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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does everyone need to complete the Free Preschool Interest Form?

Yes please, the Preschool Interest Form is the first step to accessing all the free preschool services in our area. This is not a program application; it is a tool to communicate and understand your child’s and your family’s needs. 

We use the information you provide to collaborate with our early learning partners to coordinate enrollment, and to find a program that will be a good fit for you and your family. Please take a few moments to fill out the Free Preschool Interest Form. Once completed and received, we will email you with next steps.

Q: What free programs are in the Tigard & Tualatin community, and what are the eligibility requirements for preschool enrollment?

  1. Tigard Tualatin School District (TTSD) offers inclusive PreKindergarten (PreK) at no cost for students age 4 on or by September 1st who live within the district boundary. \

Firstly, TTSD PreK students must live within the Tigard-Tualatin Boundary. Please click here to see if your address falls within the boundary lines. 

There are four (4) TTSD part-day PreK classes that meet Monday-Thursday for 2.5 hours during the school year, in AM & PM cohorts:

  • Metzger Elementary PreK (serving families who live within the Metzger, CF Tigard, and Mary Woodward boundaries);
  • Tigard High School, the "Durham PreK" (serving families who live within the Durham and Templeton boundaries);
  • Tualatin Elementary PreK (serving families who live within the Tualatin, Art Rutkin, and Deer Creek boundaries); 
  • Tualatin High School, the "Byrom PreK" (serving families who live within the Byrom, Bridgeport and Alberta Rider boundaries)

We try to group kids together based on the kindergarten school they will go to. This way, they will see friendly faces from their PreK class when they start kindergarten.

Class sizes are small and space is limited. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide PreK to every family in our community. Therefore, children with special needs, and families making less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level and who do not qualify for Head Start or Oregon’s Preschool Promise will have priority. Families making over 400% of the FPL will be placed on a waitlist and notified of an opening based on the date of application. 

  1. Community Action Head Start- offers high-quality, inclusive programming at no cost for children who are age 3 and 4 on or by September 1st.  This is a free, full-day preschool program that is paid for by the federal government. This program has specific income eligibility requirements, with housing cost adjustments as part of their eligibility review​. Community Action manages applications for this program in our area. Please use this link for more information, and to apply directly with them.
  2. Preschool Promise- is a publicly funded high-quality, inclusive program for children who are age 3 and 4 on or by September 1st. Preschool Promise offers free, full-day preschool programming that is paid for by the state. Washington County manages applications for the Preschool Promise program in our area. Please use this link for more information, and to apply directly with them. TTSD is one of many Preschool Promise providers in the Tigard and Tualatin communities. Three (3) TTSD Preschool Promise PreK classrooms are housed at the district’s Kalapuya Early Learning Center.
  1. Latino Network’s Juntos Aprendemos: A Spanish-language program where parents/guardians and children learn together. Families meet once a week for 2 hours during the school year. Juntos Aprendemos serves 3-5 year-olds and meets at four Tigard-Tualatin elementary schools.
  2. Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE): Free services to children ages 0-5 found eligible through a referral and evaluation. Services may include special instruction and/or therapies (speech, physical, or occupational). Support may take place in community preschools, child care, or programs like TTSD PreK, Head Start, or Preschool Promise.

Q: What are the Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) for household income?

The Federal Poverty Levels (FPL) are issued each year by the US Department of Health and Human Services, based on the US Census Bureau poverty thresholds. Head Start and Preschool Promise determine eligibility through their application process.  

Q: What documentation is required on the applications?

Preschool program applications require the following: 

TTSD PreK

  • Proof of birth- birth certificate, current passport, or hospital record
  • Up to date Immunization records from your health provider
  • Proof of residency in the Tigard-Tualatin School District Boundary (any of the following are accepted: a utility bill dated within the last 90 days, which can include a cable bill, rental or lease agreement, or mortgage statement)

Community Action Head Start

  •  Child’s proof of age
    • birth certificate, or hospital record, or immunization record, or OHP award letter, or DHS letter
  • Proof of Income
    • SNAP (Food Stamps) Award Letter from Department of Health and Human Services (DHS).
    • TANF (Cash Assistance) Award Letter from Department of Health and Human Services (DHS).
    • Social Security Benefits or SSI award letter.
    • Foster Care award letter.
    • W-2 form
    • Tax forms (1040 or 1040A).
    • Income Declaration Statement.
    • Letter from your employer stating employment dates and wages paid.
    • Verification of unemployment payments, such as a printout of payments from the Employment Division, income tax form, or Form 1099-G.
    • 12 months of pay stubs.
    • Child Support

Preschool Promise

  • Age Verification 
    • Child’s Birth Certificate, Health Record, Immunization Record
  • Proof of Residence
    • Driver’s License, Utility Bill, ID Card
  • Proof of Income 
    • Income tax form 1040 OR 2040A 
    • 3 most recent concurrent pay stubs for each member of your household only if related by blood or legally married that show the past last 3 months of employment and or unemployment earnings
    • If your family income has changed a lot due to the pandemic and/or job loss please include it in your application.

Q: How will preschool placement be determined?

For the TTSD PreKs: For the part-day classrooms, we will offer families access to the online enrollment application beginning in February each year, and begin confirming placements in early May. This allows all families time to assess their preschool needs, and complete an application.

Once applications and other documents are complete and received, the Early Learning team will place your child in the PreK site closest to your home. TTSD has a limited number of PreK spaces and classrooms, so we group students by their home address. Our aim is to place your child with peers that will attend the same school for kindergarten. 

TTSD’s part-day PreK class sizes are small and space is limited. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide PreK to every family in our community. Therefore, children with special needs, and families making less than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level and who do not qualify for Head Start or Oregon’s Preschool Promise will have priority. Families making over 400% of the FPL will be placed on a waitlist and notified of an opening based on the date of application. 

Additionally, TTSD operates an Oregon Preschool Promise-funded full-day program at the Kalapuya Early Learning Center. Again, this is an income-eligible program and families first apply through Washington County. Please also refer to answers about eligibility requirements, above.

Community Action Head Start: Application processing may take up to 3 weeks after submitted. Once a completed application is received, Community Action Head Start enrollment staff will verify your eligibility and add your child to a waitlist. The waitlist is generated by priority points taken from the application. You will be contacted when an opening becomes available for your child’s placement in a Head Start classroom.

Preschool Promise: Once a complete application is received, Early Learning Washington County Preschool Promise enrollment staff will verify your eligibility and add your child to a lottery placement system. You will be contacted by Washington County when an opening becomes available for your child’s placement in a Preschool Promise program.

Q: Will my child receive district transportation for preschool?

Tigard-Tualatin is pleased to offer transportation with limited capacity to the TTSD PreK sites, including TTSD’s Preschool Promise classrooms at the Kalapuya Early Learning Center. We open up the opportunity to all families, and prioritize families with the highest needs. 

TTSD may be legally required to make changes to bus routes for PreK students who have been identified with special needs. Because we have a limited number of PreK buses and drivers, adding a new student to a route might mean we have to stop providing a ride for your child. This could happen at any time during the school year, unfortunately.

We know that changes to your daily routine can be stressful. We suggest that PreK families have a back-up transportation plan.

Transportation service to Head Start and non-TTSD Preschool Promise program sites is typically not provided except on a very limited basis; please ask your Head Start and Preschool Promise provider for specific details.

Q: Can my Kindergarten student remain at the same school they attended preschool?

All kindergarten students are guaranteed a placement at their neighborhood school. Families are required to apply for choice enrollment if you would like your student to attend Kindergarten at a school outside of your neighborhood boundary. 

Please contact Tigard-Tualatin Early Learning Department at preschoolinfo@ttsd.k12.or.us or at 503-431-4580.