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    Northampton County Schools Pre-Kindergarten Program

     

    Northampton County Schools Pre-Kindergarten Program is available for qualified 4-year old children.  Our experienced staff offers learning experiences students need to help them succeed in Kindergarten.  NCS Pre-Kindergarten Program helps prepare students for school by providing opportunities to develop school readiness skills in an environment that fosters the love and joy of learning.  

    To be considered for Northampton County Schools Pre-Kindergarten Program the child must meet the following criteria.  The child must be four years old on or before August 31st of the program year and the parents/guardians must be residents of Northampton County.  A child that meets the age requirement is eligible for Pre-K if the child is from a family whose gross income is at or below 75% of the State Median Income (SMI).  In addition, up to 20% of age-eligible children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of 75% SMI if they have documented risk factors in specific categories including developmental disability, Limited English Proficiency, educational need, or chronic health condition.    

    Students who qualify for Pre-K are not guaranteed placement.   Placement is based on available seating in the Pre-K classroom. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered until it is corrected.  Completed applications are due by June 20th.  Completed applications received after June 20th will be considered; however, the student’s start date in school may be delayed.

    Funding for NCS Pre-K comes from the North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten program, Title 1, and the Exceptional Children Program.    

    A child who has a documented disability may apply for admission in Pre-k as early as age 3.  A parent of a child who is suspected of having a disability may contact our Whole Child/Exceptional Children Department for more information at (252) 532-1371.  Qualifying disabilities include developmental delays, speech and language, visual impairments such as blindness, and other health impairments.


    Application Process and Requirements

    Complete the application online at www.northampton.k12.nc.us under the Find It Fast section on the District’s main page.  You can also pick up a paper copy of the application at Central Elementary School, Gaston STEM Leadership Academy - Pre-K Center (the old Squire building), Willis Hare Elementary School, or at Northampton County Schools’ Central Office located at 701 N. Church, Jackson, NC.  When completing the application, you will need to submit the following items:  

    • The child’s official birth certificate
    • Proof of Address (must be from a lease, mortgage document, utility bill, or bank statement.  Must contain the parent's name.   If living with someone, complete the residency form found on the Prekindergarten page on our website.)
    • Guardianship papers, if applicable.
    • Immunization records
    • Proof of Income - Proof of income includes employment income, social security, disability income, unemployment,  alimony, child support, workman’s compensation, and retirement/disability benefit income.   
      • Proof of income can be done with one or more of the following
        • Must reflect the employee’s most recent pay periods - Income Verification/Documentation, 
          • Weekly – submit 4 consecutive pay stubs 
          • Bi-weekly - submit 2 consecutive pay stubs 
          • Monthly - submit at least 1 full month’s pay stub 
        • Tax Records • W-2’s  or Income Tax Record 
        • 1040-Adjusted Gross line 7 or 1099
        • Complete the Zero Income Statement or a complete No Documentation of Income form  
          • Award letters from the Social Security Administration
          • Award letters from the Employment Security Commission
          • Employer written statements
          • Parent/Guardians receiving public assistance (Family size of 8 or less) will not need to
            provide income information list above.Your Public Assistance enrollment/award letters (less than 12months old from date of application)
            will satisfy income requirements. (examples: WIC, Public Housing, TANF/Work First, Medicaid, SSI,
            Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps), SNAP). 

    If completing the application online, you will be able to upload all required documents.  You will not be able to go back in and upload documents once the application is submitted.  Any missing documents will need to be brought to the Central Office in Jackson within 5 days of submitting your application.   If you are turning in a paper application, return that application to the elementary school’s secretary with the required documentation.   Be sure the application is complete with all the required documents.   

    Once you have submitted your completed application, the Pre-K department will review and process your application.   Someone will contact you regarding your application status.

    If the application is turned in by or on June 20th, you will receive notification of a Pre-K assessment date.   

    On or by July 15th, acceptance notifications will be mailed.  

    Applications that are incomplete will not be considered until it was completed. 

    Applications submitted after the June 20th due date will be considered as soon as possible.  

     

    Pre–Kindergarten Schools Location

    • Central Elementary School

    • Gaston STEM Leadership Academy Pre-Kindergarten Center

    • Woodland CADA Center (Contract agencies)