Pre-K Admissions
The earliest years of a child's life are extraordinary—and we take that seriously.
Our Early Childhood (Pre-K) Program is where curiosity begins.
AGC’s center-based Early Childhood Program welcomes children ages 3-5 who live in Chicago.
All Pre-K students learn and grow together in the same learning community, and there are two types of enrollment slots available: Head Start (free, income-based) and tuition-based.
Ready to enroll? Complete the Pre-K application below to get started.
Questions? Reach out to preschool@agcchicago.org. We’re here to help!
External Page Links
Pre-K 2026-2027 Application Pre-K Enrollment Policy Early Childhood Program Overview
Head Start Slots
The Head Start program provides young children with early education and comprehensive support services designed to promote school readiness and family well-being. Head Start is free for families who qualify, and eligibility is determined by AGC’s partner organization, Start Early.
Designed for low-income families, the Head Start program is free of cost for families who qualify and meet some of the following criteria:
Age Eligibility
Children must be between 3-5 years of age to be eligible before September 1 of the enrolling year.
Residency Eligibility
Families must live within the City of Chicago.
Other Eligibility Factors
Priority is given to children who are diverse learners, in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or from families receiving public assistance. Learn more at benefits.gov.
Head Start enrollment is open for the 2026–27 school year. We currently have a waitlist for tuition-based slots, and we'd love to save you a spot!
To be added to the waitlist, apply for a Head Start slot, and/or if you have any other questions about AGC’s Early Childhood Program, please email preschool@agcchicago.org.
Tuition-Based Slots
Tuition-based slots are available for families who do not qualify for Head Start. Tuition is calculated based on family income and household size, so families pay what makes sense for their situation. Priority is given to current AGC siblings.
Age Eligibility
Children must be between 3-5 years of age to be eligible before September 1st of the enrolling year.
Residency Eligibility
Families must live within the City of Chicago.
Tuition is determined by family income and number of family members living in the household.
How to Calculate Your Tuition Estimate
If we receive more applications than we have spots, we use a fair, randomized process to determine enrollment.
Still have questions? We’re happy to help! Contact us at preschool@agcchicago.org.
