The Pre-Kindergarten Program is funded by the Georgia State Lottery and is considered to be one of the finest educational programs in the nation. The school system currently serves over 2,200 four year olds each year. However, there are always more children seeking spaces in Pre-K than there are seats available, and for that reason the school district uses a lottery process as the fairest method of filling classes. Every elementary school in the DeKalb County School District, except for Kittredge Magnet School, has at least one Pre-K class. Each class has a maximum class size of 22 children.

It is important to be aware that the Pre-Kindergarten Program is an annual grant which must be approved with adequate funding from the state legislature in order for the program to continue. Participation in the spring lottery and student selection for a fall class in the spring lottery does not guarantee that the program will continue for the upcoming school year.

Pre-K registration for possible participation in 2015-2016 Pre-K program will take place on Friday, April 17, 2015. Parents must register at their home school between the hours of 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM. Children MUST turn 4 years old on or before September 1 to be age-eligible for the program. Children turning 5 years old on or before September 1 are age-eligible for Kindergarten. Parents should contact the local school to determine when Kindergarten registration will be held. Parents of students age-eligible for Kindergarten with an IEP or 504 plan may elect to have their child participate in the Pre-Kindergarten program should Pre-K better meet the needs of the child as outlined in the IEP or 504 plan and placed into a collaborative Pre-K lottery class by the IEP or 504 committee.

Parents will need to bring the following documents in order to be eligible to participate in the lottery process:

• original certified birth certificate
• proof of residency (electric, gas or water bill, apartment lease or house contract) Parents may only register at the school that serves their legal address
• child's Social Security Number
• photo identification

A lottery drawing will take place at each school on Friday, April 17, 2015 No applications will be accepted before 8:30 AM or after 1:00 PM. All children not chosen will be placed in a waiting pool until spaces become available. Schools continue to accept applications for the waiting pool after the lottery utilization, if and when space becomes available in the class.