• Preschool Application Process

    RCPS accepts applications for students who are or will be 3 or 4 years old on or before September 30th of the current school year. Acceptance to the VPI program depends on residency and eligibility criteria. Applications are accepted year-round and eligible students may be selected off the wait list as spots become available. Acceptance into the program is not first-come, first-serve. 

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    View the information below to learn more about the preschool application process:

    Phase One

    • Families apply for preschool using the Smart2Start Application
      • The United Way of the Roanoke Valley is holding weekly Smart2Start Coordinated Enrollment office hours every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Envision Center located at 2607 Salem Turnpike. 
    • Based on the family's income, applications may be sent to TAP Head Start. TAP will contact families accordingly. If the family requests, the application can be sent to RCPS.
    • To be eligible for the RCPS VPI program, families must reside in Roanoke City and meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:
      • Family income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level
      • Family is experiencing homelessness
      • One or both of the student's parents did not graduate from high school
      • Student qualifies for Special Education services
      • Local eligibility criteria

    Phase Two

    • Families will be contacted by the RCPS Preschool Department to schedule a screener. At the appointment, additional family information will be collected, and the child will participate in a questionnaire. 
    • All families are required to submit proof of income. If proof of income is not provided, no additional enrollment steps will be completed. Acceptable documents include:
      • W-2 form
      • Child support
      • Tax forms
      • Social security
      • Paystubs (salary)
      • Written statement from employer
      • Benefits/unemployment/other

    Phase Three

    Families will be notified of program status (accepted, waitlisted, or declined) beginning late spring (VPI-4) or early summer (VPI-3). If accepted, families must provide the following to be considered fully enrolled: 

    • Birth Certificate
    • Physical and immunization record
    • Proof of Residence (utility bill and a mortgage or lease)
    • Photo ID (parent/guardian)