Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten

Knox County Schools offers voluntary pre-kindergarten classes for at-risk four year olds at these locations:

• East Knox County Elementary School (2 classes)
• Fort Sanders Educational Development Center (2 Classes)
• Gibbs Elementary
• Karns Elementary (4 classes)
• Mooreland Heights Elementary School
• Pleasant Ridge Elementary School
• Ritta Elementary School (2 classes)
• Sarah Moore Greene Elementary School
• South Knox Elementary
• Sunnyview Elementary School (2 classes)
• West View Elementary School
• There are classes also at LaPetite Academy, Bagley Lane, LaPetite Academy, George Williams Rd, and My Village Child Development Center.

The voluntary pre-k program is funded by the Tennessee State Lottery and by the Great Schools Foundation.

Knox County Schools continues to provide preschool programs for at-risk children at the Sam E. Hill and Fair Garden Family and Community Centers. For more information regarding these programs, contact Supplementary Services Director Lois McSwine at 594-1802.

What you will see in a Pre-K Class

“How can the students be learning and getting ready for kindergarten? It looks like all you ever do is play.”

That’s right! We do play! But it’s called purposeful play!

Recent studies in brain research have shown that four year olds need to play in order to learn. Key findings on brain development include the importance of a safe and stimulating environment, as well as early experiences in children’s lives.

Active learning is the foundation of our classrooms. This approach includes:

1. student initiated activities
2. choice of materials
3. multisensory activities
4. discovery through direct interaction with objects
5. students transforming and combining materials
6. age appropriate materials and equipment
7. gross motor skills
8. language experiences