Enrollment Information

To apply for 2026-2027 please complete an ACS application:

families new to acs  - click here to complete a new acs application     

families with children in acs should log into their infinite campus parent portal (click here) and add a new student application 

Open Enrollment is December 1-February 27. Applications after this will be reviewed as received. Please upload the documents requested in the district application (birth certificate, parent ID, proofs of residence). If you already have a child in ACS, applying through your parent portal will save time, as this will populate the household information. For assistance please call 828-350-2926.

**To be approved for the no cost NC Pre-K program for 4-year-olds, you will need to fill out an ACS application (linked above) AND apply through the Buncombe Pre-K portal.**

Enrollment Options:

Children must be 3 or 4 as of August 31 to apply, and live in the Asheville City Schools district.  Pre-K 4s are prioritized for enrollment. Due to limited space, out of district enrollment will only be considered for ACS employees and children with siblings in ACS.  Preschool hours are 8:00-2:30 Monday-Friday, and classrooms follow the ACS calendar.

Preschool Classrooms:

Our Preschool classrooms blend the following enrollment options:

NC Pre-K

No-cost enrollment option for children who are 4 as of August 31 and meet eligibility guidelines:

Family Size	NC Pre-K Maximum Income
2	$56,372
3	$69,636
4	$82,900
5	$96,164

Over-income applications may be considered for children with identified disabilities, developmental need, chronic health conditions, or limited English proficiency.

Head Start

No-cost enrollment option for children who are 4 by August 31 and meet eligibility requirements:

Family Size	Head Start Maximum Income
2	$21,150
3	$26,650
4	$32,150
5	$37,650

Asheville City Schools currently accepts Pre-K 4s in Head Start who also qualify for NC Pre-K. Pre-K 3s who have childcare subsidy can apply for tuition enrollment via subsidy; Pre-K 3s receiving Exceptional Children's services can also be considered for placement in our Developmental Day slots through the EC department.

Tuition

Fee-based enrollment option for children who are not eligible for no-cost programs. Childcare subsidies are also accepted at all sites. Pre-K 4s are prioritized.

Tuition Option	Monthly Fee*
School Day (8:00-2:30)	$875
Extended Day (7:30-3:30 at elementary sites, 8:00-4:00 at AHS)	$975
ACS Staff Rate (7:30-3:30 at elementary sites, 8:00-4:00 at AHS)	$725

*Tuition families who do not qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch may purchase Breakfast and Lunch through the cafeteria or pack meals.  

Meal Costs for Tuition Students	Daily Cost / Average Monthly Cost
Breakfast	$1.50 / $31.50
Lunch	$3.25 / $68.25
Snack	Included
Total Cost to Tuition Families	$4.75 / $99.75

 

Summer Care may be offered based on grant funding.

Enrollment Process

Families who are interested in Preschool enrollment for 2026-2027 should complete an ACS application and select Pre-K during the open enrollment window, December 1-February 27. The link to apply will be posted on this page once available.  Preschool capacity is limited and varies by location and enrollment option, as each classroom has designated spots for tuition and income-based programs.  Information received after the open enrollment window will be processed as received, based on capacity.

Tuition assignments typically take place in April, using a lottery process by site. 

No-cost enrollment through NC Pre-K requires an additional application through the Buncombe Pre-K portal.  Preschool staff will contact families who have submitted ACS applications about next steps for NC Pre-K.  These assignments typically begin in May, pending approved NC Pre-K applications. NC Pre-K families eligible for Head Start will be contacted about steps to enroll in Head Start, which provides additional resources for families and our program.