Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)

Thank you for your interest in the Murfreesboro City Schools VPK Program.  The MCS VPK program is funded by a grant for low income or at-risk children. We serve four-year old children who are zoned for a city school. Our program prepares children for kindergarten by helping them develop school readiness academic and social skills.

Requirements

• • Children must be 4 years old by August 15 of the current year.
• • Children must live within the Murfreesboro city limits.
• • Transportation to and from the Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) program is the responsibility of the parent or guardian. Families experiencing housing transitions (McKinney‑Vento status) should coordinate with the Student in Transitions Liaison and school social workers to receive appropriate support and assistance.
• • Students who are homeless are exempt from providing required documentation.

Download the Income Eligibility Chart Below:

• • 2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines – English
• • 2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines – Spanish
• • 2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines – Arabic

If you have specific concerns or questions, you may email preschool@cityschools.net or call 615-898-7148.

2026-27 Application Process

• Step 1: Gather All Documents
Complete before starting Step 2
Required documentation unless the enrolling student is in state custody or is experiencing homelessness:

1. Preschool Application
2. Proof of income: 1 of the following:
   -1 month of current pay stubs (4 if paid weekly, 2 if bi-weekly),
   -2025 W2,
   -2024 or 25 tax return, or public assistance verification like SNAP may also be submitted.
3. Proof of your residency: The only documentation that will be accepted is a copy of an electric, water, gas bill or lease with the parent’s/guardian’s name and the service address on it. These bills may be no more than 45 days old. An affidavit will need to be completed if the utility bill is not in the parent’s/guardian’s name.
4. Proof of Age (This may include a birth certificate, baptismal records, entry in family bible, hospital records, religious certificate showing date of birth, an adoption record, a previously verified school record, or a passport.)
5. Current immunization records
6. Current physical examination

• Step 2: Submit VPK Application
Submit application with required documentation.

If you would like assistance with your application, please visit Cason Lane Academy Preschool located at 930 Cason Lane in Murfreesboro or the MCS Central Office located at 2552 S. Church Street in Murfreesboro.

MCS will send applicants an email stating their child DID or DID NOT meet the state requirement to proceed.

• Families that meet the requirement will move to Step 3.
• Families that did not meet the requirement will not continue.

Step 3: VPK Acceptance & Registration
If your application is accepted, you will then register your child through the Skyward Family Access Portal.

If you would like assistance with Skyward registration, please visit Cason Lane Academy Preschool located at 930 Cason Lane in Murfreesboro or the MCS Central Office located at 2552 S. Church Street in Murfreesboro.

Step 4: Next Steps
Complete any necessary health requirements:

Updated Immunizations

TB Test – See requirements (English, Spanish, Arabic)

MCS staff will send an official acceptance email of VPK.