VPK:  Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) is a free educational program funded by the state of Florida for four-year-olds. Studies show that children who attend VPK are more likely to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

To be eligible, students must turn 4 by September 1st of the school year during which they want to attend VPK and be zoned for an ACPS school.  More information about the program and how to apply is available at www.sbac.edu/vpk.

PreK ESE:  The PreK Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program provides specialized services for children ages 3-5 who are experiencing developmental delays, which may appear as difficulty with speaking, hearing, seeing, walking or behavior.

To have their child evaluated for the PreK ESE program, parents should contact the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources Center (FDLRS) at 1-800-533-0326 or visit https://springs.fdlrs.org and complete the FDLRS screening form. If appropriate, the child will be evaluated by the district's PreK ESE team to determine the child's eligibility for services. For assistance, contact (352) 955-7671.

HIPPY: The  Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is a free home visiting program designed to promote a child's success by supporting their parents in their role as the child's first and most important teacher. The program serves parents of children ages 2-5. HIPPY staff meet with parents for 45 minutes each week for 30 weeks to provide training and materials. Parents also network with other parents through the HIPPY program. More information is available at www.sbac.edu/HIPPY.