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Teaching and Learning
- Academic Competitions And Recognitions
- Advanced Learning Programs
- Pre-K-12 Curriculum and Instruction
- Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE)
- Pre-K Early Success Centers
- Enrollment From Home School Programs
- Federal Programs
- Fine Arts
- Magnet Schools
- Professional Development
- Research Accountability And Assessment
- Dyslexia
Teaching and Learning - Pre-K Early Success Centers

General Information
Funded through the Georgia Lottery, Muscogee County Schools’ Pre-K Program provides positive learning experiences and skill development. This program is free for all students who meet the eligibility requirements.
Our focus is to provide four year old children with learning experiences that will prepare them for kindergarten and academic success throughout their educational journey. We strive to provide enriching experiences for young children that will give the best possible start to school readiness.
Muscogee County Schools’ Pre-Kindergarten program helps children become independent.
Muscogee County School District has 48 classes at 18 different schools. Our program provides a full day (6.5 hours) of appropriate instructional services to students for the regular school calendar year.
A maximum of twenty-two (22) students receive services in each class. Each classroom has a qualified lead teacher and trained teacher assistant. More information about the Georgia Lottery funded Pre-K program can be obtained by going to www.decal.ga.gov.
Pre-K Elementary Schools
Eligibility for the 2023-2024 school year
- Children who are four (4) years of age on or before September 1, 2023 and live within the Muscogee County Schools attendance zone are eligible to enroll in the program.
- Children are eligible to attend Georgia’s Pre-K for one year only.
- Children with a late birth date and are not eligible to attend kindergarten may be eligible to enroll-September 2, 2018-December 31, 2018. A parent acknowledgment form must be completed during the application process. Please contact the Pre-K Department for the form. If you are the parent of twins, triplets, etc., you are required to submit one application per child.
- If your child is pulled as number 22 on the list, you will have the option to accept one seat for one twin and place the other on the Waiting List. The second option is to wait until all siblings are offered a seat.
Pre-K Enrollment 2023-2024 school year
Online Pre-K Application- apps.muscogee.k12.ga.us/prek
Initial Lottery Dates: January 4, 2023 - February 10, 2023
Lottery Results shared with pare3nts via email: February 27, 2023
Ongoing Applications will be accepted for the 2023-2024 school year
What steps should I complete for my child to be eligible to participate in the Pre-K Program?
Step 1: Complete an on-line Pre-K application beginning January 5, 2023. Once you submit the application, you will receive an email confirmation.
- Before beginning the application, use your cellphone to take a clear picture of the following documents to upload in the application:
- child’s age (your child’s birth certificate, passport, or etc.)
and - proof of Georgia Residency (using your cellphone, take a clear picture of a current utility bill and current lease/mortgage statement) before beginning the application.
- child’s age (your child’s birth certificate, passport, or etc.)
Step 3: Parents who participate during the lottery window will receive an email notification of the results on February 27, 2023- acceptance or placed on the waiting list.
Step 4: Lottery winners parents should complete the Online Registration Process and upload required documents at muscogee.k12.ga.us by the deadline given in the email beginning March 1, 2023.
Note: Note: Submission of the application does NOT guarantee the enrollment. Selection is based on a random computer lottery and the waiting list process (based on the date the application is received).
What happens if my child is not selected during the lottery process?
The children are placed on the waiting list. When a vacancy occurs, the parents of the next child on the waiting list will be contacted via telephone. Parents will have 24 hours to notify the Pre-K Department of their decision to either accept or decline the seat offered. If the seat is declined, the next family on the waiting list will be contacted.
Can a parent apply after the initial lottery process?
Yes. Parents who wish to apply must complete an on-line Pre-K application. We accept applications until the end of the next school term. When an opening becomes available, you will be contacted via telephone
REQUIRED registration documentation for Pre-K enrollment, when your child is accepted into the program:
- Birth Certificate or Passport of child being enrolled
- Social Security Card of child being enrolled (waiver forms may be issued if needed)
- Parent/Guardian Driver’s License or other state issued ID
- Custody documents if applicable
- Georgia Immunization Certificate-form #3231 (students may be enrolled provisionally with waiver issued by the school)
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Proof of Residency: (TWO items from the following list- (if proofs are not in parent’s or legal guardian’s name, the person whose name is on the proofs must be present to complete the Affidavit of Residency for registration at the assigned school or the Pre-K Department)
- Current Mortgage document which indicates the location of the residence
- Apartment/home lease or rental agreement indicating current address
- Current electric, water, gas bill showing service address
- Property tax records which indicates the location of the residence
Blended Head Start/Pre-K Classrooms
Note: if your child is accepted in a Blended Pre-Kindergarten Classroom, the following additional documents will be required for enrollment: Health Determination Form and Dental Examination Form.
Bus Transportation
For additional information, please call the Pre-K department secretary, Ms. Wooten at 706-748-2118 or wooten.keasha.n@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
Documents and Resources
Reading Tips for Parents of Pre-K Students
Ordering a Birth Certificate
Social Security Number Waiver
GA Form 3300-Vision, Hearing, Dental, Nutrition Screening Form
District Provisional Form 3300 Waiver
GA Form 3231-Certificate of Immunization
District Provisional Immunization Waiver
Helpful Websites
Phonological Awareness in Pre-K (http://www.readingrockets.org/helping/target/phonologicalphonemic)
Preschool Reading Readiness (http://www.greatschools.org/preschool-reading-readiness.topic?content=4980)
Reading Readiness for Kindergarten (http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Pre_Kindergarten_Reading_Skills/)
Bright from the Start Georgia Early Learning Development Standards - GELDS (http://gelds.decal.ga.gov/Default.aspx)
DECAL Bright from the Start (http://decal.ga.gov/Prek/PreKHome.aspx)
Funbrain Reading and More (http://www.funbrain.com/brain/ReadingBrain/ReadingBrain.html)
Get Ready to Read! (http://www.getreadytoread.org/)
Starfall Reading (http://www.starfall.com/)
PBS Kids Reading Games (http://pbskids.org/games/reading/)
KINDERGARTEN TRANSITIONING INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Kindergarten Transitioning Tips (http://archives.gadoe.org/DMGetDocument.aspx/Transition%20to%20Kindergarten%20Handout.pdf?p=6CC6799F8C1371F6968B33B622C6AC062E478F6F9D49B440AD8088E282AEA642&Type=D)
Scholastic Kindergarten Readiness Tips (http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/what-to-expect-grade/ready-kindergarten)
Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developmental Skills - GKIDS (https://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/GKIDS.aspx)
Georgia's Kindergarten Performance Standards (https://www.georgiastandards.org/standards/Pages/BrowseStandards/GPS_by_Grade_Level_K-8.aspx)
Frequently Asked Questions
Your child must be 4 years old on or before September 1 of the current year. (Birthdate must fall between September 2 of the previous year and September 1 of the current year.)
Examples of acceptable proof of age include: Original/certified birth certificate, passport, green card, pink card, or Federal I-94 card and hospital record of live birth. Immunization forms and Medicaid cards are not acceptable documentation for proof of age.
Examples of proof of residency include: current lease, mortgage documents, property tax notice, current Peachcare eligibility documents and any utility bill listing the residence as the service address. A cell phone bill or a driver’s license are not acceptable proof of residency.
No, social security cards/numbers are not required to enroll in Georgia’s Pre-K; however, parents must sign a waiver for Bright from the Start and Muscogee County School District.
Georgia’s Pre-K Program operates just like a school classroom. Parents commit to sending their child to school for the complete 6.5 hours day 180 days per year. Children can be disenrolled for being chronically tardy in the morning or being picked up prior to the end of the instructional day.
Georgia’s Pre-K requires centers and schools provide a complete nutritional meal for children. Local schools/sites may set policies regarding bringing food to school. If your child has identified special food requirements, contact your Pre-K provider for individual guidance.
Chronic tardiness is defined as late arrival or early departure more than once per week.
Child's Birth Certificate, Child's Social Security Card (please be prepared to sign a waiver if you do not have your child’s card), 1st Proof of Residency (Mortgage statement, lease/rental agreement, or property tax document), 2nd Proof of Residency (Current utility bill), Immunization form 3231, Georgia certificate of ear, eye, dental and nutrition form 3300.
Pre-K providers cannot charge a registration fee for the 6.5 hours instructional day.
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning does not recommend “graduation” for four-year-old children as an appropriate activity. More appropriate activities include, but are not limited to, a field day, an open house, family/child picnic, dinner, etc.
Continue to monitor the Muscogee County School District (MCSD) website.
We maintain a waiting list of students who are interested in attending Pre-K at the Muscogee County School District (MCSD). We will contact you directly if a slot becomes available for your child. You may also search for additional pre-k sites in your area by using the online Provider Search (instructions provided on the search page) or calling 404-656-5957 (toll-free at 1-888-4GA-PREK) and asking for the Pre-K consultant of the day. If you need additional assistance, please call the department (1-888-4GA-PREK) and ask to be connected with the Pre-K consultant assigned to your area.
Contact Information
Kimberly Thomas Pre-K Director
Department of Early Success CentersMuscogee County Public Education Center
2960 Macon Road
Columbus, GA 31906
706-748-2118
706-748-2158 Fax
Vivian Walker Pre-K Clerk
Department of Early Success CentersMuscogee County Public Education Center
2960 Macon Road
Columbus, GA 31906
706-748-2118
706-748-2158 Fax
Keao White-Lindsey Pre-K Academic Coach
Department of Early Success CentersMuscogee County Public Education Center
2960 Macon Road
Columbus, GA 31906
706-748-2118