San Antonio Expands Free Preschool to Help Close Kindergarten Readiness Gap

New citywide program offers 2,000 free preschool seats to low-income and working-class families

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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A new citywide preschool program in San Antonio, Texas called Pre-K 4 SA is working to boost kindergarten readiness among low-income children. The program offers 2,000 free preschool seats for 3- and 4-year-olds, with 80% of the seats going to qualifying families. The program takes a "whole child" approach, focusing on academic as well as social-emotional and motor skill development. Students who have completed the program have scored higher than the state average on third grade math and reading tests.

Why it matters

Nationwide, there is a substantial gap in kindergarten readiness between the poorest families and the wealthiest, with a roughly 20% difference. Low-income children often have less access to high-quality early learning opportunities that can boost school readiness. Citywide preschool programs like Pre-K 4 SA aim to help close this gap and ensure all children, regardless of family income, receive a strong foundation for success in school and beyond.

The details

Pre-K 4 SA is funded through the city's sales tax and offers an unusually broad mix of services, including healthy cooking classes, mobile vaccination clinics, and "family cafes" to help parents with job applications and other needs. The program also provides free bus transportation to its South Education Center location. In addition to academic instruction, the preschools focus on developing social-emotional and motor skills through activities like using tongs to eat lunch and engaging in "risky play" outdoors.

  • Pre-K 4 SA opened in 2013.
  • The program expanded last year to include four infant and toddler classrooms in its new South Education Center.

The players

Pre-K 4 SA

A citywide preschool program in San Antonio, Texas that offers 2,000 free preschool seats for 3- and 4-year-olds, with 80% of the seats going to qualifying low-income and working-class families.

Sandra Mosqueda

A mother whose 2-year-old son, Atreus, is part of the inaugural class of infants and toddlers receiving free preschool through Pre-K 4 SA.

Sarah Baray

The CEO of Pre-K 4 SA.

Tonda Brown

The Chief of Schools at Pre-K 4 SA.

Deziree Arce

A teacher who has worked at Pre-K 4 SA for nine years.

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What they’re saying

“The quality is so high that even families who could afford to go anywhere try to get into our schools.”

— Sarah Baray, CEO of Pre-K 4 SA (wbal.com)

“When I see kids that come from, like, where I came from, I'm giving them something that I never got.”

— Deziree Arce, Pre-K 4 SA teacher (wbal.com)

What’s next

More than 1,600 families were on Pre-K 4 SA's waitlist this school year, so the program is working to expand to meet the growing demand for affordable, high-quality preschool in San Antonio.

The takeaway

Citywide preschool programs like Pre-K 4 SA are playing a crucial role in helping to close the kindergarten readiness gap between low-income and wealthy families. By providing free, high-quality early education and wraparound services, these initiatives are setting children up for success in school and beyond, regardless of their family's income level.