Preschool

* Community Preschool is a fee-based program - School Readiness, Pathway, and Voluntary PreKindergarten (VPK) Scholarships provide some funding from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). These funds allow our program to provide limited financial assistance (including limited bus spots for prekindergarten children whose parents or guardians are unable to bring them to and/or from school). 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 (letter or statement) 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 (ECSE) - Children 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 Pathway 2 application for Half-Day classes by clicking ENGLISH Application or SPANISH Application. 

RETURN the 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 with completing the forms are available in our office. Call 651-403-8390 to schedule a time. 

* All-Day Preschool Classes may 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 for you. 

Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 who live in School District 197 must 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.

Please provide a copy of your child's Early Childhood Screening summary if it was completed in another school district. 

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

Registration is ongoing until classes are filled. To register for preschool, please Click Here.

PreKindergarten classes serve children who are 4 by September 1. Preschool classes expose children to experiences that promote social skills and enhance learning. Children learn and grow in a structured play-based preschool environment that fosters school-readiness skills in preparation for kindergarten. Children must be age 4 by September 1 and able to use the toilet independently with limited assistance. 

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is ongoing until classes are filled. To register for preschool, please Click Here. 

Summer Preschool at the Early Learning & Family Resource Center

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