Preparing Children for Kindergarten and a Lifetime of Learning
Your child's first experiences in school should be fun, memorable, and most importantly, serve as a solid foundation for the rest of their academic journey.
According to the Florida Department of Education, students who attend Pre-Kindergarten (also known as Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten, or VPK, in Florida):
Will be more prepared for kindergarten
Have better attendance
Develop important life-long social skills
Are more likely to be promoted to the next grade and to graduate high school
Students who attend Pre-Kindergarten in Duval County Public Schools receive a high-quality education within the safe, nurturing environments of our elementary schools.Spots are limited –– register your child today for Pre-Kindergarten in Duval County Public Schools!
Registering for VPK in Duval County
Looking to enroll your child in one of our Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs? We have two processes, depending on whether you enroll during the standard VPK application window (Jan. 1– Feb. 28) or during the late enrollment period.
We've broken down the steps below:
VPK Contacts
Parents with questions about the process can reach out to the phone numbers listed below:
District VPK Office
904-630-6790
Early Learning Coalition Office
904-208-2044
Reasons to Choose Pre-Kindergarten in Duval County Public Schools
100% Certified Teachers
Our teachers receive continuous professional development and access to the latest research.
Art, Music, PE & Recess
We prioritize all of these activities for our students, ensuring a whole-child educational experience.
Exposure to Technology
Our students are using computers in the classroom and being exposed to STEM concepts like coding and robotics.
Kindergarten Ready
Students are assessed for kindergarten readiness year-round, with parents receiving reports detailing strengths and weaknesses.
46 In-School Programs
We have 45 programs in our district elementary schools, and one located at the Museum of Science and History (MOSH).
Free Breakfast and Lunch
Students enjoy free, nutritious meals prepared by our food service provider and following USDA guidelines.
We Welcome Students with Disabilities
We reserve seats in our Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs for students with disabilities in select Title I and Non-Title I schools. Our Exceptional Education and Student Services (EE/SS) department places students in those seats. Contact the EE/SS Department to learn more.
Free and Affordable Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Programs
VPK programs in Title I schools – which is the majority of our programs – are free to families. VPK in a Non-Title I school is free for the first three hours of instruction. Parents will pay $300/month for a full day.
A Typical Day in a VPK Classroom
When parents send their students to Voluntary Pre-Kindergaraten at one of our schools, they can be confident in our decades of experience in teaching key academic concepts through engaging, age-appropriate methods.
Our students are being taught in small classrooms that are conducive to personalized instruction. This means class sizes of no more than 11 students with one lead instructor, or up to 20 students with one lead instructor and an assistant.
All of this takes place in safe schools with security measures such as an armed safe-school officer, secured entry, lighting, fencing, and radios. Additionally, visitors are required to be buzzed in and screened through their IDs.
Students will receive instruction in academic areas such as:
Early literacy
Numeracy
Science
Social studies
Health
STEM
VPK students will participate in a variety of activities:
Structured play
Recess
Art
Music
Physical education
Rest times
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks
...and more
Frequently Asked Questions: Pre-Kindergarten in Duval County
How do you register for VPK in Duval County?
Once your child meets the preliminary eligibility requirements outlined above (age 4 before Sept. 1, and obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility from the ELC), our district's Early Learning Department will work with you to verify documentation and proceed to enrollment.
Can a 3-year-old start VPK?
No. State statute requires students to be age 4 before Sept. 1 of the year they wish to enroll. However, your child may be eligible to participate in one of our district's Head Start or Early Head Start programs in partnership with Lutheran Services Florida.
For more questions about Head Start, contact Lutheran Services
904-463-9209
Will my student automatically transition into the kindergarten program from VPK?
Duval County Public Schools Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten students will automatically be enrolled in kindergarten programs at their neighborhood schools. Parents who want their students to attend kindergarten in a school other than their neighborhood school will have to apply using the district's School Choice process during the application window (Dec. 1 - Jan. 31).
How many hours a day is Pre-Kindergarten in Duval County Public Schools?
Our programs are as long as a regular school day, which is about six-and-a-half hours Monday through Friday.
How much do your programs cost?
VPK programs in Title I schools – which is the majority of our programs – are free to parents. VPK in a Non-Title I school is free for the first three hours of instruction. Parents will pay $300/month for a full day.
Are there Pre-Kindergarten programs offered during the summer?
Yes! We offer Summer VPK programs in our schools. These programs are open to students who will be entering kindergarten in the fall and did not participate in a program requiring a Certificate of Eligibility. You can read more on our Summer VPK page.
