A child must be four years old by September 1, 2021.

The PPSD Early Childhood Education Center Pre-K Program is limited to serving 120 students in the 2021-2022 school year.

Applying does not guarantee acceptance.  However, it is important for parents to place their child’s name on the waiting list by March 12, 2021.  Names taken after March 12, 2021 will be placed on a second waiting list. 

The ECEC Pre-K Program is funded with Federal Programs Title I funds.  To determine eligibility for the program, each child must be screened.  Children who demonstrate a need for a preschool program are placed in the program first.

Certified teachers screen all children at Pearl ECEC using the Brigance Early Childhood Screener for 4 Year Olds.  This developmental screener provides a useful snapshot of a child’s development at a particular point in time.  The screener addresses the domains of Physical Development, Language Development, Academic Skill/Cognitive Development, and Self-help and Social-Emotional Skills.

On screening day, parents/ guardians need to bring their child to the ECEC, along with the following documents:

• Child’s certified birth certificate
• Child’s social security card
• A copy of legal custody papers (if the parent is divorced)
• Guardianship documents (if the child is not living with parent)

The parent/guardian will check-in and provide the documents listed above.   While a certified teacher screens the child, the parent/guardian will stay in the lobby.  The screening takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. 

Notifications will be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service by May 28, 2021. 

If your child has been screened and you do not receive a notification by June 4, 2021, please contact the ECEC office at 601-933-2461.

Yes.  Pearl ECEC’s Pre-K Program maintains a waiting list throughout the school year and fills slots as they become available.

No.  The Pearl Public School District does not offer tuition-based Pre-K.

Each year children must qualify for the Pre-K Program.  Having a sibling previously participate in the program is not a qualifying component.

No.  You must live within the Pearl Public School District at the time of requesting enrollment in the Pre-K Program to qualify.

No.  Only four-year-old children may participate in the Pearl Early Childhood Education Center Pre-K Program.

In order to be eligible for our Pre-K Program, students must be four-years-old by September 1, 2021.

Our Pre-K program follows the Mississippi Early Learning Guidelines for Four-Year-Olds.  Our educational approach, using Opening the World of Learning (OWL) curriculum resources, addresses Mississippi Pre-K content standards in seven domain areas:  Language and Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, Creative, Social and Emotional, and Health and Physical Development.  Our Pre-K program activities are designed to reach students at their own developmental level and provide them with the necessary building blocks for future learning experiences.  Our learning opportunities facilitate every child’s natural curiosity and eagerness to learn.

Our Pre-K program is a full-day program. 

No, bus transportation is not provided.  It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to transport their child to/from school daily.

Yes.  Pirate Care is an afterschool program for students.  Pirate Care is available for Pre-K students at ECEC.  Space is limited.  There is a registration fee and tuition fee to attend Pirate Care.  Please contact the Pirate Care Director, Joan Ishee, at 601-933-9004 or email jishee@pearlk12.com for more information.