INTRODUCTION Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program Description The Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program prepare early learners for success in kindergarten and beyond. Children must live in Florida and be 4 years old on or before September 1st of the current school year to be eligible. The program helps build a strong foundation for school using educational materials that are geared to various stages in a child’s development. Florida Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten is provided by Duval County Public Schools for pre-school age children. Families may choose a school year program consisting of 540 instructional hours (August-June) or a summer program consisting of 300 instructional hours of classes (June-August). Parents may elect to send their children to Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten during the summer instead of during the school year. Both programs are free. Some of our families participate in the Head Start program at one of nine sites. The district has partnered with Lutheran Services of Florida to provide quality early childhood education to three- and four-year-old students who qualify for the program. Families interested in additional information about Head Start should call (904)362-1632. Vision: Every student is inspired and prepared for success in college or a career, and life. Mission: To provide educational excellence in every school, in every classroom, for every student, every day.