Indianapolis Public Schools is ending free access to all in its full-day pre-K program.
The district announced June 3 that it will implement a sliding payment scale charging up to $150 a week for families who don’t qualify for federal assistance. That fee is on par with rates charged in neighboring school districts.
The change comes amid rising costs and state lawmakers’ decision last budget session to further limit access to Indiana’s pre-K voucher program for low-income families. The district has also supported the program through federal funds — including some that are no longer available.
Improving access to district-run pre-K was a promise of IPS’ ongoing Rebuilding Stronger reorganization plan, which seeks to restructure school assignments and create equity among district programs. Expanded access to high quality preschool has also been seen as a way to combat low reading scores — an ongoing priority of state education officials.
“We understand the frustration and challenges that this information may cause,” the district wrote on its website. “This was not an easy decision to make, but one thing will always hold true: Our commitment to our students and families will always remain at the forefront — even as we navigate these recent legislative changes and their financial impact on our district.”
What’s changing in the IPS pre-K program?
IPS previously offered free pre-K to families both in and outside of IPS district boundaries.
Officials say they will continue allowing families outside of the boundaries to enroll in the program. However, IPS families will get priority early in the process.
Starting in fall 2025, though, families will be charged on a sliding scale:
- Families who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will not be charged. It’s also free for families who qualify for free Medicaid and make below 130% of the federal poverty level. These families will need to apply for either a state or federal voucher program.
- Families that apply for free Medicaid at 130% to 185% of the federal poverty level will be eligible for a reduced rate at $100 a week.
- All other families will be charged $150 a week.
The program — considered by some to be IPS’ best-kept secret — enrolled about 600 students this year in full-day pre-K classrooms offered across 25 schools.
The district also offers a half-day developmental pre-K program for students who have special education needs. It’s unclear if this program will continue to be offered for free. IPS’ website did not address the half-day program, and IPS did not provide an interview before this story’s publication deadline.
About 165 students took advantage of the half-day program this year, according to a January school board presentation.
Why is IPS now charging for pre-K?
IPS is one of the few public school districts to have offered free pre-K to families of all income levels. And, it’s offered the program since 2013. But there have been signs over the last couple of years of financial concerns.
Chalkbeat Indiana reported in 2022 that as federal funds shrank for disadvantaged students at IPS, IPS leaned into an influx of temporary federal pandemic relief dollars to continue its program.
The district dedicated about 8% of its more than $210 million in pandemic funding to pre-K, Chalkbeat reported. But those dollars came to an end last year.
Then, this legislative session dealt a blow to pre-K programs across the state. Amid a gloomy state budget forecast, Indiana lawmakers reduced eligibility for low-income families to participate in the state’s pre-K voucher program, called On My Way Pre-K.
The program previously covered the costs of pre-K for families making below 150% of the federal poverty level — or a combined annual income of about $48,200 for a family of four. The new requirements restrict eligibility to families making 135% of the federal poverty level — or about $43,400 a year for that same family of four.
IPS leaders said online that the change cost the district more than half its On My Way Pre-K funding.
And, they’re not the only ones making changes. Other districts, such as Lawrence and Wayne townships, plan to increase rates this year. In fact, among other Marion County programs, IPS’ rates remain competitive.
Across nine other Marion County districts, rates range from as low as under $50 a week for half-day pre-K to as much as $265 a week for a full-day program with before and after care. Some private programs cost even more — up to $300 to $400 a week.
Patrick McAlister — who formerly led the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation and now serves as an independent education consultant — described the issue as not solely an Indianapolis problem, but as a statewide policy failure.
“It’s not the fault of any provider specifically,” McAlister said. “It’s the confluence of a lot of different factors that created this challenge for families. It really underlines the fact that we need to come together to figure out how to move forward.”
Access concerns extend beyond IPS
McAlister is part of a growing coalition of early childhood education advocates urging lawmakers to consider ways to expand access to a free preschool education — something called universal pre-K.
The increasing cost has created an access problem at a time when elementary reading scores have become a priority for state lawmakers. And, educators say placing students in a quality pre-K program can help.
In fact, IPS leaders said earlier this year that students who went to IPS pre-K passed Indiana’s third grade reading exam at a rate of 10 percentage points higher than students with no record attending IPS pre-K.
Rep. Blake Johnson, D-Indianapolis, introduced a bill last legislative session that would have allowed local governments to ask voters whether they would support a tax increase to fund universal pre-K in their county. But the bill died without a hearing.
Get the backstory
Rep. Bob Behning, chair of the House Education Committee, told Mirror Indy this spring that he couldn’t square the bill with feedback he’d heard from property owners seeking lower taxes. But, the Indianapolis Republican said he’s open to hearing more about the idea in the future.
McAlister says he’s hopeful legislators will give Johnson’s idea another look in the coming legislative session.
“I hope that members of the General Assembly are open to continuing this specific conversation about what is the revenue source that would allow communities to fund these programs themselves?” he said. “Given the fact that this isn’t a budget session, hopefully there’s more room for this conversation to happen.”
IPS community meetings are ongoing
IPS’ pre-K changes come alongside the creation of a new advisory group tasked by lawmakers with exploring the future of public school operations in Indianapolis.
The district is having a series of community conversations to kick off the effort. The next meeting is 6-8 p.m. June 5 at James Whitcomb Riley School 43. Additional meetings will be 6-8 p.m. June 11 at James Whitcomb Riley School 43 and 6-8 p.m. June 17 at William McKinley School 39.
The meetings are open to family, staff and community members. Registration is available online.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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