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Isle of Wight County Schools is accepting applications for its Learning Center for the 2021–2022 school year. The 4-year-old pre-kindergarten program is located at Carrollton, Carrsville, Hardy and Windsor elementary schools.

Preschool will be in person only this year. In order to participate, students must be 4 years old by Sept. 30, 2021. Students are provided with transportation from designated bus stops set by the school division’s transportation department. Each classroom has one certified teacher, one instructional assistant and a maximum of 20 students.

This program is designed for children who may face issues that could have a negative impact on their school success. Those issues include poverty, low family income, homelessness or being part of a family where the parents or guardians have a limited education. Additional factors that can be considered include a child being raised by grandparents, being a foster child, living with a parent who is chronically ill, the child not speaking English or a student who has special needs.

To apply, parents must complete an online application available on the division’s website, iwcs.k12.va.us/apps/pages/earlychildhood. Other documents needed for admission include financial documentation, such as a 2020 tax return, a 2020 W-2, or two most recent pay stubs. The parent or guardian will also need to provide photo identification and custody papers if applicable.

Completed applications and documentation may be mailed or hand-delivered to Learning Center coordinator Haley Cooprider, 820 W. Main St., Smithfield, VA 23430 by May 1. Families will be notified of their acceptance status by June 1. If accepted, at least one parent or guardian must attend an orientation. Proof of residency must be provided at that time.

Questions may be directed to the school’s office staff or to Cooprider at 757-357-4393. The Learning Center Program is funded through the Virginia Preschool Initiative and eligibility for participation is based on criteria set by the Virginia Department of Education.