TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Leon County Schools says the goal of the new VPK registration process is to simplify it for parents and set kids up for success.<\/p>\n
For the first time, Leon County Schools is combining VPK registration and school choice into one single process. School leaders, like Brooke Brunner, Director of Early Learning for Leon County Schools, said the change is all about making things easier for families.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarly learning experiences are critical to the educational journey, and we want all of our students to be kindergarten-ready,\u201d Brunner said. <\/p>\n
VPK is a free, voluntary program offered by the State of Florida. Leon County Schools leaders say it\u2019s designed to give children a strong start before they ever step into a kindergarten classroom.<\/p>\n
\u201c90% of brain development happens from 0 to age 5, so pre-kindergarten is one of the most critical foundational educational years in the life of a child,\u201d Brunner said.<\/p>\n
In the past, the registration process required parents to come in person for screenings and paperwork. Now, that\u2019s changing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really simplifying the process for the VPK registration, super simple. Register in Focus, complete a school choice form,\u201d Brunner said. \u201cOftentimes, they had to take off work, and we\u2019re really looking to reduce barriers.\u201d<\/p>\n
More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n
School officials say everything can now be done online through the Focus Parent Portal account. They say parents can either add their pre-K student to an existing account or create a new account. After that, they will upload supporting documents and then fill out a school choice application.<\/p>\n
They say this new process gives parents more flexibility and more time to focus on their child\u2019s education.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is really a precursor and a foundational step to ensuring that our kids are ready to receive the instruction in kindergarten,\u201d Brunner said.<\/p>\n
School leaders also say the instruction students receive in VPK makes a difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the 2025 school year, only 42% of our kindergarteners demonstrated readiness on the FAST assessment, but 57% of students demonstrated readiness on the kindergarten assessment,\u201d Brunner said.<\/p>\n
Parents have until March 2 to register in Focus and complete the school choice application. After that deadline, Leon County Schools says a lottery will be held.<\/p>\n
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