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PreSchool Enrollment

Westside Union School District (WUSD) utilizes a comprehensive assessment process to identify preschool-aged children (ages 3 to 5) who may require special education services. WUSD does not provide a general education preschool program. As such, students must be assessed and determined to meet eligibility for special education in order to participate in the preschool program.

Enrollment and Assessment Process

The district follows "Child Find" procedures to identify and evaluate children with suspected disabilities. The process includes:

  1. Referral: Parents or guardians who have concerns about their child’s development (such as speech, motor skills, or social behavior) can initiate a request for an assessment. For preschool-aged children, this is coordinated through the Student Support Services department.
  2. Enrollment: Parents will need to follow the two step enrollment process below.
  3. Assessment Plan: Student Support Services will contact the parent to gather information about the preschool child in order to determine areas of “suspected disability.” An assessment plan will be mailed to the parent and returned to Student Support Services.
  4. Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation: Once consent is provided, a team of professionals—which may include psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and specialized teachers—conducts a formal assessment of the child's developmental areas.
  5. IEP Meeting: After the evaluation, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting is held. This team, which includes the parents, reviews the results to determine if the child meets the eligibility criteria under California law for one of the 13 qualifying disability categories.
  6. Attendance: If the child meets eligibility for special education and requires attendance in WUSD’s Special Day Class program, the class meets for 2.5 hours per day, four days per week (Tuesday-Friday).
  7. Placement Goal: The district’s goal is to provide services in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) that allows the child to make meaningful progress toward their developmental goals.

For children who meet eligibility requirements, the district provides a continuum of services tailored to their specific needs:

  • Special Day Class (SDC): WUSD offers Special Day Classes (mild/moderate and moderate/severe) specifically designed for preschool children who require more intensive, specialized instruction in a small-group setting.
  • Related Services: Eligible students may also receive support such as Speech and Language Services, Occupational Therapy, etc.
  • Direct Speech Services: Speech services will be provided at the child’s School of Residence (SOR) for students meeting eligibility for Speech and Language Impairment ONLY.

If you have specific concerns about a child, you can contact the Student Support Services department directly or use the district's Let’s Talk feature to submit an inquiry.

Step 1: Complete an online enrollment application 

  • Online only (no paper applications)
  • Create an account to submit your student’s application

🟢 PreSchool Enrollment Applications

Step 2: Submit required documents in Let’s talk 

​​✅​ Documents Needed (Upload ALL at once) 

☐ Verification of Residency and Statement of Residence (English) (Español)

☐ Two utility bills (Click here)

☐ Immunization Record (English) (Español)

☐ Proof of Birth (TK–1 required) 

  •     Birth Certificate, Passport, Baptismal Certificate, Proof of Birth Affidavit 
  •     Hospital Certificate is NOT acceptable 

☐ If you are not the parent, please provide Guardianship or Foster paperwork

☐ IEP or 504 (if applicable) 

☐ Preschool Parent Questionnaire (English) (Español)