Welcome to Head Start and Pre-K Programs!

VPK

Head Start

Parent Handbooks

VPK Enrollment

VPK Wraparound Program

Screening for Type 1 Diabetes

The Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Program was signed into law by former Governor Jeb Bush in 2005. Its goal is to make sure every Florida four year old is prepared for kindergarten. The Martin County School District is participating by offering a free, quality, VPK Program during both the school year and summer months. For the school year session, children must be four years old by September 1st of the current school year. For the summer session, children must be age eligible to enter kindergarten in August. Children who take part in the school year session are not eligible for the summer program.

Parents/caregivers of students who meet these requirements are encouraged to register their child for the VPK program offered at their home-zoned elementary school.

2026-2027 Registration begins January 1, 2026

https://www.martinschools.org/article/2607488

Step 1: Create or Log Into the FOCUS Parent Portal (or add a child if you already have one)

All families must use the FOCUS Parent Portal to apply for School Choice.

• New to MCSD:

  • Create a FOCUS Parent Portal account.

  • Complete Pre-Registration for Enrollment if you are not ready to upload documents yet
    or

  • Complete New Student Registration (Full Registration) if you are ready to fully enroll.

• Current MCSD families:

  • Log into your existing FOCUS Parent Portal.

  • Add your VPK child under your parent account if they are not already listed.

Complete Step 2 if your child is not zoned for the school you are requesting.

Step 2: Submit the School Choice Application

• Beginning January 1, 2026, families may apply for School Choice for all grade levels, including VPK and Kindergarten.

• Complete the School Choice Application 2026–27 in the left-side menu under your child’s name in FOCUS.

• Martin County residents receive priority over non-residents.

• Families attending an out-of-zone school must provide their own transportation.

Step 3: Apply for the VPK Voucher

Beginning January 1, 2026, families must apply for a VPK voucher through the Early Learning Coalition.

• Go to: https://www.elcirmo.org/voluntary-pre-kindergarten/

This step is required for all children enrolling in VPK, regardless of the school selected.

Step 4: Wait for VPK Program Follow-Up

• Beginning in February, VPK staff will begin contacting families with their acceptance status.

• Families will receive an email with next steps, including instructions for full VPK enrollment, similar to the annual registration process for K–12 students.

• Final enrollment is completed through the FOCUS Parent Portal once directions are sent.

For families who applied through the school choice process:

• Official notifications will be sent via email and posted in the Focus Parent Portal starting in April 2026.

Important Notes

• The new school year begins August 10, 2026.

• If a VPK at a school is full, students will be placed on a waitlist or you will have the option to have your child attend their 2nd or 3rd choice.

• If your child will attend their home-zoned school, no School Choice application is required.

Need Help?

Our VPK and Head Start Family Services Workers are happy to support families with questions, registration, or any part of the enrollment process.

Please contact the Family Services Worker assigned to the school or program you are registering for.

VPK at JBE, CLE, Felix, HSE & PSLC
Nancy Vega
📞 (772) 219-1610, Ext. 38139
✉️ vegan1@martinschools.org

VPK at PCE, BCE, CGE, & PWE
Jency Cerrato
📞 (772) 219-1610, Ext. 38259
✉️ cerratj@martinschools.org

Warfield VPK
Maria Perez
📞 (772) 597-2551, Ext. 51129
✉️ perezm@martinschools.org

Warfield VPK
Maria Mendoza
📞 (772) 597-2551, Ext. 51278
✉️ mendozm@martinschools.org

VPK at JDP, & SWE
Beverly Francis
📞 (772) 219-1580, Ext. 43182
✉️ francib@martinschools.org

2024-25 Registration

We are still enrolling for this current school year!

For more information on how to register your child for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program, please call:

VPK at JBE, CLE, Felix, HSE & PSLC
Nancy Vega
📞 (772) 219-1610, Ext. 38139
✉️ vegan1@martinschools.org

VPK at PCE, BCE, CGE, & PWE
Jency Cerrato
📞 (772) 219-1610, Ext. 38259
✉️ cerratj@martinschools.org

Warfield VPK
Maria Perez
📞 (772) 597-2551, Ext. 51129
✉️ perezm@martinschools.org

Warfield VPK
Maria Mendoza
📞 (772) 597-2551, Ext. 51278
✉️ mendozm@martinschools.org

VPK at JDP, & SWE
Beverly Francis
📞 (772) 219-1580, Ext. 43182
✉️ francib@martinschools.org

Please click here for more information.

For the 2025-2026 school year, VPK is being offered at the following sites: