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Early Learning

Our Vision for Atlanta's Children: 

  • A seamless high-quality pathway from birth to college and career for every child born into the city of Atlanta.   
  • Path-changing, consistent, and strategic wrap-around supports for families and children, starting from birth 

We know that our work is one part of a broader early learning ecosystem. We're committed to working with partners across the ecosystem as well as to ensure that we: 

  • Create consistently high-quality academic and social-emotional growth opportunities for students in every APS classroom. 
  • Provide effective early interventions and supports for students with academic, emotional, or developmental needs. 
  • Promote student learning at school and at home by partnering with families to provide resources that develop resilience, support families in crisis, and foster an understanding of the PK -3 continuum. 
  • Ensure that our teachers are highly-qualified and motivated instructional leaders, who are supported and developed in order to implement research-based best practices. 
  • Support school leadership and district stakeholders in building a robust understanding of early learning practice and impact in order to create a community of advocates. 
  • Collaborate with city-wide providers to ensure equitable access to Pre-K for all students, develop common quality and improvement initiative, and create a streamlined birth to school experience. 

What My Child Will Learn

The Georgia Pre-K Program in Atlanta Public Schools (APS) helps four-year-olds build a strong foundation for Kindergarten readiness. Teaching and learning are guided by the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS), which describe what children should know and be able to do at this age.

Learning Through the GELDS

In APS Pre-K classrooms, children grow in all areas of development, including:

  • Language & Literacy – building vocabulary, listening and speaking skills, and early reading and writing.
  • Mathematics – exploring numbers, counting, patterns, shapes, measurement, and problem-solving.
  • Social & Emotional Development – learning to share, take turns, follow directions, manage emotions, and work with others.
  • Physical Development – strengthening large and small muscles through movement, play, and hands-on activities.
  • Science & Inquiry – asking questions, observing, experimenting, and learning about the world around them.
  • Creative Arts – expressing ideas and feelings through music, dance, art, and dramatic play.

Frog Street Pre-K Curriculum

Atlanta Public Schools uses the Frog Street Pre-K Curriculum to support high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction that is aligned with the GELDS. Frog Street helps children learn through:

  • Engaging themes and stories that connect to children’s interests and real-life experiences.
  • Hands-on centers and activities that build early literacy, math, science, and problem-solving skills.
  • Social–emotional lessons that help children practice self-control, kindness, and conflict resolution.
  • Family connection ideas that make it easy to extend learning at home.

Kindergarten Readiness Skills

Our goal is for children to feel confident and prepared for Kindergarten. In APS Pre-K, children have daily opportunities to:

  • Recognize letters, sounds, numbers, shapes, and colors.
  • Listen to and follow multi-step directions.
  • Use words to express needs, feelings, and ideas.
  • Work independently and with classmates in small groups.
  • Develop curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning.

What Families Can Expect

APS Pre-K classrooms are led by qualified teachers who participate in ongoing professional learning and follow all guidelines of the Georgia Pre-K Program. Families can expect:

  • Learning through play and exploration in a safe, nurturing environment.
  • A consistent daily routine, including morning meeting, learning centers, outside play, rest time, and closing circle.
  • Small-group instruction and individualized support based on students’ needs and progress.
  • Regular communication with families about classroom activities and student growth.
  • Suggestions for simple activities at home that reinforce Pre-K and Kindergarten readiness skills.

Together, the GELDS, the Frog Street Pre-K Curriculum, and strong school–family partnerships help ensure that every APS Pre-K student is on the path to success in Kindergarten and beyond.