Pre-K
White County Schools GA Lottery Pre-K program is an age-appropriate instructional program for 4-year-olds that prepares students for a successful transition to kindergarten and beyond.
White County Schools Pre-Kindergarten Lottery Process
The Pre-Kindergarten lottery application for the 2025-26 school year will be open from February 14th- 28th, 2025. Lottery registration will close on February 28th, 2025 at 5:00 PM. Lottery applications will NOT be accepted after February 28th at 5 PM for any reason. Completing the lottery application does not guarantee your child will be selected for a seat. Applications must have a valid email address and phone number. There is no need to contact the Pre-K site or the Office of Early Learning after you apply. You will receive a confirmation of your submission via email.
The lottery drawing will take place on March 4th, 2025. Notification of selection will be sent to the email provided on the lottery application. Please check your email, including spam and junk mail folders for notifications beginning on March 14th, 2025.
Requirements
- Your child must turn 4 years of age on or before September 1, 2025
- Parents/guardians of twins, triplets, multiple siblings, etc. who are age-eligible for Pre-Kindergarten are required to submit one application per child. Please note that all applications are selected individually and there is a chance that only one child will be selected for a seat on the roster.
Lottery Process
Seats are filled through a random selection lottery process. You must submit ONE application per child.
Pre-K Lottery Priority Acceptance List:
Priority 1: White County School District Employees
Employees may choose Mount Yonah Elementary School (MYES) or Mossy Creek Elementary School (MCES).
Students who live within the attendance zone of the selected school. Addresses will be verified.
Priority 2: Students Residing Within School Attendance Zones
Students living in the Mount Yonah and Mossy Creek school attendance zones. Students who live within the attendance zone of the selected school. Addresses will be verified.
Priority 3: White County Residents Outside Attendance Zones
Students who live in White County but outside the designated school attendance zones.
Priority 4: Georgia Residents Outside White County
Students who live outside of White County but within the state of Georgia.
Once all White County applicants have been selected for a roster and all waitlists have been exhausted, out-of-district applicants will be contacted to fill vacancies.
Once again, Parents will be notified via email regarding their child's selection status on March 10th, 2025.
Parents of students who are drawn will have until March 24th to complete online registration or their slot will be forfeited.
Pre-K Waiting List applications will continue to be accepted after the lottery, and students will be added to the site waiting list throughout the year.
School Year 2025 - 2026 Registration Link
If selected for placement in Bright From the Start Georgia PREK you will:
Complete the online registration progress for White County Schools.
When registering online, you will need:
When registering online, you will need:
Photo ID of the parent/guardian registering the student (government-issued photo ID, driver’s license, passport)
Age Documentation of the PREK child (original or certified copy of the birth certificate indicating 4 years old by September 1, 2025)
Proof of Guardianship (original birth certificate with parent name OR guardianship documents)
Proof of Residency (lease/property tax statement and current utility bill {gas/electric/water/sanitation/cable} OR address affidavit** within the last 30 days)
These forms are to be brought to the White County Board of Education at 136 Warriors Path by March 31st, 2025. These forms are completed during a health visit with your child’s healthcare provider.
Certificate of Immunization: Form 3231Certificate of Eye, Ear, Dental
Nutrition Exam: Form 3300 Child’s Social Security Card (original card or waiver)
Attendance Requirements
GA Lottery Pre-Kindergarten students follow the White County Schools calendar and abide by the White County Schools Attendance Policy. Students are expected to be in attendance for the full instructional day (7:45 am - 2:45 pm), every school day. Students who are absent for 10 consecutive days without a medical excuse must be removed from the class per state guidelines.
Pre-K teachers use Georgia Early Learning Development Standards (GELDS) to make every moment with your child a learning opportunity. To explore the GELDS, go to http://gelds.decal.ga.gov/.
*Please note, that community-based sites are independently operated and not affiliated with the White County Schools’ Pre-K Programs. Contact these locations for specific information regarding their Pre-K program. Their admission process including procedures and enrollment periods may vary.
WHITE COUNTY SCHOOLS | Bright From The Start PRE-K PROGRAMS
Mossy Creek Elementary School - 128 Horace Fitzpatrick Dr., Cleveland, GA 30528 706.865.5000
Mount Yonah Elementary School - 1161 Duncan Bridge Rd., Sautee, GA 30571 706-865-3514
If you have additional questions, please contact Danette Hasek at 706-865-2315 ext. 1809