Preschool Programs

ECEAP is the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program that is free for eligible families. Highline ECEAP programs work together to enroll 3 to 4 year old children for school. Once your ECEAP application is complete, eligibility will be determined. Once selected for enrollment, children are placed at sites based on address, family need and available openings.

These classes are half-day, AM/PM and run Monday-Thursday. The Des Moines Elementary and Seahurst Elementary programs are School Day programs.  Classes run Monday through Thursday and some Fridays. 

Families must first complete an application to determine eligibility. 

Please click on the link below to download and complete your application for the 2024-25 school year:

ECEAP APPLICATION  

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Our neighborhood programs work together to enroll 3 to 4 year old children for school. Once complete, your child’s application places them on the waiting list. Once selected for enrollment, children are placed at sites based on address, family need and available openings.

Please contact the site nearest to your address if you have any questions.  Completed applications can be emailed, mailed or dropped off at the locations below.  Please note summer hours may vary. 

CONTACT/SITES

This preschool program is part of the Developmental Preschool and is for typically developing children from the community. Children will learn along with preschool students with special needs. Certificated early childhood teachers lead these classes. Spots are limited, and enrollment is on a first come first serve basis. These are half-day AM/PM classes running Monday-Thursday. Families must pay $100/month for this program.

If you are interested in a place in the Community Peer program, please contact Amleset Legesse.

Developmental Preschool programs are free programs with specially designed instruction for young children with special needs. Children must qualify through the ChildFind screening and evaluation process in order to be eligible for this program. Developmental Preschool Programs are located in four Highline Elementary schools and at Valley View Early Learning center.

For families with concerns about their child’s development, please go to our Child Find information page.

Highline Public Schools’ Midway Preschool program is available to children who turned 3 or 4 by August 31 and who reside in the Midway Elementary service area in Des Moines.
Who: Children who turned 3 or 4 by August 31 in the Midway Elementary service area in Des Moines
What: An early learning experience offering a program focused on social-emotional development and foundational skills in language, literacy and math
Where: Midway Elementary

While at Midway, hours will be Monday thru Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Transportation is not provided. 

Enrollment is first-come, first-serve.

Location

Midway Elementary 
22447 24th Avenue South
Des Moines, WA 

ReadyK! is a transitional kindergarten program for:

• Children who will be 5 years old by August 31, making them eligible to begin kindergarten in the fall
• Children who have had little or no access to a high quality early learning experience
• Children who demonstrate a need for early entrance, as determined by our ReadyK! screenings

Questions? Please reach out to our early learning team at 206.631.3396 or readyk@highlineschools.org.

ReadyK! students will start school in late fall. The program will be located in various schools across the district. In fall, students will return to their home school for their kindergarten program. Families interested in the ReadyK program should complete a preschool interest form. Students must be eligible and are screened for placement in all Highline early learning preschool programs before they are referred to ReadyK.