PRE-K LOTTERY: WHAT TO EXPECT

After submitting your Pre-K lottery application, you will receive a confirmation email. The drawing for the 2026–27 Pre-K school year will be March 2, 2026. You will receive a notification on the day of the drawing.

Families with more than one child eligible for Pre-K will be drawn together. The lottery consists of random drawings from all applicants within that elementary school attendance zone. The Pre-K Classes will be filled by randomly selecting 20 students per class, and the school will assign them to their respective Pre-K classes. All families submitting Pre-K Lottery applications will be notified by email whether their child is on a Pre-K class list or on a waiting list.

If your student is selected in the lottery drawing, Pre-K screenings are expected. Pre-K screening dates will be March 9, 10, and 11th. Screenings will be at the schools. The school will send you more information about the screening. Children of full-time BCSS employees (legal guardians) will receive lottery priority and be allowed to enroll in the school of their choice.

ABOUT THE PRE-K PROGRAM

All Barrow County School System (BCSS) Pre-K classes are pending state budget funding and approval of the BCSS Pre-K Grant Agreement by Bright from the Start, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.

The BCSS Pre-K classes teach the Bright from The Start GELDS (Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards) using the Frog Street Excel Pre-K curriculum, and the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum.

All BCSS Georgia Pre-K Program classes will be at our ten elementary schools. They will follow the BCSS calendar and elementary school hours (7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.). Bus transportation will be available within your child's elementary school zone. Pre-K students must attend class within their elementary attendance zone (unless student numbers create a need for a combo class).