Pre-Kindergarten Program
Enroll
Today
The JPS-Hinds Pre-K Collaborative exposes scholars to a vocabulary-rich, nurturing environment where learning takes place through multiple opportunities and interests.
Our Pre-K curriculum provides the framework for students to be taught according to stages of child development and according to each child’s own individual needs.


Our primary focus is placed on the whole child. Each of our teachers is highly knowledgeable about child development and the subjects and standards required to teach pre-kindergarten students.
Partners
Jackson Public Schools
Tiffany Cline, Director of Early Childhood Education (PK-2)
Lottie W. Thornton Early Childcare Center | Jackson State University
Juanita Johnson, Director
Kanesha N. Bennett, Ed.D., Faculty Liaison
Hinds County Human Resource Agency Head Start
Leroy Lee, Interim Vice President of Head Start and Early Childhood Programs
Little Saints Academy
Cheryl Johnson, Director
Funtime Pre-school
Lisa Daniels, Director
Partners
Jackson Public Schools
Felicia Thomas, Ed.D., Director of Early Childhood (PK-2)
Lottie W. Thornton Early Childcare Center | Jackson State University
Nakia Cooper, Interim Director
Kanesha N. Bennett, Ed.D., Faculty Liaison
Hinds County Human Resource Agency Head Start
Chelsea Luster, Associate Vice President
Little Saints Academy
Amy Berry, Director

Learn
With Us
OUR GOALS
Each scholar in our early learning program will:
- Develop rich oral language and a robust vocabulary,
- Acquire knowledge of skills and concepts taught in each subject area,
- Develop social skills and emotional control, and
- Transition smoothly through instructional routines of learning through play in centers, small groups, and age-appropriate environments.
OUR CURRICULUM
We use the Mississippi Beginnings Curriculum, which provides scholars with a strong start and focuses on child-centric developmental education. We base instruction on key learning goals and allow scholars to express themselves through play. Each scholar has the opportunity to work toward attaining these goals and achieving readiness for kindergarten and beyond.
Exceptional Education
The Office of Exceptional Education Services provides a variety of support services to students with disabilities. Eligible students may receive services between 3 and 21 years of age.
The Office of Exceptional Education Services provides students with disabilities a free and appropriate public education that emphasizes specially designed instruction and related services to meet the students’ unique needs in their least restrictive environment. We strive to engage parents, communicate effectively with all stakeholders and utilize community resources to prepare students for post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.
Services offered through the Department of Exceptional Education include:
- Assistive Technology Evaluation and Services
- Behavioral Intervention Services
- Educational Services
- Homebound Services
- Language/Speech Services
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Psychological Services, including pre-school and school-age assessments
- Specialized Medical Care
English Learners
The goal of the Jackson Public Schools ESL program is to enable English language learners to become proficient in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. The ESL program emphasizes the mastery of English language skills, as well as mathematics, science and social studies, as integral parts of the academic goals for all students to enable English language learners to participate equitably in school.
Each designated EL school employs an ESL teacher to provide services. For more information, please call (601) 960-8707.
El objetivo del programa de ESL de las escuelas pública de Jackson es asegurar que los estudiantes de inglés se vuelvan proficientes en escuchar, hablar, leer y escribir en inglés. El programa de ESL va enfatizar el dominio de las habilidades del idioma inglés, así como las matemáticas, ciencias y estudios sociales, como partes integrales de los objetivos académicos para que todos los estudiantes y asegurar que los estudiantes de inglés participen equitativamente en la escuela.
Cada escuela designada recibirá un maestro de ESL para proveer servicios.
Para obtener más información, llame al (601) 960-8707.
ELIGIBILITY
- Your child must be four years old before September 1st of the school year.
- Your child must be completely potty-trained.
- Your child must be a Jackson resident.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The following items must be presented at the time of your scheduled appointment/screening:
- A state ID or driver’s License
- A Mississippi Immunization Compliance Form 121
- Student’s Original, Long-form, Certified Birth Certificate (child must be four years old on or before September 1, 2022)
- Two (2) Proofs of Residency within the school zone the child will attend.
- Copy of mortgage document, filed homestead exemption, property deed, or current lease agreement AND
- One (1) current utility bill (Atmos Energy, Jackson Water & Sewer or Entergy) or Voter Registration Card showing residence property address
- Notarized Affidavit of Shared Residency, if applicable
- Notarized Affidavit of Non-Parental, if applicable
Research shows that the availability of early childhood education programs attracts homebuyers and increases property values by $13 for every dollar invested in local programs, directly affecting our community’s economic prospects.
Grow
With Us
The Mississippi Legislature created a 1:1 state tax credit for monetary or in-kind donations to Pre-K collaboratives across the state. The State provides half of the costs for delivering Pre-K services. Local matching funds and in-kind goods and services provide the remaining funding.
Individuals, small businesses, and corporations that make a contribution to support the matching fund may be eligible to receive a state tax credit for the donated amount of up to $1,000,000.
For more information on the tax credit program, contact Tiffany Cline at tcline@jackson.k12.ms.us or (601) 960-8356.

