Preschool Registration

Complete the ALX Preschool application

After completion of the ALX Preschool application form, the parent will be contacted by an ALX Preschool registrar within 20 business days.

Learn more about ALX Preschool.

Eligibility Requirements

The ALX Preschool Enrollment Coordinator will review and assign your application to an ALX Preschool registrar. The ALX Preschool registrar will contact the family within 20 business days of completing the ALX Preschool application form to verify the child’s age, address, and family income.  

1. Age: Child must be 3 or 4 years old by September 30

2. Residency: Family must reside in the City of Alexandria. Check your address using the
Attendance Zone Locator

3. Income: Family gross income (see chart below)

• Families with income below 200% of the federal poverty guideline percentage are eligible to apply. (Please refer to the Federal Poverty Guideline table below)
• Families with income between 201%–350% are eligible to apply if they meet one or more of the following criteria: 
  • Child identified with special needs and the child has an Individual Education Program (IEP).
  • Parents or guardians did not complete high school. 
  • Family is experiencing homelessness.
  • Parent is under 20 years old. 
  • Family speaks another primary language other than English.
  • Parent/guardian is having issues finding and maintaining stable employment or is a seasonal employee.
  • Parent is in jail or prison. 
  • Experiencing violence at home.
  • Concerns about alcohol and/or drug use. 
  • Parent/guardian is currently on long-term military deployment. 
  • Child lives in a foster care home.
  • Family is currently experiencing changes in the household or community that are causing stress at this time. 
• Families with income over 350% are also eligible to apply if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • Child identified with special needs and the child has an Individual Education Program (IEP).
  • Family is experiencing homelessness.
  • Parents or guardians did not complete high school.

2026 U.S. Gross Annual Federal Poverty Guideline Percentage

Please note: the poverty guidelines change annually. Source: HHS Poverty Guidelines

Families that do not qualify for the VPI program, please visit the following websites for childcare resources and Child Care Providers in Alexandria City.

• Child Care Providers

Families who complete registration within the specified timeframe will receive an email offer letter notification from an ALX Preschool program, if selected.

• Parents must accept or decline the offer letter within the given timeframe. If no response is received, it will be considered as a declined response.
• Priority is given to families at the lowest income levels and eligibility factors.
• If the program has reached enrollment capacity, qualifying families that completed their registration will be waitlisted and notified when space becomes available.

Your assigned ALX Preschool registrar will email the family with the school assignment, school start date, and other important information. 

The child must attend the first day of school.

Please note: Spaces are limited. Acceptance to the VPI program is not on a first-come, first-served basis. Only complete registrations can be processed for possible consideration for a space.  Priority is given to families at the lowest income levels and eligibility factors. Qualifying families that complete their registration will be placed on the VPI waitlist.

2026-2027 School Year Online Student Registration Forms 

2026–2027 school year registration forms must be completed entirely to be processed. After creating an online account, select "Alexandria City Public Schools VPI" for school selection. School assignment is determined by the Office of Early Childhood.  

You can also request printed forms by calling 703-619-8026 or emailing  vpiearlychildhood@acps.k12.va.us 

Shared Housing

If residing with someone else, the parent/legal guardian must complete a notarized Shared Housing Form and provide an original copy of the mortgage, deed (with a tax bill) or an original copy of the lease for the person with whom the parent/legal guardian and child(ren) are living. Additionally, the parent/legal guardian is required to provide two supporting documents (in the parent/legal guardian’s name) as listed in the registration form.

• Shared Housing Form English (PDF)

School Entrance Health Form 

Complete School Entrance Health Form: Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Health Form 

1. Physical examination report
2. Immunization record
3. TB Screening

Ages & Stages Questionnaires:  

As part of the registration process, a parent/guardian must complete a two-part questionnaire  (ASQ and ASQ S-E screener). The links to the questionnaires will be provided during the registration appointment.