4K Programs

To support a smooth transition to school, 4K students will begin the 2025–2026 school year on a staggered schedule for readiness assessments, based on the first letter of their last name:

• A–D attend Monday, August 11
• E–J attend Tuesday, August 12
• K–N attend Wednesday, August 13
• O–S attend Thursday, August 14
• T–Z attend Friday, August 15

This staggered start is reflected on the 4K Student Calendar. 4K classes follow the same daily schedule as elementary schools: 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Families will receive a welcome call from their child’s 4K teacher before the school year begins.

There are two ways parents can complete the application for their child. 

1. They can visit the Parent section of this website and set up a Backpack account. Once it’s set up, open the Backpack account, look for “Enroll A Student,” and follow the instructions.

2. For families that do not have internet access, the application can be completed at each school. Parents are urged to bring all the required documents when they visit the school. Children do not have to live in the school attendance area to apply at that location.

Placement notifications will be sent via email on March 1, 2025 regarding your child's status. To check your child's application status, please log in to GCS Parent Backpack. Here you will be able to see your child’s information and current status.

List of 4K Program locations

Applications received after January 31, 2025 will be automatically placed on our waiting list. If we are able to offer placement, we will contact you via email.

Children enrolled in 4K will attend 7:45-2:15 each day.

The following documents are required for online or face-to-face applications:

• Photo ID from any state or country
• Two current “proof of residency” documents (all must contain property address). These can be a combination of:
• Current bills – i.e. electric, gas, water, cable
• Current mortgage statement or current signed lease agreement with landlord’s name and phone number
• Child’s Birth Certificate
• Signed Certificate of Immunization, Conditional Certificate of Immunization, or Religious Exemption Certificate (Religious Exemption Certificate provided by Health Department)

If your child is assigned to 4K at your assigned (home-based) elementary school, yes they will be provided bus transportation. Find your home-based school here.

Additionally some students may be eligible for bus transportation to/from the child development centers in Greenville County Schools, as indicated on the chart below, based on your assigned home-based school.

While placement at any location is not guaranteed for 4K, parents may request that their children attend another school through the 4K application in Parent Backpack. Please note that any assignments for 4K are for the 4K school year only. Kindergarten-12 parents may request that their children attend another school through Change in Assignment Choice (CIA) and/or applying to the school system’s Magnet Academies.

To check your child's application status, please log in to GCS Parent Backpack. Here you will be able to see your child’s information and current status.

If you have successfully submitted your application the status will show “Pending” or “In Review”.

If your application status is “Draft” please review the application and then complete by selecting submit. Please note that we are unable to view your application if it is in “Draft” status.

Please only submit one application per child. All Greenville County School 4K locations will be considered including your home-based school and parent requests made via Parent Backpack.

Child Find Support and Information.