Inclusive Peer Pre-K Classrooms

Online Registration is now closed for the Inclusive Peer Pre-K Classroom for the 2025/2026 School Year.

What is an inclusive Peer Pre-K Classroom?
Inclusive Peer Classroom (formerly Typical Peer Classroom)
This classroom follows an inclusive education model in which students with special education needs and typically developing peers learn together in the same environment.  The class promotes social-emotional learning, peer modeling, and individualized instruction within a supportive and structured environment.

The class is led by one certified teacher, who is responsible for the overall instruction, classroom management, and curriculum delivery tailored to meet the diverse needs of the students. The teacher is supported by two paraprofessional aides, who assist in providing individualized support, facilitating small group activities, and implementing behavior or learning plans for students with special needs.

The classroom environment is:

  • Inclusive and cooperative, fostering interaction between all students to build empathy, communication, and social skills.

  • Differentiated, with instruction and materials adapted to meet a range of learning styles and abilities.

  • Supportive, with visual aids, sensory tools, and structured routines to help students with special needs thrive alongside their peers.

Typical activities include whole-group lessons, small-group rotations, and peer-pairing opportunities that encourage collaboration and mutual learning. The goal is to create a nurturing space where every child, regardless of ability, feels valued and supported.

Inclusive Peer Pre-K Classrooms:

  • Students must be three years old on or before September 1, 2025, for the 3-year-old Pre-K program or four years old on or before September 1, 2025, for the 4-year-old Pre-K program.

  • Students must live within the city limits of the City of Decatur unless a parent or guardian is an employee of Decatur City Schools.

  • Students are chosen through a screening process by appointment.

  • If you are currently enrolled in your Inclusive Peer Program for 3-year-olds, you do not need to register for our Inclusive Peer Program for 4-year-olds.

Directions for registration:

  1. Be sure to gather and/or have available the following documents/forms:

    • Proof of Name and Age (ex., birth certificate)

    • Proof of address (in parent/legal guardian's name). You may follow this link for more information about the proof of address requirements.

      These documents can be:

      • uploaded as an attachment to the online application,

      • received at our Central Office by mail or in person (212 4th Avenue SE, Decatur, AL 35601)

      • as an attachment in an email to TPP@dcs.edu

  2. Once documents are verified and rendered complete, you will be notified by email to schedule your child’s screening appointment. Application and verification of all documents must be completed by March 3, 2025, to schedule a screening appointment.

  3. Initial screenings will be held on designated days between March 3-21, 2025.

  4. The Typical Peer Program will notify all applicants by email of acceptance or placement on the waitlist. Emails will be sent on April 4, 2025.

Registration Links

The 2025 online enrollment window will open from January 15 - March 3, 2025. 

Links to the online registration for Typical Peer Pre-K:

Spanish-speaking families may click here or call 256-308-2545 for translation help.

(Para ayuda en Español, familias hispanohablantes pueden llamar al 256-308-2545.)