Program Scholarships
Providing support so all students in our community can receive early childhood experiences.
Early Learning Scholarships
Through state and local resources, White Bear Lake ISD624 preschool can help many qualifying families attend early childhood programs. A family may qualify for Voluntary PreK funding, Pathway I or Pathway II. Once we review your application we will send you the appropriate scholarship forms to complete. Scholarships will be distributed on an availability basis. Children must be 3 years old by September 1, 2025 and not 5 years old by September 1, 2025
Voluntary PreK (4 years old by September 1, 2025 and not 5 years old by September 1)
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is high-quality, publicly funded prekindergarten programs. Programs across Minnesota are able to serve over 12,000 children throughout the state in 208 school districts and charter schools. White Bear Lake offers VPK at the following school sites: Birch Lake, Lakeaires, Oneka, Otter Lake, Vadnais Heights and Willow Lane.
Due to the change in Minnesota law, the eligibility requirements for the White Bear Lake preschool program has changed beginning in the 2025-26 school year.
Children are eligible for VPK if they are four years of age as of September 1, 2025 and not Kindergarten age eligible in the calendar year in which the school year begins and meet one of the following criteria:
- Qualify for educational benefits
- Qualify using state general financial eligibility requirements
- Is an English Language Learner
- Is an American Indian
- Experienced homelessness in the last 24 months
- At-risk Early Childhood Screening score
- Is in foster care, kinship care or is in need of child protection services
- Has a parent who is incarcerated
- Has a parent who is a migrant or seasonal agricultural laborer
If you are interested in enrolling in White Bear Lake VPK but unsure if your child meets the new eligibility requirements, please contact the office 651-653-3100 or complete the application.