FAQ

Parents are notified of acceptance via email starting in June and no later than August 1, provided that the application is complete and all documents have been received.   We cannot determine eligibility until we have all required documents.

There are a few reasons a child is not accepted such as incomplete applications and limited seats awarded to Ascension Parish Schools by the Louisiana Department of Education.

All seats awarded to Ascension Parish School Board have strict program requirements and a child can only be awarded based on meeting all eligibility criteria (age and income), not on a first come, first serve basis.

 2025 INCOME ELIGIBILITY LEVELS (based on the Federal Poverty Levels)  

Head Start seats use the 100% level and other state pre-K programs use the 200% level

When completing the online application, parents should select their assigned school or preferred early learning center.  Our office will then work to match you to your preferred site or refer you to where there is an available seat to which you qualify.

Proof of residence includes the driver's license of the parent showing an Ascension Parish address.  Applicants to public school and Head Start sites must also submit an electric or gas bill that shows the name of the parent and the service address.  If the electric bill is not in the name of the parent or guardian, families may submit the bill showing the name of the person with whom they live.  After we determine eligibility you will be required to obtain an affidavit of residency showing that you and your child resides within that household. 

Affidavits do not need to be obtained until you know if your child will qualify for a  seat in our program.  

Student IEP's are used as one source of information for eligibility.  Student IEP information  is taken into consideration, however it does not necessarily automatically qualify children for a publicly funded seat.  Students are ranked based on need.  For example, a child with an IEP for a developmental delay would be ranked higher in need than a child with an IEP for speech articulation.  A child with multiple at-risk factors such as having an IEP and having a total household income below the 200% FPL would receive a higher priority than another child with an IEP from a higher income family.  Likewise, a child with a higher family income but with a more severe disability would be ranked higher in terms of "at risk" status.  All factors are taken into consideration when making eligibility determinations.  We try to place all 4 year olds with qualifying IEPs in our school sites.

No.  All children seeking seats in public school pre-k programs must complete an online application and provide all requested documentation.  This includes accurate and honest income information for all adults in the household.  Although your child may be determined to be eligible based on his/her needs as outlined in his/her IEP, we still need accurate income information for state and federal program funding purposes.  No child will be accepted without a complete application that includes total family income documentation.  

 If you have previously completed an application for any child in your family you may get this message .  The portal recognizes your email address and your phone number. 

Please email us at ascensionearlychildhood@apsb.org and provide us with your name along with the child 's name and birthdate that you are trying to complete the application for.  We will add the child to your family profile and send you a link to use to upload your current documents.  

Please visit the Office of Vital Statistics of the Louisiana Department of Heath  at   https://ldh.la.gov/page/635

We are required to collect your most current shot record, which must be signed and dated by a doctor.  We cannot accept "My Chart" print outs as proof of immunizations.  Please upload the current shot record, even if your child is in need of shots.  Our nurses will review the shot record and let you now what shots are due.  Your application is not considered complete without these records.  We can process your application with a shot record, even if your child has overdue shots, as long as your child receives the needed shots by the first day of school / program attendance.  Children can be accepted, but not enrolled, until shots are up to date.