While most students and teachers are counting the days to summer break, many parents of Georgia 4-year-olds are thinking of next school year and how to secure a spot for their child in a state-funded prekindergarten program.
There are almost always waiting lists, said Theresa McKamey, resource coordinator for Catoosa County Schools.
“We have 180 slots, in nine classes at six different schools,” Ms. McKamey said. “And it looks like we have 380 (applicants).”
Registration for pre-k ended this week in some North Georgia school districts like Catoosa and Whitfield counties.
Audrey Williams, director of curriculum improvement for Whitfield Schools, said, “We have 100 slots and we will have a drawing on April 10 at 1 p.m. at each of our five locations. At that time, we will pull 10 boys’ names and 10 girls’ names for each class.”
Application for Dalton City Schools ended Wednesday, according to school spokeswoman Deana Farmer. The district has 20 classes, for 220 students, and has applied to state for five more classes, Ms. Farmer said.
Registration is continuing in some other school districts.
Georgia pre-k classes are located at both public and private schools in limited numbers.
The private providers, who offer free, state-funded classes, usually fill their slots on a first-come, first-served basis, area pre-k providers said.
Most public school systems use a lottery drawing method to award the limited number of pre-k slots, area educators said.
Some districts, such as Dade County Schools, do not. Dade takes applications until slots are filled and then puts names on a waiting list.
Georgia has provided free, early childhood education since 1993, using money from the Georgia lottery to cover the costs. Allowing private child care centers to provide state-approved and funded pre-k programs has helped the state reach more children, according to Todd Blandin, spokesman for the state’s Bright From the State Department, which oversees pre-k programs.
Funding for Georgia’s nearly 80,000 pre-k seats increased by $16 million, from $309 million to $325 million for the 2008-09 school year, Mr. Blandin said.
What it means
To register for prekindergarten classes in North Georgia schools, parents or guardians must bring proof of Georgia residency, such as a utility bill or driver’s license, and proof the child is age eligible. That could be a birth certificate, passport, hospital record of live birth, green card, pink card or Federal I-94 card. The school district can provide the location of the nearest school.
ON THE WEB
To locate a private business that provides Georgia lottery-funded prekindergarten programs, visit the state’s Bright from the Start department at www.decal.state.ga.us/.
