GENTRY, AR – The Gentry School Board has authorized school administrators to begin preparations for opening a district Pre-Kindergarten program for the 2026-2027 school year. The program, which will be housed at Gentry Primary School, will initially include at least one classroom, with the potential to expand to two classrooms depending on Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) grant funding received by the district.
The enrollment process is expected to begin later this spring.
Earlier this year, the School Board approved the district’s participation in the ABC Program through the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Since that time, the district has:
· Distributed surveys to gauge community and staff interest
· Submitted the ABC grant application and budget overview
· Submitted the required licensing application for a state-approved early childhood program
· Started preliminary planning aligned with DESE Early Childhood Program Standards
Dr. Devon Conrad, Gentry’s Assistant Superintendent, told the Board there is significant interest for a school-based Pre-K program in the community based on surveys and feedback the district has received.
The district plans to operate at least one tuition-based classroom initially, with tuition set at $40 per day for 190 days, totaling $7,600 per student. Each classroom is projected to serve 20 students, resulting in an estimated operating budget of approximately $152,000 per classroom per year. If ABC grant funding is awarded, the district will return to the Board with a revised budget reflecting reduced district financial commitment.
Preparation efforts will include securing staff, classroom furnishings and instructional materials, playground equipment, curriculum and assessment tools, licensing compliance, and program oversight. District officials emphasize that beginning these preparations now is standard practice and ensures the program can open on time while meeting DESE Early Childhood and ABC Program quality standards.
“We are excited to expand high-quality early learning opportunities for families in our community,” Dr. Conrad said. “Starting preparations now allows us to ensure that students will have a seamless, well-organized Pre-K experience in August 2026, whether through tuition-based classrooms or with ABC funding support.
“By opening a district Pre-K program, we are giving children a strong start and helping families access programs that support school readiness,” Dr. Conrad added. “Our goal is to meet the highest standards in early childhood education so our students are ready to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.”
The district anticipates learning whether ABC grant funding will be awarded later this spring. Regardless of the funding outcome, preparations will ensure the program infrastructure is ready and fully compliant with state early childhood standards.
For more information about the Gentry School District Pre-K program, contact Dr. Conrad at dconrad@gentrypioneers.com.