• Pre-Kindergarten Program

    CCSD Pre-K Program Philosophy

    The Clarke County School District (CCSD) Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Program is based on the philosophy that parents are their child's first and most important teacher. The Pre-K staff is committed to working in partnership with parents and the community to enhance the educational opportunities available to students. We believe children learn best in classrooms where structured, age-appropriate, hands-on lessons are provided, as well as activities that embrace cultural and individual differences. The CCSD Pre-K Program uses standards-based instruction that emphasizes growth in language and literacy, math, science, art, music, and physical and social development. We believe children reach their fullest potential when home and school work together toward common goals.

    CCSD Pre-K Program Goals

    • To provide a positive beginning school experience and encourage children to become life-long learners
    • To develop higher-order thinking by encouraging independent, critical, and creative inquiry  
    • To expose students to a wide variety of educational experiences, familiarizing them with instructional language and strengthening their connections between educational concepts
    • To teach children to value, accept and understand differences
    • To enhance the nurturing relationship between children and their parents/caregivers
    • To facilitate connections between families and schools by providing the information needed to support student learning
    • To increase parent/caregiver knowledge of age-appropriate educational practices that address child development.

     

    Overview

    The Clarke County School District's (CCSD) Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) Program serves 830 four-year-old children and their families. We emphasize developing the potential of 4-year-olds through a well-rounded instructional program. This year we will begin our 28th year of Pre-K in Clarke County. 

    A certified teacher and paraprofessional serve each class of 22 children. The CCSD Pre-K staff participates in professional learning sessions to stay abreast of current educational theory and the latest research with regard to best practices in early learning. Head Start teacher credentials meet requirements under the Head Start Act and Performance Standards.

    The CCSD Pre-K program is funded through the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). Operating procedures and curriculum guidelines are mandated through its Bright from the Start (BFTS) office. Two Pre-K classrooms blended with Head Start funding follow additional operating procedures and curriculum regulations mandated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

     

    Requirements for Entrance

    Any child who resides in Clarke County and is four years old on or before September 1 of the current year is eligible to register for Pre-K. After a complete application is submitted to the Clarke County School District Student Registration Center (PIC), parents will receive written notification about the child’s school assignment. Pre-K enrollment is part of the Clarke County School District’s student assignment system. There are 830 spaces available. Students are placed on a waiting list after the allotted spaces have been filled at their zoned school.

     

    Pre-K Registration