The School District of Lee County has grown its Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program into Cape Coral for the 2026-2027 school year. This state-funded, free three-hour weekday early learning program prepares 4-year-olds for kindergarten.
Seventeen schools now host the program, including Gulf Elementary, Skyline Elementary, Amanecer Elementary, Early Childhood Center, and Franklin Park Elementary. Cape Coral gained four new VPK classrooms through this growth.
The district stretched its VPK into a full-day program by adding three extra hours at no cost. It mirrors elementary school instructional hours and follows the same calendar.
Dr. Bethany Quisenberry directs Early Childhood Learning for the School District. She says VPK matters because it builds kindergarten readiness skills. The Florida Department of Education reports that 90% of a child’s brain develops by age 5.
Kids who skip VPK face a 75% chance of never catching up to grade standards, according to Quisenberry.
“It’s the strongest predictor of later achievement – a huge impact on your third-grade scores and high school graduation,” said Quisenberry, according to Cape Coral Breeze.
Demand far outstrips available spots. The district maintains a waitlist with 350 students that grows to 600 by January and February.
Each classroom caps enrollment at 18 students. An early childhood certified teacher and a paraprofessional run things. Kids begin their day with a family-style breakfast to discuss nutrition and their food choices.
The program offers a reading block using songs while teaching foundational skills. Instructional centers provide 45-minute play-based learning. There’s an art area and play area, plus math centers. Students also get nap time and can receive services like speech therapy when required.
Parents enroll their students in January, when kindergarten open enrollment happens. Seats are claimed first-come, first-served basis and disappear quickly. Students must turn 4 by Sept. 1 to qualify.