Coweta County parents wanting to secure a spot for their child in Pre-K classes for the 2014-15 school year will be able to do so at their child’s district school between March 10 and March 21.
During that time, parents can apply for a spot in the limited-space Pre-K classes for the upcoming school year. The Pre-K application period ends at noon on Friday, March 21, and drawing for spots will be held at schools at 1 p.m. on March 21. Parents do not have to be present for the drawing in order for students to be selected into the program.
To apply for a spot in next year’s Pre-K program, parents must visit their child’s districted school and show proof of eligibility to register. Eligibility requirements include the child’s original birth certificate, proof of residency (electric, apartment lease or house contract. Parents may apply only at the school that serves their legal address), the child’s Social Security card and photo identification.
Children must be age 4 on or before Sept. 1 to be eligible for next year’s Pre-Kindergarten. Parents can call 770-254-2820 to inquire about which elementary school district serves their home.
School system spokesman Dean Jackson said unlike other elementary school grades, there are a limited number of Pre-K classes in Coweta schools. If more than 22 students apply for an available Pre-K class, the school must hold a lottery drawing to determine placement in the class. The first 22 students drawn will be awarded a spot in that school’s Pre-K class. The remaining names will be placed in order of draw on a waiting list for that school in case spots in the class open later.
Elementary schools will accept Pre-K applications for eligible students on Monday, March 10 through Friday, March 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All selected students will be notified by the contact information provided on the application.
After the March 21 lottery drawing, parents will be able to formally register their child at the school system’s central registration office located at 167 Werz Industrial Drive. Registration for Pre-K classes will be held on different weeks at the registration center, depending on which elementary school a child will attend.
Early registration for new Kindergarten students will be held separately in May.
Jackson said Coweta County schools have served four-year-olds in Georgia’s Pre-K Program for over 20 years. Each year the school system provides quality age-appropriate instructional services to eligible students with certified teachers and assistants. The program operates on a full day (6.5 hours), weekday schedule to include instructional activities and learning experiences in the areas of language/literacy, math, art, science, social studies and creative expressions.
Coweta County’s Pre-K programs serve approximately 550 four-year-olds each year. The program provides a full school day of age-appropriate instructional services to students with a language-rich environment using the High Scope Curriculum which emphasizes a child-centered learning environment.
All teachers are certified with a least a four-year degree in Early Childhood Education. Teachers provide instructional activities and learning experiences in the areas of language/literacy, math, art, science, social studies and creative expressions. Each Pre-K class features a lead certified teacher and an assistant.
For more information on the Pre-K program, please visit the school system’s website at www. cowetaschools.org or call the Pre-K office at 404-254-2800.
