Kindergarten Counts: building the foundation for lifelong learning.
Uplift Education is a safe, caring, tuition-free International Baccalaureate (IB) public charter kindergarten near you in North Texas — where your child learns more than the basics, in a close-knit school community.
Make a choice for your child that starts them off right.
Kindergarten is when the foundation for learning begins — the time when your child should learn the key building blocks that set them up for future success.
At Uplift Education, our kindergarten is unlike other kindergartens. Our unique curriculum doesn’t just teach the academic basics — it teaches children how to communicate, solve problems, be creative, and love learning. Uplift Education offers free kindergarten at campuses across Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, and DeSoto.
Scheduling a tour is one of the best ways to find out which kindergarten is the best fit for your child. See our Ultimate Kindergarten Tour Checklist to learn what to ask and what to look for on your tour.
Why does kindergarten matter for my child?
Kindergarten is where early skills turn into real confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving. Every child starts kindergarten a little differently — some are just learning their letters and numbers, while others already have a year or two of Pre-K (including many from the Uplift network) to build on.
Those habits last a lifetime — which is why choosing the right kindergarten matters.
Wondering whether kindergarten is worth it, or how it fits into your child’s development? Read more.
Kindergarten Counts Webinar
Get tips and tricks for selecting the right kindergarten for your child — and how your child, and you, can be ready for the first day.
How old does my child need to be for kindergarten?
In Texas, your child must be 5 years old by September 1 of the school year to enroll in kindergarten. Kindergarten isn’t legally required in Texas, but it builds the academic and social foundation most first-grade classrooms expect children to already have.
By September 1 of the school year
Tuition-free, always – no admission requirements.
One guaranteed path through twelfth grade
We go beyond ABCs and 123s.
At Uplift, kindergarten means strong academics, a caring community, and a school where your child’s whole self — mind, heart, and safety — is looked after every day.
Academics & life skills: powered by IB®
Uplift kindergartners learn through the International Baccalaureate® (IB) framework — a globally respected approach you won’t find at most other kindergartens. Instead of just memorizing facts, IB teaches strong academics and the life skills that go with them, right from day one.
Strong Academics, Taught Differently
Reading, writing, and math taught by caring, trained teachers, through hands-on exploration, not just worksheetsConfidence to Try New Things
Kids build curiosity and the confidence to explore, ask questions, and think for themselvesDual-Language Classrooms
English and Spanish literacy instruction available at select campuses, building bilingual skills from day oneCommunication & Problem-Solving
Kids learn to express themselves, listen to others, and work through real challengesReal-World Skills That Grow With Your Child
Skills that prepare them for 1st grade and carry all the way through 12th gradeAll Uplift schools are either IB authorized, or in the consideration or candidacy phase of authorization. To see the authorization status of each school, click here.
What will my child learn in kindergarten?
Every Uplift kindergarten follows the same five-subject curriculum. Here’s how
far your child travels in one year.
| Subject | Fall → Spring |
|---|---|
| Reading | Daily read-alouds build vocabulary, comprehension, and a love of stories |
| Phonics | Letter names and sounds → reading short sentences in decodable books (in English and Spanish for dual-language classrooms, through our Mosaico program) |
| Math | Counting to 10 → comparing shapes, measuring, and reading simple graphs |
| Science | Hands-on exploration of magnets and motion, light and shadows, plants, and animals |
| Social Studies | Community helpers → maps, culture, and Texas history |
Each week includes a simple “Talk About It at Home” prompt, connecting classroom learning to everyday moments.
Want the full quarter-by-quarter breakdown?
Well-being: a focus on the whole child
Academics are only part of the picture. We care about how your child feels, every single day.
Daily well-being checks
Every child is checked in on, every day, so no one slips through the cracks.Character development woven in
Kindness, responsibility, and respect are taught right alongside reading and math.Counselors on every campus
Trained social and behavioral support staff are on-site to help your child navigate big feelings, friendships, and challenges.
Your child is known, seen, and supported here — not just another face in the crowd.
Community: smaller schools, family feel
Uplift campuses are smaller and more close-knit than most district schools, which means something important: your family isn’t just a number.
Staff know your child by name
From the front office to the classroom, the adults on campus know who your child is.Parents are part of campus life
Families are welcomed and encouraged to volunteer, visit, and take part.A family feel for young scholars
Younger children feel safe, comfortable, and ready to learn.
Safety: always a top priority
We know safety is your top priority, and it’s ours too.
Secure, monitored campuses
Fenced, gated campuses with secure, monitored entryways.Caring, trained staff
Adults trained to look out for every child, every day.Clear check-in / check-out
Documented arrival and dismissal procedures, for your peace of mind.
Free, and as easy as 1, 2, 3.
No obligation, no application fee, and no testing to enroll — at any of our 20 campuses.
All you need is an email address to get started.
Simple and no-obligation. Most families finish in minutes.
Still not sure or have questions? We can’t wait to have you as part of the Uplift family.
Our results
Every senior accepted to college. Again.
For more than two decades, 100% of Uplift seniors have earned college acceptance — and most are the first in their family to go. That track record starts in kindergarten.
1,000+
seniors with 100% college acceptance
75%
first in their families to attend college
2X+
higher than the state average for college readiness
4X
the national college graduation rate
There’s an Uplift school near you.
Uplift Education serves families across the DFW metroplex — including Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, and DeSoto — with a tuition-free, quality education.
20
Campuses across DFW
45
Schools — primary, middle & high
Kindergarten questions, answered.
Everything families ask us most about enrolling a kindergartner at Uplift Education.
Yes. As a public charter school network, Uplift Education is tuition-free for all enrolled families. pulvinar dapibus leo.
In Texas, children must be 5 years old by September 1 of the school year to enroll in kindergarten.
Uplift Education offers free kindergarten at campuses across Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, DeSoto, and neighboring communities.
We prioritize the safety and security of our campuses. Uplift has extensive plans in place to address safety issues within our control at each of our campuses. Learn more about our Campus Security and Safety.
Uplift Education serves families throughout North Texas. Enter your address on our Locations Page to find the school nearest you.
Yes. Select campuses offer dual-language classrooms where children build literacy in both English and Spanish alongside their core kindergarten curriculum. Learn more about our multi-lingual options.
Across the year, your child will move from learning letters and counting to 10 through reading short sentences, adding and subtracting within 20, and exploring science and social studies topics — all through daily read-alouds and hands-on activities. See the full academic overview above.
Nothing! Kindergarten is where the learning can start. Our teachers meet every child where they are. You can also download our Uplift Guide to Kindergarten Readiness to help jumpstart your child’s skills.
We teach more than academics. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) network, we build communication, problem-solving, and creative thinking skills, plus a global mindset — setting your child up to succeed far beyond kindergarten.
IB stands for International Baccalaureate, a globally respected approach to education used in schools worldwide. It focuses on hands-on learning, critical thinking, and understanding the world beyond the classroom — not just memorizing facts.
Yes. Every Uplift campus has a social/behavioral counselor on-site, daily well-being checks for every student, and character development built directly into everyday lessons.
Our overall campuses are smaller than most district schools, creating a close, family-like community where staff get to know your child and your family personally.
Yes, and we encourage it! Parent involvement is a big part of the Uplift community, especially for our youngest scholars. Campuses have Volunteers in Partnership (VIP) groups, similar to PTAs. There are also family-centered events, parent-teacher conferences, and regular communication from teachers and staff. Uplift wants to partner with our parents on their child's education.
Applying is free and takes about 5 minutes. Create an account, fill out the application, and apply to up to three campuses. Applications open in October for the following school year and are accepted on a continual basis. Learn more about our lottery and application process.
Yes. Uplift offers a full path from Pre-K through 12th grade, so your child can grow with the same trusted network their entire school career. Your child’s spot is guaranteed for each consecutive year at Uplift Education.
100% of Uplift graduates are accepted to college, and they test college-ready at nearly 3 times the state average — a track record built over 30 years. Read more about our results.