Pre-K
Who is eligible for this program?
All children that reside within the boundaries of the Gravette School District and are three years of age on or before August 3rd, 2025.
Priority will be given to four-year-olds and remaining spots will be given to three year olds.
How much does the program cost?
The program is income based and has a combination of free tuition and paid tuition spots available to families that qualify. For paid tuition, a sliding fee scale may be implemented. More information will be provided once the grant parameters have been set by the state. Each family will have the option to accept or decline upon notification of your eligibility.
Student breakfast and lunch costs must be charged based on Free and Reduced School Lunch Application. Each parent/guardian MUST complete this form!
When does the application process begin?
Enrollment packets for the next school year will be released around the beginning of March. We upload the digital copies to the documents section of our website and physical copies will be available in our front office or in bins outside the front doors. We will give an official announcement on our website and Facebook.
What are the rules for attendance?
Pre-K classes offered within the guidelines of the ABCSS Program will be based upon a seven hour day and a 178 day minimum school year.
The Gravette School District is unable to transport students enrolled in the Pre-K program. Students should not arrive before 7:40am and no later than 7:55am. Dismissal will begin at 2:45pm Mon-Fri.
Excessive student tardiness or absenteeism will result in the child being dropped from the program.
How will I know if my child has been accepted?
Notification of acceptance will be sent out at the beginning of June.
Who do I ask if I have questions?
Your first point of contact with be the Glenn A. Duffy front office staff! We welcome you to come in person during school hours (8am - 3:30pm) or call (479-787-4100 ext. 5).
Arkansas Better Chance
The Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program was created in 1991 to offer high quality early education services to children birth to five exhibiting developmental and socio-economic risk factors. In 2003, the Arkansas Legislature made a commitment to expand early childhood education to serve low-income three and four-year old children in areas at high risk for academic failure with high quality pre-k services. This expansion, known as the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success, has become the state pre-kindergarten program. The ABC program models are Center-Based programs, Home-Visiting programs (HIPPY and PAT) and Family Child Care Homes.
Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards
The Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards: Birth through 60 Months provide a set of common expectations for what children typically know, understand, and are able to do at different ages in early childhood. They are research-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate, comprehensive, and are written with the understanding that children reach developmental milestones at different times. The Standards are designed to assist in developing age-appropriate learning goals for children, to support developmentally appropriate curriculum and assessment, and to outline a progression of development and learning that supports success in school and in life.
Approved Curriculum
The Arkansas Department of Human Services and the Arkansas Department of Education, in collaboration with statewide stakeholders, have established a list of curriculum resources that align with the Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards: Birth through 60 Months. Arkansas Better Chance programs must use one of the identified curricula.
