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School Readiness

MSCS Pre-K students learning together
Hands-on classroom activity
Joyful Pre-K classroom moment
Pre-K student engagement
Creative learning in action
Reading time in Pre-K

school readiness

The Tennessee Department of Education emphasizes that children will only be ready to succeed in school when families, communities, and schools work together on their behalf throughout the early childhood years.  Our program prepares children for school through the use of the Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN-ELDS), which includes the following areas:

  • Approaches to Learning
  • Social and Personal Competencies
  • English Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Creative Arts
  • Physical Development

Families are engaged in their children’s learning and development and are poised to support the lifelong success of their child.  We recognize that parents are their children’s primary teachers and advocates.

Pre-K Application & Qualifications

Pre-K screening team member assisting a family

Pre-K Eligibility

  • Age for Pre-K: MSCS Pre-K is open to children in Shelby County who turn 3 or 4 years old by August 15th.
  • Eligibility: Priority is given to students who meet Federal Poverty Guidelines and who are categorically eligible:( SNAP, TANF, child receives SSI or if child is in foster care.) Priority is given to 4-year-olds. 3-year-olds may be accepted after the first 30 days of school depending upon availability.
  • Wait List: Students on the wait list will be considered if space is available.
  • Have questions? Call (901) 416-3450 or email prekregistration@scsk12.org.
Pre-K team member helping with application paperwork

Application Checklist & Requirements

  • Required Documents: Review the list of required documents for the eligibility interview on the flyers below. Documents can be uploaded to the parent portal or you may bring them to the eligibility interview and a member of our team will assist.
  • Acceptance: Emails will be sent to parents once the eligibility interview is completed as to the next steps in the registration process. Once all components of the registration process are completed, parents whose children meet the eligibility criteria will be sent an email to notify acceptance into the program. Parents whose children are not eligible will also be sent an email.
  • Orientation: Parents of accepted students must attend the mandatory orientation before the child can begin attending class. The classroom teacher will contact the parent for orientation at the beginning of the school year.
  • Apply: Submit one online application per household even if registering for multiple children. Once you have submitted the application, check your email for an email from GoEngage to verify your email address and to activate your Parent portal account. This must be done within 24 hours of application submission. This step is important as all correspondence will be sent through GoEngage.
  • Eligibility Interview: Once the application has been submitted, please use this link to schedule an eligibility interview. The required documents must be uploaded to your parent portal and brought to the eligibility interview. Interviews will be held in-person at various locations across the city.
  • FAQs: 2025-26 Application FAQs
Pre-K Flyer English
Pre-K Flyer (English)
View / Download PDF
Pre-K Flyer Spanish
Pre-K Flyer (Spanish)
Ver / Descargar PDF

Begin the Journey to College and Career Readiness!

Memphis-Shelby County Schools
160 Glenn Rogers Sr.
Memphis, TN 38112
(901) 416-5300

Memphis-Shelby County Schools Logo

Greatness Grows Here!

Memphis-Shelby County Schools offers educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, creed, age, disability, national origin, or genetic information.

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