Prekindergarten

• Students who are 3 years old as of September 1st of the school year
• Students who are 4 years old as of September 1st of the school year

PreK spots will be assigned in the priority order listed:                                                        1. Employee Students   
2. Southlake Residents   
3. CISD-zoned Grandparent Resident *Additional Student Transfer Application must be submitted on the Enrollment Dashboard
4. City of Southlake First Responders or Peace Officer 1959  *Additional Student Transfer Application must be submitted on the Enrollment Dashboard
5. Open Enrollment (Resident of Southlake, but zoned to Keller ISD or Northwest ISD or Resident of Westlake) *Additional Student Transfer Application must be submitted on the Enrollment Dashboard 

Additional Residency Details: In order to enroll in the PreK program, families are required to submit documentation confirming their current residency within Southlake or in a residence zoned to CISD. For those in the process of purchasing, constructing, or leasing a property, enrollment in the PreK program will be considered upon relocation to the designated residence, supported by utility bills and either a deed or lease agreement.

Texas state law requires school districts provide free prekindergarten to students who are 4 years old by September 1st AND meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
Eligibility Criteria for Free State-Funded Prekindergarten

• is economically disadvantaged (students eligible to participate in the national free or reduced lunch program), including students who receive SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid benefits; or
• is an English Language Learner/Emergent Bilingual (based on preLAS score); or
• is homeless; or
• is or ever has been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (foster care); or
• is the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States or is the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States who was injured or killed while serving on active duty; or
• is the child of a recipient of the Star of Texas Award

*Students who meet the same criteria as above and are 3 years old by September 1st will pay partial tuition. CISD provides a full day PreK program and receives ½ day funding from the state for 3 year olds who meet State Eligibility. Parents of 3 year old students meeting State Eligibility will pay the supplemental tuition.

The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) provides special education and related services for eligible children with disabilities aged three-five. This program is legally mandated for eligible students beginning on their third birthday, regardless of when the birthday falls during the school year, and ends when the student becomes eligible for kindergarten. These services are determined by the student’s Admission, Review, and Dismissal committee (ARD), based on individual need, and may include walk-in therapy, partial/full day placement in the CISD Blended Prekindergarten Program, and/or placement into a special education setting designed to provide students with foundational skills required to demonstrate success in the general education environment.  Special education services provided through ECSE are offered at no cost to parents. Child Find Information  

If you believe that your child has a disability that requires special education services, please contact: Mary Davis

Carroll ISD follows the Texas Education Agency’s High-Quality Prekindergarten Guidelines. Our comprehensive early childhood instructional model is enriched by using Frog Street Pre-K for the 4 year old classes and Frog Street Threes for our 3 year old classes. Frog Street curriculum is a research-based program that integrates instruction across developmental domains and early learning disciplines. Carroll ISD’s High-Quality Prekindergarten instructional framework inspires curiosity, builds confidence and kindergarten readiness. Our early childhood certified teachers are committed to providing daily meaningful learning experiences to all students, opportunities for active exploration through thoughtfully planned activities and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners, including English Language Learners and children with special needs. 

Texas Education Agency Prekindergarten Guidelines
Frog Street Press Curriculum 
Heggerty Phonics

The Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines focus on the following domains:

• Social and Emotional Development
• Language and Communication
• Emergent Literacy Reading
• Emergent Literacy Writing
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Fine Arts
• Physical Development and Health
• Technology

Texas requires Beginning of the Year (BOY) and End of the Year (EOY) assessments be given to prekindergarten 4 year olds using an assessment tool approved by the Commissioner's List. The five developmental domains required to be assessed in prekindergarten in accordance with 19 TAC §102.1003 (c) (1)

CISD assesses three times a year- Beginning, Middle and End.
In addition to the assessments, 4 year old students also receive report cards each 9 weeks. The 3 year olds receice report cards starting the 2nd 9 weeks.

Areas of Assessment:

• Health and wellness
• Language and communication
• Emergent literacy - reading
• Emergent literacy - writing
• Mathematics

Carroll ISD also offers Tuition-Based Prekindergarten spots.  Tuition-Based spots are limited and are determined on a first come, first served basis, after employee children, Texas Prekindergarten Eligible students and Early Childhood Special Education Students. The Prekindergarten application opens up every Spring and are time/date stamped. Once all spots are filled, applications will stay on the waitlist. A member of the Prekindergarten team will reach out if/when a spot becomes available in the order of time stamp.

Upon accepting a Prekindergarten tuition spot, you must submit payment for the first and last month's tuition. This payment is non-refundable. Staffing decisions are based on the number of enrolling students; therefore, it is essential that families accepting a tuition-based spot are committed to attending the program.

The Texas Education Agency approved tuition rate for CISD for 2025-2026 is $8,670 for the school year. The tuition rate for 2026-2027 is pending approval by TEA. 

*CLICK HERE for more information about tuition-based spots.  

Tuition Acknowledgment and Agreement