Jefferson County's Voluntary PreK program

Jefferson County Schools offers a free voluntary preschool program at 7 elementary schools in the county. Our VPK sites are located at the following locations: Jefferson Elementary School, Mount Horeb Elementary School, New Market Elementary School, Piedmont Elementary School, Rush Strong School, Talbott Elementary School, and White Pine School. VPK hours are 8:15am-2:15pm 5 days per week and follow the school calendar. There is a limit of 20 spots at each VPK location. Bus transportation and before/after school care are not available for VPK students. Enrollment of age-eligible Kindergarten students is not permitted. 

Student eligibility is determined as follows:

1. Jefferson County Schools shall enroll children residing in Jefferson County who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15th, 2026, and who are "at risk". For the purpose of this program, "at risk" shall be defined as follows:

• Children with or without disabilities who are:

- Four (4) years of age on or before August 15th and members of families with incomes that meet the eligibility requirements

OR

- Dependent children who are four (4) years of age on or before August 15th whose parent was killed, died as a direct result of injuries received because of war, or is or has been officially reported as a prisoner of war or missing in action

After the 30th full day of school, if Jefferson County Schools has enrolled all "at-risk" children as defined above, Jefferson County Schools may enroll children who are not at-risk but who:

2. Reside in Jefferson County and who are:

• Four (4) years of age, with or without a disability, on or before August 15th
• Three (3) years of age on or before August 15th and:

- Who have been in the Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS)

OR

- Who have been screened and identified as educationally at-risk, as determined pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

OR

- Who are members of families with incomes that meet the income eligibility requirements

3. Reside outside of Jefferson County and:

• Are children of parent employed by Jefferson County Schools

AND

• Are four (4) years of age on or before August 15th

Required Application Documentation:

1. Proof of birth
2. TN Certificate of Immunization with record of immunizations and date of most recent well visit/physical examination
3. 2 Proofs of Residency with current address
4. Proof of income (if applicable)
5. Custody documents (if applicable) 

Complete the Family Assistance Request Form or call the Family Resource Center at 865-397-4466 for additional information or to schedule an appointment.