Department of Early Learning

Children who turn 4 or 5 on or before September 1^st are eligible with a valid VPK Certificate.

Families apply thorugh the Leon County Schools Parent Portal (FOCUS) during the registration window.

Placements are assigned using a fair lottery process, with priority for: 

1. Families living in the school zone 

2. Siblings currently enrolled 

3. Approved hardships (documentation required) 

Acceptable Hardship Documentation May Include: 

• Court-ordered custody or guardianship documents 

• Documentation of homelessness or transitional housing [insert FIT link] 

• Foster care placement letter 

• Documentation of a parent’s medical condition impacting school placement 

• Safety concerns supported by official documentation (law enforcement, DCF, shelter, etc.) 

• Other extenuating circumstances reviewed case-by-case 

All hardship requests must include written documentation supporting the family’s circumstances. Approval is not guaranteed and is based on district review. 

Lottery results are posted in FOCUS on March 2. Families must accept their seat by March 20. 

Yes. All Title I schools provide full-day VPK at no cost. 
Non–Title I schools offer Wrap Services from 11:30–2:50 for $425/month. 

Yes. Families may qualify for School Readiness tuition assistance through the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend. 

No. Families register for VPK First through the Parent Portal. Schools will provide wrap enrollment details after placement. 

Any LCS Employee registering a child for VPK progams.

No. Staff applications are included in the March 2 lottery along with all other applicants.

Yes. All required documents must be uploaded during registration.

PK students assigned to their home-zone school and PK ESE students whose IEP identifies transportation as a related service. 

No. Familes choosing a non-zoned school must provide their own transportation.

Yes, when required for safety or as specified in the students IEP.

Any child ages 3-5 living in Leon County.

Speech/language and early developmental skills.

No. Screenings and follow up evaluations are free.

Families complete a short questionnaire.

Request Screening 

Specialized instruction and related services for children ages 3-5 who qualify under IDEA.

In the child’s regular Pre-K classroom using a push-in model.

Speech and/or language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and invidualized instruction.

Eligibility is determined by the IEP team based on evaluations and IDEA criteria.

Between 27-33 months old, depending on the child’s needs.

A meeting held 90 days to 9 months before the 3^rd birthday to review options and next steps.

No. A full eligibility evaluation is required before determining services.

If eligible, services begin on the child’s 3^rd birthday or the first day of school (for summer birthdays)

Yes. All LCS elementary schools offer Pre-K; seat availability varies

Families typically upload five required documents, depending on the program type.

Yes. Families rank preferred schools in the Parent Portal.

Department of Early Learning.

Email: earlychildhood@leonschools.net