Preschool

* Community Preschool is a fee-based program - School Readiness and Pathway Scholarship funding from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) allows our program to provide limited financial assistance (including very limited busing for children who qualify) in our preschool program. Families must complete an application, provide *proof of income, and meet one or more of the eligibility requirements below to be considered for a scholarship. 

• Qualifies for free or reduced-price school lunch* - No proof is needed if your family qualified in School District 197 (an approval letter is required if from another school district) or automatic qualification applies when approved for some other public assistance programs such as Medical Assistance, MN Care, SNAP, Minnesota Family Investment Plan (MFIP) - *Proof of income (W-2 or 2 most recent pay stubs, tax return) or proof of participation in one of the programs above is required each school year.

• Children who are English language learners - Children who are homeless or in foster care - Qualify for early childhood special education - Identified through Early Childhood Screening with a potential risk factor that may influence learning 

* If you believe you qualify for a scholarship and/or bus transportation, please complete a class information  ENGLISH Form or SPANISH Form AND a Pathway 2 application for Half-Day classes by clicking ENGLISH or SPANISH. 

RETURN the FORM and APPLICATION to the Early Learning Office at: preschool@isd197.org or fax to 651-403-8310. Or drop off documents in our office at 1970 Christensen Ave, West St. Paul, MN 55118. Applications and assistance filling out the forms are available in our office at the address above. 

* All-Day Preschool Classes require a Pathway 1  Scholarship through MDE to cover tuition for those who qualify. CLICK HERE to review eligibility requirements, apply online, or print a Pathway 1 application. Applications are also available in the Early Learning Office. Mail the completed application as indicated in the instructions or drop it off in the Early Learning Office, and we will mail it.

Preschoolers between the ages of 3 and 5 years who live in School District 197 need to participate in screening before entering Preschool or Kindergarten. Earlier is better! Please schedule the screening any time after your child's 3rd birthday. Click here for more information on screening.

ThreeSchool is for children who are 3 by September 1. The focus is on social skills, exposure to a variety of learning materials, and increasing language skills. To attend preschool, children must be 3 by September 1 and able to use the toilet independently. 

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year begins on February 14th and is ongoing until classes are filled. To register for preschool, please Click Here.

PreKindergarten classes are for children who are 4 by September 1. These classes expose children to various experiences that promote social skills and enhance learning. Children learn and grow in a structured Preschool environment that fosters school-readiness skills that prepare for kindergarten. Children must be age 4 by September 1 and can use the toilet independently to attend preschool. 

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year begins on February 14th and is ongoing until classes are filled. To register for preschool, please Click Here. 

School Supplies

• 1 Backpack, non-rolling and large enough to hold a 2 pocket folder,
• 1 Pack Crayola Washable Markers
• 1 Pack Expo Dry Erase Markers 
• 1 Pack jumbo or small disappearing Purple Glue Sticks
• 1 box (24) color crayons
• 1 bottle washable school glue
• 1 Tray 8 Watercolor Paints
• 1 box Tissues
• An extra set of clothing to stay in their backpack if needed.

~ Please label your child’s backpack with their first name or initial and last name ~

Material escolar

• 1 Mochila, sin ruedas y lo suficientemente grande para contener una carpeta de 2 bolsillos.
• 1 paquete de rotuladores (marcadores) lavables Crayola.
• 1 paquete de rotuladores (marcadores) Expo de borrado en seco.
• 1 Paquete de barras de pegamento púrpura jumbo o pequeñas.
• 1 caja (24) de lápices de colores.
• 1 frasco de pegamento escolar lavable.
• 1 bandeja 8 pinturas acuarelas.
• 1 caja de pañuelos de papel.
• Un conjunto extra de ropa para guardar en su mochila si es necesario.

~ Por favor, etiquete la mochila de su estudiante con su nombre o inicial y apellido.

Summer Preschool at the Early Learning & Family Resource Center

Preschool Pals - Children who will be age 4 or 5 by September 1, 2024 

4 weeks ~ 9:00-11:30 ~ Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday ~ July 9-August 1

• Open to all preschool children who will be age 4 and up by September 1

Registration for SUMMER PRESCHOOL begins on February 14!