Dallas ISD trustees have approved a slight tuition increase – from $4,100 to $5,000 per year per child – for 3- and 4-year-old children who are not eligible to receive free tuition for the district’s Pre-K program. In addition, the rate for before- and after-care tuition will be $1,250 per year per child for students not eligible for free tuition.
Tuition-based Pre-K enables Dallas ISD to start building relationships with families who have alternative choices for Pre-K and who otherwise would not be able to enroll in the district due to Pre-K eligibility restrictions. The tuition-based Pre-K program is only available when all eligible students who have applied for free Pre-K in Round One are enrolled or have been offered enrollment, and will only be made available on designated campuses based on specific criteria.
Pre-K students whose families pay tuition will be served at 45 select campuses in the district.
The tuition rate takes into account feedback from the community, the estimated marginal costs of enrolling an ineligible child, tuition rates charged by comparable districts in Texas, and tuition rates charged by Dallas child care centers.
Dallas ISD Pre-K is still free for 3- or 4-year-olds who meet at least ONE of the following requirements:
- Economically disadvantaged
- English Language Learner
- Homeless
- Foster care (currently or formerly)
- Child of an active member of the armed forces or a member of the armed forces killed/injured during active duty.
- Child of a Star of Texas Award recipient
Students who do not qualify based on the criteria listed above may qualify for a Pre-K scholarship.
For more information, visit www.prekdallas.org, join the Discover Pre-K virtual webinars, or contact our Pre-K Hotline at (214) 932-7735.
