The Virginia Preschool Initiative distributes state funds to schools and community-based organizations to provide quality preschool programs for at-risk four-year-olds unserved by the federal Head Start program.

The purpose of the grant is to reduce disparities among young children upon formal school entry and to reduce or eliminate those risk factors that lead to early academic failure.

Colonial Heights Public Schools is pleased to offer a Pre-Kindergarten program for four year old children. The goal of the program is to provide a healthy learning environment for children who may experience factors that place them at risk for poor school performance. Selection of students will be based on student & family needs according to program guidelines for the Virginia Preschool Initiative. Enrollment priority will be given to children with the greatest number of factors that may impact their learning. Factors considered include but are not limited to:

• Income level of the parent/legal guardian

• Education level of the parents

• Child characteristics

• Family stress

• English as a second language

Two classes will be housed at each of the following elementary schools:

• Tussing Elementary School, 5501 Conduit Road

• Lakeview Elementary School, 401 Taswell Avenue

One class will be held at North Elementary School, 3201 Dale Avenue

The five classes will operate on the same calendar and school schedule as the elementary schools. Each class will be limited to 18 students. Children will be placed in their home elementary school as program space allows.

• Mid-March to Late April: Accepting applications for the 4-year-old Pre-K Program. Please see our Live Feed, flyers, and social media posts for the current year's information.

• Early May: Parents/legal guardians will begin being notified about the status of their child being accepted into the program via letter.

• Mid to Late May: All PreK registration forms are due.

• Mid May to Mid June: Your child's home school will schedule appointments with parents/legal guardians to bring in the required documentation to complete the registration process.

To be eligible for the program, children must be legal residents of Colonial Heights and be four years of age by September 30 of the year the child will attend. This is not a first-come, first-served program and is based on various factors that can be viewed on the VDOE's VPI page below. Applications must be filled out completely. Proof of residency and financial information must be attached in order for the applicant to be considered for the program. Families will be required to attend meetings and field trips with their child in this program.