HOUSTON – Parents camped outside for more than 27 hours, hoping to get their children into Barbara Bush Elementary School's pre-kindergarten program on Monday morning.
One mother said the line began forming outside the elementary school at 4:30 a.m. Sunday.
Parents set up tents, cots and chairs along the side of the school building. Some played cards to pass the time and others simply tried to get some sleep.
Naser Kashkooli said he knows firsthand how competitive the registration process can be.
"I have two daughters: one is 6 years old and one is 4," Kashkooli said. Two years ago, he tried to register his older daughter in the pre-kindergarten program and showed up at the school around 4 a.m. Monday.
"I was in line all the way to number 75," Kashkooli said. "I missed it. So this year, basically, I learned my lesson."
There are only 44 spots available in the pre-kindergarten program for the 2015-16 school year, and registration is first come, first served. The children who are accepted into one of the two pre-kindergarten classes must meet certain requirements. They must qualify as an ESL student, qualify for free or reduced lunch or have a parent in the military.
Kashkooli said that when he first arrived at the school, he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to register his youngest daughter either.
"When I got here, I was, again, all the way at the back, but, you know, I'm lucky," Kashkooli said.
This time, he was number 41 in line, just three spots away from the cutoff.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. Monday and goes until 10 a.m.