The gist
LTISD currently serves about 194 pre-K students across Serene Hills, Lake Travis and Lake Pointe elementary schools, said Lyndsae Benton, executive director of curriculum and instruction. The district has also managed to keep a steady retention rate in the program, she said.
"Overwhelmingly, over the past three years, that is the case—that there is always some students who move out of state or into another Texas district, but pretty much if we get them into our pre-K, they are staying with us," Benton said.
In order to better meet community needs, Benton said administration is planning a "significant expansion" in 2026-27 which will include a new program with multiple classrooms at West Cypress Hills Elementary and Lakeway Elementary, and additional classrooms according to capacity and need at Serene Hills, Lake Travis and Lake Pointe.
Some context
LTISD's pre-K program is offered for students who turn four years old on or before Sept. 1, and also offers a half-day program for three year old early childhood special education students.
Tuition for the program is $6,500, paid in installments between August and May. However, the program is offered for free if students meet certain criteria, such as being unable to speak or comprehend the English language, are eligible for the national school lunch program, are in foster care, or are a child of active duty military or a classroom teacher.
The district has consistently had a waitlist for this program. According to Benton, there were:
- 72 students waitlisted in 2021-22
- 64 students waitlisted in 2022-23
- 142 students waitlisted in 2023-24
- 121 students waitlisted in 2024-25
- 119 students waitlisted in 2025-26
"Our goal is to accommodate the entire waitlist," Benton said.
Next steps
Benton said staff are planning marketing and community engagement efforts in January ahead of program applications opening April 1.
