Tuition-Based Pre-K
Tuition-Based Pre-Kindergarten is a full-day program. We have limited tuition spots at each campus. Placement is initially determined through a lottery system.
Lottery Opens April 2025
Program Information
Northwest ISD offers tuition-based, full-day Pre-Kindergarten for children who:
- Are 4-years-old on or before September 1, 2025
- Live within the Northwest ISD boundaries and
- Do not qualify for free, state-funded Pre-K or Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Tuition-Based Pre-Kindergarten is a full day program. We have limited tuition spots at each campus. Placement is initially determined through a lottery system. See below for more information.
A non-refundable registration fee of $125 is required upon acceptance into the tuition program.
Tuition-Based Lottery
2025-2026 Information Coming Soon!
- The tuition-based Pre-K lottery is an online process only.
- No late lottery entries will be accepted after the lottery deadline closes.
- If you believe you may qualify for state-funded Pre-K, do not apply for the lottery. Complete regular registration first. If you do not qualify for state-funded Pre-K, you can apply for the lottery.
- Notification of tuition spots will take place.
AFTER THE LOTTERY IS DRAWN
- Parents will be notified of lottery results by e-mail within 72 hours of the drawing.
- Those drawn must reply to accept or decline the registration.
- Those not chosen in the lottery will be placed on a waitlist in the order drawn and contacted if space becomes available.
- Those accepting the opportunity to register will be sent instructions for paying the non-refundable registration fee of $125 required to hold your place in the tuition program and parent agreement.
- Registration must be completed. Complete registration includes completing the online registration form, uploading or turning in all documents at the campus, paying the $125 non-refundable registration fee, and returning the signed Parent Agreement for Tuition-Based Pre-K.
- Incomplete registrations are considered forfeit and will be given to the next person on the waitlist.
Online Payment Information
Northwest ISD utilizes an online payment system designed to streamline payments for school activities. You may use it to pay for many school expenses including: Pre-K tuition, field trips, libraries, and other activities. New items will appear as they become available.
You will log in using the parent Home Access Center (HAC) account username/password. Make sure you go to the link for InTouch to pay your tuition. A direct link is included below.
If you do not know your HAC username/password combination, please contact your respective campus to have your account created and activated. The first thing most people do is change the password. If you change your password, it may take up to 24 hours to update. It is better to use the password given to make your first payment and then change the password.
NOTE: If you have more than one child in Northwest ISD, please contact your campus Registrar. They will be able to “link” multiple children to the same account. This will allow you to have a one-stop-online-shop to take care of all of your children’s needs.
- You can pay your tuition at the campus with check, cash, cashier’s check, debit or credit card (Visa, Discover, MasterCard).
- You can pay online with your debit or credit card (Visa, Discover, MasterCard).
- Any automatic payments from your bank or charge account must be received by the payment due date. We are not responsible for payments that are scheduled and do not reach us by the correct date.
Payment Schedule
Additional Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the age qualification for Prekindergarten?
To attend Prekindergarten children must be four-years-old by September 1st of the school year in which they are applying. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
Can my 3-year-old attend PreKindergarten?
No. Children who are three-years-old on September 1st are not eligible to attend PreKindergarten.
Where are Pre-K classes located?
Please go to the webpage Schools With Prekindergarten Classes for this information.
Can I attend any campus that has Pre-K?
Students attend Pre-K at the campus within their attendance zone. If the Pre-K at your elementary home campus is full, your child will attend the next closest Pre-K campus.
What are the times for Prekindergarten?
Prekindergarten is a five-day-a-week program. The full day schedule is 7:40 a.m.-3:05 p.m.
Is there a school supply list for Prekindergarten?
Yes, there are designated supplies for Prekindergarten. If you have any questions about school supplies please contact your child's teacher or the school they will attend.
Is transportation available?
Prekindergarten students living in the attendance zone of the school they are attending and living outside a two mile radius of the school may ride the bus to school.
Does attendance really count in Pre-K?
Yes, it does. To receive the full benefit of the Prekindergarten program your child needs to be here every day for their class. Once you have enrolled your child in school they are expected to attend and fall under Compulsory Attendance Law. Refer to the link below to access the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct regarding state and district attendance laws and policies.
Registration
When do we register?
Kindergarten and Prekindergarten Round-Up will be held in the spring for the next school year. Families can register this week or any time through the end of the school year. Families can also qualify and register during new student registration in August.
We don't live in Northwest ISD. Can we transfer from another district?
No. We do not take out of district transfers.
We will be out of town during Pre-Kindergarten registration. Can I still register?
Yes. Pre-Kindergarten registration continues through the end of the school year. Families can also qualify and register during new student registration in August.
Does my child need to attend registration?
If you are qualifying for the English as a Second Language (ESL) program there will be an English language assessment in order to qualify. Your child will need to at that appointment.
What if I do not have the necessary paperwork?
Please refer to the parent checklist page. All information is required. If all paperwork is not complete we cannot complete the registration process and place your child in a class.
Immunization Requirements
4 year olds (Pre-K)
- 4 doses of DPT/DTaP/DT/TdaP/Td
- 3 doses Polio
- 1 dose MMR received on or after the 1st birthday*
- 3 doses Hib (one of which must be on or after 12 months) or 1 dose Hib after 15 months of age
- 2 doses Hepatitis A
- 3 doses Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (Prevnar, PCV7) - 4 doses given in infancy with one dose after age 1, or 2 doses if given between 12-24 months, or 1 dose if given after 24 months
- 1 dose Varicella (if child has not had chickenpox) *
*Doses given up to (and including) 4 days before the birthday will meet the requirements for school entry.
Exclusions from compliance are allowable on an individual basis as specified in Texas Education Code 2.09, Chapter 97. For further information, contact the school nurse.
Immunizations must be up to date in order for registration to be complete.
Please make sure your child's immunizations are up to date before coming to registration.
We are unable to complete your child's registration and place them in a class if immunizations are not up to date.
Planning ahead:
Prior to the start of Kindergarten or the age of 5 whichever comes first, each child is required to have another DTaP (#5), Polio (#4), MMR (#2), and Varicella (#2).
Pre-Kindergarten Class Schedules
On early release days, or in the event of an inclement weather delay, a modified schedule insures that Prekindergarten students have the opportunity to participate in the school day for the appropriate time as designated by the state.
Full Day Pre-K
- Regular School Day 7:40 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
- Early Release Day 7:40 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.