Preschool Information
Welcome to USD 262 Valley Center Public Schools Preschool. We are honored to be part of your child’s early learning journey and are committed to providing supportive classrooms where children can learn, explore, and thrive. Below you’ll find important information to guide you through the preschool interest and enrollment process.
Enrolling in preschool!
Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, both Abilene Elementary and West Elementary will offer preschool classrooms. Preschool students will attend the school aligned with the district’s official elementary boundary lines. In some cases, placement at a school outside a family’s home boundary may occur to maintain appropriate class sizes and provide the best support for all students. As a whole, preschool families living east of the boundary line (blue area on map) will attend Abilene Elementary School. Families living west of the boundary line (yellow area on map) will attend West Elementary School.
Learn more about USD 262 Elementary School Boundary guidelines by visiting: https://www.usd262.net/enrollment/elementary-school-boundary-information
Enrolling in preschool is a three-step process:
Step 1: Complete the Preschool Interest Form (located below on this page).
Step 2: Complete the Developmental Screening (also located at the bottom of this page).
Step 3: After Steps 1 and 2 are completed, families will be contacted with instructions to complete enrollment.
If you have any questions during this process, please contact Jana Hogan at Abilene Elementary at 755-7020.
General Information
*Child must be three (3) or four (4) years of age on or before August 31 of the current year and meet at least one at-risk criteria OR have a current Individual Education Plan indicating classroom placement to be eligible for the program.
*Transportation is available for all preschool students.
Class Schedule
Morning Session: 8:25 a.m. - 11:40 a.m.
Afternoon Session: 12:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Classes are Monday through Thursday, no class on Friday.
Qualifications
Criteria for Preschool-Aged At-Risk include:
1. Poverty. The student qualifies for free meals under the National School Lunch Program.
2. Single Parent Families. The custodial parent is unmarried on the first day of school.
3. Kansas Department for Child and Families (DCF) referral. The reason for the referral must describe the need for the child to attend the PreK program and be documented and signed by the DCF agent.
4. Teen Parents. At least one parent was a teenager when this child was born.
5. Either parent is lacking a high school diploma or GED on the first day of school.
6. Limited English Proficiency.
7. Lower than expected developmental progress in at least one of the following areas: cognitive development; physical development; communication/literacy; social emotional/behavior; adaptive behavior/self-help skills.
8. Child qualifying for migrant status.
9. Child experiencing homelessness.
**Valley Center USD 262 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, handicap/disability, or age. Persons having inquiries may contact the school district's ADA and Section 504 Coordinator, 143 S. Meridian Ave., Valley Center, KS, 67147. Telephone 316.755.7000.
To learn more about your child's developmental milestones, click here: Developmental Milestones