Welcome to Pre-K!
Enrolling your child in Pre-K is one of the best gifts you can give your child. In Terrell ISD, 90% of students who attend Pre-K at W. H. Burnett Early Childhood Center are considered ready for kindergarten compared to those who do not attend. Research shows that the road to college, career, and military readiness begins in early childhood.
While in Pre-K, your child will develop language and literacy skills along with fine motor, social and cognitive skills. They will also learn numeracy skills such as how to count objects and recognize numbers. Pre-kindergarten also promotes brain development and improves emotional learning. All of these skills will help your child to become kindergarten ready.
Ready to become a little Tiger? Let’s Go!
**Please Note: Your child's seat will not be confirmed until you have entered ALL required documents. This includes Terrell ISD staff. Simply starting an application does not mean your child is enrolled. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis once all required documents have been received.**
If you are enrolling a NEW student you will be prompted to create a username and password before beginning the enrollment process within Parent Portal. Refer to "Step Two" in the Steps to Enroll below for a guide on how to create a username and password.
If you are enrolling a returning student, simply log in with your username and password to begin the enrollment process.
If you are unable to remember your username and password, please contact W. H. Burnett for assistance at 972-563-1452.
Parent Information Sessions
Interested in learning more about our Pre-K classes? Attend a Parent Information Session! Parents will learn about Pre-K curriculum, take a tour of the campus and have their enrollment questions answered. Join us on one of the following dates:
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 | 6-7:30 PM
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | 6-7:30 PM
Both sessions will be held at W.H. Burnett Early Childhood Center located at 921 S. Rockwall Ave.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 5-7:30 pm
W. H. Burnett Early Childhood Center
921 S Rockwall Ave
**Please Bring All Required Documents with you so that you may enroll online. For a list of required documents, scroll down below to view "Steps to Enroll" and refer to "Step One."
Benefits of Pre-K
How does my child qualify for Free Pre-K?
Children may attend Pre-K in Terrell ISD for FREE if the parent/guardian is a Terrell ISD resident, the child is three or four-years-old by September 1 and the child meets one of the following criteria:
Employee of Terrell ISD
Eligible for free or reduced lunch
Eligible for SNAP and/or TANF
Qualifies as an English Language Learner
Homeless
Qualifies for Medicaid
Currently or has ever been in the foster care system
Dependent of active military service member, member who was injured during active service or is the survivor of a member killed in active service
Dependent of first responder who is a recipient of the Star of Texas Award
Tuition-Based Enrollment
Students who do not qualify for free Pre-K may register for tuition-based enrollment. The tuition rates for the 2025-2026 school year will be:
IN-DISTRICT TUITION
$500 deposit then nine payments of $500 from August through April
Initial $500 deposit is due by June 9, 2025.
First monthly payment of $500 is due by August 5 and remaining monthly payments are due on the 5th of each month thereafter.
OUT-OF-DISTRICT TUITION
$700 deposit then nine payments of $700 from August through April
Initial $700 deposit is due by June 9, 2025.
First monthly payment of $700 is due by August 5 and remaining monthly payments are due on the 5th of each month thereafter.
All payments are made online and are considered late after the 10th of the month.
Why do you charge tuition?
Terrell ISD does not receive state funding for Pre-K students who do not meet the qualifications listed in the section above. In order to cover the cost of educating Pre-K students whose parents do not meet the qualifications, the district must charge tuition.
Steps to Enroll
1- Gather Required Documents
Birth Certificate
Social Security Card (Optional)
Photo ID of the person enrolling new student
Immunization Records
Proof of Residency- Water or electric bill in guardian's name or lease/mortgage agreement in guardian's name
Proof of income documentation
SNAP and/or TANF Eligibility Letter
One month of income documents (If you are paid monthly, please submit two months)
Dates on bills must be within 30 days of April 1st or within 30 days at the time of enrollment (If you do not have bills in your name, please come to the campus to complete the "Living With" affidavit)
Current lease agreements (if applicable)
Foster documentation (if applicable)
Proof of Terrell ISD Employment if a District Employee (New Hire Welcome Letter or Staff ID Badge)
PLEASE NOTE: SCREEN SHOTS ON YOUR PHONE ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
For visual samples click here.
2- Create a Parent Portal Account
In order to register your child, all parents must create a Parent Portal account. Additionally, Parent Portal is where you will check your child's grades and attendance. Below is a guide to help you create a new account along with the link to Parent Portal to get started.
3- Fill Out and Submit the Online Application
Once you have created your Parent Portal account you will then fill out the W. H. Burnett online application which is housed within Parent Portal.
Click here to begin the online application.
**Parents, please be prepared to receive and accept communication from WH Burnett during the enrollment process.
Staff will be checking applications as they come in and may need to contact you if they need further information before the enrollment and eligibility is complete. The information they will use to contact you will be the email address and phone number you entered in Parent Portal. Please ensure your contact information is correct.
4- Receive Acceptance Letter
Your child's seat is not confirmed until you have received an official acceptance letter.
Out of District Transfers
W. H. Burnett will not be considering applications for out-of-district transfers until late June.