Cy-Fair ISD is launching a tuition-based pre-K program in the 2025-26 school year, according to a Jan. 27 news release.

"We will provide the same high-quality curriculum that we currently provide to our pre-K students for our tuition-based students as well," CFISD Chief Academic Officer Tonya Goree said during a Jan. 13 board work session. "The state requires progress monitoring, ... and we have the same student-teacher ratio. ... We will continue to evaluate the program based on student data."

The specifics

The Texas Education Agency-approved program will be offered at all CFISD elementary campuses for children who do not meet the state's qualified pre-K eligibility requirements. To be eligible for no-cost pre-K, children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1 and meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Be unable to speak and comprehend English
  • Be eligible for free or reduced lunch prices based on family income
  • Be homeless
  • Be the child of an active duty member of the U.S. armed forces
  • Be the child of a member of the U.S. armed forces who was injured or killed while serving
  • Be or have been in the foster care system
  • Be the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award
  • Be transferred from a previously enrolled school district in Texas
According to the news release, if a student's home campus is full, the school district will assign the student to an alternate campus with available space.

CFISD Chief of Staff Teresa Hull said during the board work session that the tuition-based pre-K program could help the school district as it continues to see a decline in elementary enrollment.


"We see this program as having a long-term impact," Hull said. "With declines in elementary enrollment, this program provides the opportunity to maximize the capacity at under-utilized campuses."

The tuition-based pre-K program is designed for children who are 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, according to the CFISD website.

Tuition and fees are:
  • Community members (resident and non-resident): $650 per month
  • CFISD employees: $600 per month
  • Registration fee: $50 (non-refundable)
Also of note

Paid pre-K students attending their zoned campus are eligible for transportation services. However, those attending a campus outside their zone are not, CFISD Director of General Administration Scott Tucker said during the board work session.


CFISD officials said parents of paid pre-K students must agree to specific program requirements, which include attendance expectations, operating hours and policies regarding late pick-ups and payment issues.

Registration information will be available later this spring, according to the news release.

Measuring the impact

A 2019 study conducted by Texans Care for Children, a nonprofit that helps Texas children and families succeed, found that pre-K programs increase students' readiness for kindergarten. The study revealed that 58% of eligible children who attend public pre-K programs are kindergarten-ready, while 42% of children who do not attend are considered kindergarten-ready.


According to the study, full-day pre-K programs can improve high school graduation rates and college attendance.