LCPS has 189 funded Head Start, PreK seats still available
LCPS has 189 funded Head Start and New Mexico PreK seats still available for 2026-27, according to an early childhood report going to the school board Tuesday.
District early childhood programs are about three-quarters full as Board of Education prepares to review annual report Tuesday
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - Nearly 190 funded early childhood seats remain available in Las Cruces Public Schools as the district begins the 2026-27 school year, according to an annual report scheduled to go before the Board of Education on Tuesday.
LCPS had 189 open seats across its Head Start and New Mexico PreK programs as of Aug. 24.
Head Start had enrolled 309 children against a funded capacity of 413, putting the program at 75% capacity. New Mexico PreK had enrolled 248 children out of 333 funded seats, or about 74% capacity.
The numbers are part of an Early Childhood Programs Annual Report scheduled to be presented during the board’s 4 p.m. work session Tuesday. The item is listed as a report and information item, with no board action scheduled.
Programs span most LCPS elementary schools
LCPS operates three major early childhood programs: Head Start, New Mexico PreK and developmental disability preschool.
Head Start is an income- and need-based, federally funded full-day program. The district operates 26 Head Start classrooms.
New Mexico PreK is a state-funded full-day program for children ages 3 and 4, with 19 classrooms across the district.
LCPS also operates 28 developmental disability preschool classrooms providing special education services based on students’ individualized education programs.
Combined, the three programs operate 73 classrooms across 23 of the district’s 25 elementary schools. Central and Sunrise elementary schools do not house early childhood classrooms.
Nearly $9.7 million supports Head Start and PreK
LCPS reports nearly $9.7 million in combined resources for its Head Start and New Mexico PreK programs this year.
Head Start accounts for about $5.74 million, including approximately $4.59 million in federal funding and a $1.15 million non-federal match.
The district’s New Mexico PreK award totals about $3.97 million in state funding.
During the 2025-26 school year, LCPS early childhood programs served 651 children, according to the district’s presentation. Head Start recorded an attendance rate of 87.56%, while New Mexico PreK reported 91.4%.
The district also reported serving more than 137,000 meals and providing family support and engagement services through its early childhood programs.
The Board of Education work session begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the boardroom at the Dr. Karen M. Trujillo Administration Complex, 505 S. Main St., Suite 249.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
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