The School District of Lee County is launching an effort to reach every parent in Lee County to enroll their young children in Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs. Students who enroll in Florida’s VPK program score higher on third-grade ELA tests, graduate high school on time, and have improved lifelong outcomes than non-participants.
Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) is a state-funded, free three-hour per weekday early learning program designed to prepare children for success in kindergarten. The School District of Lee County utilizes the state VPK funding to provide a full-day, comprehensive PreK program. There is no charge for the additional three hours provided for the program. Students enrolled in the School District’s VPK program follow the Elementary School instructional day hours and calendar.
“The 2024 Florida Department of Education Kindergarten Readiness data show that children in Lee County who did not attend VPK are significantly less likely to enter kindergarten with the literacy skills needed to be kindergarten ready,” said Dr. Bethany Quisenberry, Director of Early Childhood Learning for the School District. ”Without early learning experiences, many of these children are at risk of starting school behind, which can affect their long-term academic and social-emotional success.”
The School District will offer VPK programs at 17 schools during the 2026-2027 school year:
- Amanecer Elementary
- Early Childhood Center
- Franklin Park Elementary
- G. Weaver Hipps Elementary
- Gulf Elementary
- Skyline Elementary
- Harns Marsh Middle
- James Stephens Community School
- Lehigh Elementary
- Manatee Elementary
- Ray V. Pottorf Elementary
- San Carlos Park Elementary
- Spring Creek Elementary
Enrolling in Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten begins January 1, 2026. Children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2026, to participate. A simplified, three-step process is available on the Early Childhood Learning Services website with how-to videos and answers to frequently asked questions. A full list of VPK providers in Lee County is available through a search at https://fldoe.wonderschool.com/search.