At the March 23 board meeting, Dallas ISD’s Board of Trustees approved the full-day Pre-K tuition rate of $5,000 per year, per child ($500 per month) and half-day Pre-K tuition rate of $2,500 per year, per child ($250 per month) for the Pre-K tuition-based program. The tuition-based before and after-care program rate was approved at $1,250 per year, per child.
These tuition-based programs are for three- and four-year-old children not eligible for free Pre-K.
Trustees had previously reduced rates to $4,100 for the 2020-21 school year as a result of the pandemic. The proposed tuition rate of $5,000 for the 2023-24 school year is the same as last year and is still lower than the cost three years ago, which was $5,250.
The tuition rate was determined after considering feedback from the community, estimated marginal costs of enrolling an ineligible child, rates from neighboring districts, and rates at childcare centers in the Dallas area. Balancing the tuition rate with childcare and community–based organizations allows the district not to disrupt quality options for incoming early-learning students.
Tuition-based Pre-K enables Dallas ISD to start building relationships with families who have alternative choices for their child’s early learning and who otherwise would not be able to enroll in the district due to eligibility restrictions.
Dallas ISD, like all districts, has a tuition limit set by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and an approved tuition rate for Pre-K. The current tuition limit set by TEA is $8,031 annually, or $892 per month.
Beginning on April 1, parents can complete their student’s Pre-K registration at their desired campus. Registrations will be reviewed in the order submitted after all eligible Pre-K students have been placed in classrooms following round one enrollment, which runs until May 31. Campuses will notify parents when a child is selected for a tuition spot and then complete a contract.
To learn more about Dallas ISD Pre-K and to register your child, please visit www.dallasisd.org/prek.