Does Judson ISD Have Free Pre-K? Eligibility, Pre-K 3 & Other Options

A two-income family in Converse starts planning for their 3-year-old. Their combined income is above the free-meal limit, and neither parent serves in the military. Then they learn three things in a row: Judson ISD no longer offers Pre-K 3, district pre-K 4 is only for children who meet state criteria, and the nearest city program would charge them tuition. Many Northeast families run into the same wall.

The short answer

• Judson and SCUC give free, full-day pre-K 4 only to children who meet a Texas criterion.
• Judson ended Pre-K 3 in 2025. SCUC's Pre-K 3 is full, and its paid seats are only for district employees.
• Neither district takes part in Pre-K 4 SA, so families there pay tuition at the city program.
• If your child doesn't qualify, look at Pre-K 4 SA tuition seats, Bezos Academy, Head Start, charters and licensed centers.

SchoolPath wrote this guide for Northeast families sorting through that maze. It explains who qualifies in each district, how to register, what changed in Judson, what House Bill 2 means for paid pre-K, and how families who fall outside the rules can still find a good spot.

Who qualifies for free pre-K in Texas

Texas public school districts must offer free pre-K to 4-year-olds who meet at least one state criterion, and some districts serve eligible 3-year-olds too. The criteria are the same in Judson, SCUC and every other district:

A child needs to meet only one criterion. The income test is the one most middle-income families miss, since the free and reduced-price meal limit is 185% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that is roughly $59,000 a year. Check your district's current figure, since limits update each July.

The age cutoff is September 1. A child must be 4 on or before September 1 of the school year to enroll in pre-K 4.

Judson ISD pre-K for 2026-27

Judson ISD offers free, full-day pre-K 4 at its elementary campuses for children who meet a state criterion. The district does not sell tuition seats to families who do not qualify.

What to bring to registration. Judson asks families to bring originals to the campus: the child's birth certificate, proof of address, a parent's photo ID, immunization records, the home language survey, and proof of income. If you qualify through military service, foster care or the Star of Texas Award, bring those documents too.

Registration timing. Judson typically opens new-student registration in mid-May (May 18 in 2026), and bus sign-up is due in early August, before school starts. Register early so eligibility can be verified before the first day.

Pre-K 3 is gone. On June 23, 2025, the Judson ISD board voted 6-1 to eliminate the district's program for 3-year-olds, as the San Antonio Express-News reported. Superintendent Milton Fields told Texas Public Radio that about 360 children had been enrolled in Pre-K 3 the year before.

TPR reported the cut meant 18 fewer teachers and 18 fewer paraprofessionals, saving about $2 million. When Judson expanded Pre-K 3 in 2020, families who did not qualify could pay about $450 a month. That option no longer exists.

"Is Judson ISD shutting down?"

No. The question shows up in searches because of budget news, but the district is not closing.

• Judson adopted a deficit budget in June 2025.
• In February 2026, trustees voted to close four campuses starting in 2026-27: Judson Middle School, Park Village Blended Learning Academy, Ed Franz Leadership Academy and Rolling Meadows Elementary. Community Impact linked the closures to a $37 million shortfall.
• In April 2026, TPR reported the district cut 536 positions to address a projected $35 million deficit for 2026-27.

Judson continues to serve students across Converse, Live Oak, Universal City and parts of Northeast San Antonio. If your child would have attended Rolling Meadows Elementary, check which campus your address now feeds into, since that is where pre-K 4 enrollment happens.

SCUC ISD pre-K for 2026-27

Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD offers free pre-K 4 for children who meet a state criterion. Families register through Skyward, the district's online student system.

Pre-K 3 is full. SCUC's registration page says the Pre-K 3 program is full for 2026-27. Children who qualify through special education are the exception.

Paid seats are for employees only. SCUC offers tuition-based pre-K only for district employees' children. The 2025-26 flyer lists $450 a month for children of non-classroom staff and no cost for children of classroom teachers. We found no paid option for community families.

The November 2026 tax election. SCUC put a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election on the November 2026 ballot as Proposition A.

The district describes it as a 12-cent increase to the maintenance and operations tax rate, citing an $8 million deficit, and estimates about $15 million a year in added funding. It covers general operations and is not specific to pre-K. SchoolPath takes no position on it.

Judson and SCUC side by side

What HB 2 changes for paid pre-K

House Bill 2, the school finance bill the Texas Legislature passed in 2025, made two changes that matter here.

More children qualify. Children of classroom teachers now qualify for free pre-K in the district where the parent teaches. If one parent teaches at a Judson or SCUC campus, ask about this criterion.

Tuition pre-K becomes harder to offer. Districts may keep tuition-based pre-K through 2026-27. Starting in 2027-28, Texans Care for Children explains, a district may offer tuition pre-K only if a state-designated intermediary confirms no eligible private provider is available. Comal ISD has already announced it will end its tuition program, citing HB 2 and district growth.

For Judson and SCUC families, a paid district seat is unlikely going forward. Plan for alternatives now.

What military families should know

If a parent is on active duty, the child qualifies for free pre-K in Judson, SCUC and every other Texas district. That covers many families connected to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. Bring military ID and orders to registration, and contact the district before you arrive on PCS orders. Our Randolph CDC and military pre-K guide covers on-base care too.

If your child doesn't qualify: the real options

1. Pre-K 4 SA tuition seat. Families who live in the City of San Antonio or its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) can enroll, even from Judson or SCUC, but pay tuition on a sliding scale from $0 to about $9,750 a year. When we last checked (July 2026), East on Eisenhauer Road was the only center still accepting 2026-27 applications. Many Universal City, Schertz and Cibolo addresses are outside the city and ETJ, so check first.
2. Bezos Academy Universal City. A free, Montessori-inspired preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds from families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, which is $132,000 for a family of four in 2026. Admission is by lottery, and the day ends at 3:30 p.m. See our Bezos Academy guide.
3. Head Start. Free and income-based, with family support services.
4. Charter schools with pre-K. Ask each how it handles children who do not meet state criteria, and whether it charges tuition.
5. Licensed child care centers and preschools. Check license and inspection history on the Texas Health and Human Services child care search, and ask about Texas Rising Star status.
6. Child care assistance. Lower-income working families may qualify for subsidized care through Workforce Solutions Alamo.

Comparing the options by cost and hours

For working parents, hours often decide the choice as much as cost. A free program that ends midafternoon may still require paid after-care, while a sliding-scale seat with Extended Day can cover a full workday.

Featured school

Pre-K 4 SA East Education Center

• Grades: Pre-K 3–Pre-K 4
• Location: 5230 Eisenhauer Rd, San Antonio 78218
• Tuition: Free if eligible, up to ~$9,750/yr

View profile

Tips for proving eligibility

Keep a folder with your child's birth certificate, shot record and two recent proofs of address. If you qualify through income, bring pay stubs covering a full month for every working adult, or a current SNAP, TANF or Medicaid letter. If your home language is not English, answer the home language survey honestly, since it triggers testing that can qualify your child. If your circumstances change midyear, such as a job loss, ask the campus whether your child can be reassessed.

A planning timeline for next school year

Frequently asked questions

Find the right Northeast pre-K with SchoolPath

If your child qualifies, register early with Judson or SCUC and bring original documents. If not, you still have good choices, and the earlier you start, the more of them stay open. SchoolPath is a free school discovery platform for San Antonio-area families.

Tell SchoolPath about your child and what you need, such as hours, location and budget, and see pre-K, preschool and school options that fit. Then connect directly with the programs on your shortlist.