Clinton City Schools is a strong learning community that manifests respect and responsibility among students, staff, and families.  Our nurturing preschool program provides stimulating activities and learning experiences that prepare children for success in our kindergarten through sixth-grade program.  Clinton City Schools Preschool Program is a voluntary Pre -K initiative that implements a comprehensive curriculum aligned to the Tennessee Early Childhood Education Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN-ELDS).

Clinton City Schools Voluntary Preschool Program provides four-year-old children an opportunity to develop school readiness skills.   Priority is given to "at-risk" children. Children must be four years old by Aug. 15 prior to the new school year and reside in the area served by the school district. No child who is age eligible for kindergarten (five years of age on or before Aug. 15 prior to the new school year) may be enrolled in pre-K.

More information is available on the TN Department of Eduction website.

Student Eligibility

1) The Grantee shall enroll children residing in the geographic area served by the LEA who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15 for the current school year and who are “at risk.” 

For the purposes of this program, “at risk” shall be defined as follows: 

a) Children who are: 

      i. Four (4) years of age on or before August 15; and

     ii. Members of families with incomes that meet the eligibility requirements for free or reduced priced lunch as determined pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1771; or 

b) Dependent children who are four years of age on or before August 15 whose parent was killed, died as a direct result of injuries received as a result of war, or is or has been officially reported as a prisoner of war or missing in action. 

2) After September 15, 2023, if the Grantee has enrolled all “at risk” children available as defined above, the Grantee may enroll children who are not at-risk but who reside within the geographic area served by the LEA and who are:  

     a) Children who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15 with or without a disability; 

     b) Children who are three (3) years of age on or before August 15, and 

          i. Who have been in the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), or             

ii. Who are screened and identified as educationally at-risk as determined pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.); or 

iii. Who are members of families with incomes that meet the eligibility requirements for free or reduced prices meals as determined pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1771. 

3) Enrollment in the VPK program shall be voluntary. 

For more information or to apply for the program, please contact Lori Collins, VPK Supervisor, at 865 457-0159 or collinsl@clintonschools.org.