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McAllen ISD's pre-kindergarten program has been named one of the top ten programs in the state of Texas.

It's an honor McAllen ISD is more than happy to share as parents bring their kids in for registration.

It's summer now, but in about 3 weeks, McAllen schools will soon hear the pitter patter of little feet.

"They're really excited," said Rhoda Martinez.

Martinez is registering her two 4 year olds.

"This is really going to help them advance," said Martinez.

She said she speaks from experience because her daughter Robin went to Pre-K in McAllen school district.

"She's doing great," said Martinez.

She said Robin spoke a mixture of Spanish and English as she started Pre-K, and thanks to the district's bilingual program, her daughter has learned how to speak correct Spanish and English.

"It's wonderful because she can go to her grandmother and speak Spanish and then come over here and speak wonderful English," said Martinez.

She said she hopes her sons can now benefit from the program.

School officials said they've been named among the state's top 10 Pre-K programs partly because of the bilingual program, and also because of the 2 grants that they received to build their Pre-K program.

One of the grants is the Language English Proficiency Grant and the other is the Early Start Grant.

To be eligible for enrollment in a PK class the child must meet one of the following criteria:
1. unable to speak and comprehend the English language; or 2. Educationally disadvantaged (eligible to participate in the Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program); or 3. homeless; or 4. the child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserved component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority; or 5. the child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserved component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty; or 6. the child is or ever has been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following and adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code.

For more information on McAllen ISD visit.