CFISD Renews Tuition-Based Pre-K for 2026–27, Expanding Early Learning Access
For the second year in a row, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD will offer a tuition-based pre-kindergarten program, giving families whose children don’t meet state eligibility requirements another pathway to enroll in early childhood education.
The Texas Education Agency–approved program first launched in the 2025-26 school year, and CFISD has confirmed it will continue through 2026-27. The program is available to children who turn 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2026.
For families who don’t qualify for free pre-K under state guidelines—such as income, language, or military status—this option helps close a gap many parents face: wanting their child in a full-day school environment, but without access to one through public education.
The tuition-based pre-K will be available at all CFISD elementary campuses, depending on space. If a student’s home campus is full, families will be offered a spot at a nearby campus with availability.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
The cost remains the same as the previous year:
- $650 per month for both residents and non-residents
- $600 per month for CFISD employees
- A $50 non-refundable registration fee applies to all participants
Registration begins in March for CFISD employees and April for all other families, including non-residents. More information, including registration links and a list of participating campuses, will be available on the district’s pre-K webpage.
As part of enrollment, parents will be asked to sign an agreement that outlines the program’s expectations, including attendance, hours of operation, payment deadlines, and late pickup policies.
CFISD’s program continues to follow the state’s Pre-Kindergarten Guidelines and aligns with full-day early learning models that research suggests may support long-term student outcomes. Still, the decision to expand access wasn’t about numbers alone.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
Last year’s rollout was met with strong interest from families in and around the district who had previously found themselves in limbo—interested in public pre-K, but ineligible. This continuation reflects the district’s effort to meet those families where they are and offer a more inclusive entry point into the education system.
CFISD will also continue to offer free pre-K to families who meet state eligibility criteria, including income thresholds and other qualifying factors. The tuition-based program is simply an additional option for families who don’t.
For more information and updates, families can visit cfisd.net/prek as registration dates approach.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
