ISD students must be registered first at their home campus. Transfers will be granted if space is available at the requested school during an Arlington ISD transfer window. To learn more about transferring, please visit aisd.net/transfer.

All Arlington ISD four-year-old pre-K students attend school from 8:10 a.m. – 3:35 p.m. Monday - Friday. This schedule is called "full-day pre-K."

Transportation is provided to eligible pre-K 4 student riders, preferably with an older eligible sibling. For more eligibility information, please visit the Arlington ISD transportation website.

Pre-K students are offered school meals that comply with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) nutrition guidelines. For students to receive free or reduced-price meals, they will need to:

1. Complete a Meal Benefits Application and be approved for benefits through the National School Lunch Program. Apply here.


2. Be directly certified by the state for meal benefits (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid)  


3. Attend a school operating the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).