What is VPK?
The Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program (VPK) is a no-cost educational program provided by the state for children that live in Florida and are 4 years old by September 1st of that school year.
Why should I put my child in a VPK Program?
Studies demonstrate that children who complete VPK or attend even a portion of VPK are far more prepared to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
What are the benefits of attending VPK with the Alachua County Public School?
- More Hours! A typical school year VPK program will provide 3 hours per day (8am to 11am) for 180 school days for a total of 540 hours. The ACPS VPK Program will provide an entire school day (7:30am-1:30pm Monday-Friday with early release on Wednesdays at 12:30pm).
- Kindergarten Readiness! VPK is a school readiness program that aims at preparing children for kindergarten. By having your child attend their zoned elementary school for VPK they will be more prepared to transition to kindergarten and better understand how their school operates. This will help them become excited about kindergarten and be able to excel in the more structured school environment.
- Multiple Locations! The program is offered in 10 elementary schools across the district for the 2024-2025 school years: Archer, Chiles, Irby, Newberry, Norton, Rawlings, Shell, Talbot, Terwilliger, and Wiles.
- Free to all families! There are no registration or tuition fees with the ACPS VPK Program.
Who is eligible for the ACPS VPK Program?
For the 2023-2024 school year program, children must be 4 years old by September 1st, 2023 and zoned to one of our 11 VPK Schools.
For the 2024-2025 school year program, children must be 4 years old by September 1st, 2024 and zoned to one of our 10 VPK Schools.
For the 2024 summer program, children must be 4 years old by September 1st, 2023, and zoned to any Alachua County Public Schools. There are no zoning restrictions for the summer VPK Program. (Please keep in mind that your child cannot have already used their VPK Certificate of Eligibility (VPK Voucher) for the school year program.) The 2024 Summer VPK Program will be held at Terwilliger and Idylwild Elementary Schools.
When can I apply?
Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is currently open. Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year will open on January 8th 2024. Registration for the 2024 Summer Program will open in Feburary or March of 2024. Spaces are limited. Please apply as soon as possible.
Step 1: Apply for the ACPS VPK Program at: www.tinyurl.com/ACPS-VPK.
Step 2: Apply for your VPK Voucher (Certificate of Eligibility) at: https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com/
Please note, approval for your child's VPK Voucher does not guarantee enrollment in the ACPS VPK Program.
How many hours does the VPK Voucher provide?
The VPK school year program provides 540 hours. The VPK summer program provides 300 hours. By attending VPK with the Alachua County Public Schools, students will receive a full school day instead of just the 3 hour VPK day.
