If you are unsure of your child's home school, you can look at the boundary maps or contact Student Services at (301) 644-5238.

Inclusive Pre-Kindergarten

Frederick County Public Schools offers unique pre-kindergarten educational program. The  Inclusive Pre-K program is in addition to, and different from our regular pre-kindergarten class. These classes are available at 15 FCPS locations and educate all students using pre-academic standards with an emphasis on social emotional skills and communication. Participation in this program is based on a random peer lottery.

Inclusive Pre-K Classrooms are available for 3 and 4-year old students who will attend ½ day sessions. Students must be 3 or 4 by September 1st.  Applying for a student to participate as a peer in this program does not guarantee enrollment and students must reapply every year. Parents must provide transportation to and from school and may apply to any location, regardless of home school location. The application process is now open and students will be selected via a lottery process. All applications must be submitted to Lauren Perry for consideration for the peer lottery.

• Inclusive Pre-Kindergarten Program Information and Application

Pre-Kindergarten Application Process

FCPS has moved to an online enrollment secured portal (English / Spanish) to begin the pre-registration process for PK students. When the home school or paired school (See Paired School List) receives your online application, the school enrollment secretary will contact you for any additional information and/or documentation needed to process your application. Note: Income documentation is still required to be considered for Automatic Placement into Pre-K. Additional information will also be required to qualify for High Priority status and Low Priority status.

If you prefer to complete a paper FCPS Enrollment Form and the PK Application, you can download the documents here or contact the home or paired school. Submit paperwork directly to the home or paired school by mail, email or fax.

• Enrollment Form / Formulario de inscripción
• Pre-K Application (English)
• Pre-K Application (Spanish)
• Copy of your child’s birth certificate
• Current Immunization Records
• Proof of residence in Frederick County – please provide one of the following:
  • Current utility bill (electric/water/gas)
  • Tax bill (homeowner)
  • Signed lease agreement (renter)
  • Not Accepted: phone bills, cable bills, or driver's license

Household Income Verification - To Be Considered for Automatic Placement

If you think you qualify under the Free and Reduced-Price Meal (FARM) income guidelines, total Household Gross Income must be verified to qualify for Automatic Placement in pre-kindergarten.  Household Gross Income MUST be documented by providing one of the following for EACH Household Member receiving income: 

• Food Supplemental Program (FSP) Letter of Verification
• Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Letter of Verification
• Three consecutive paystubs within the past six months for each job
• W-2 form(s) from  last year for each job or Federal Tax Return
• Other:  Schedule C/1099 (if self-employed), a letter on letterhead from your employer(s) stating your income, child support and court order or letter, unemployment, disability income, etc.

Household Member - Anyone who is living with you and shares income and expenses, even if not related.

Priority for Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment

Priority Level is determined by the home school or paired school.

Automatically Accepted – Free and Reduced-Price Meal (FARM) income guidelines, Homeless, Foster Care

High Priority for Acceptance – Documented Disability, English Language Learners (ELL)

• If your child has a documented disability, please provide a current Individual Education Plan (IEP) form.

Low Priority for Acceptance – Other risk factors for school readiness

Other Priority

Note: At this time, families that qualify for automatic placement are placed first into Pre-K, all other priority levels are on the waitlist until mid-August. At that time, ECE Office will review enrollment and space availability to see if the next priority level (High Priority) can be considered for placement into Pre-K.

Pre-Kindergarten Bus Transportation

When children reside outside of their regular school attendance area (paired school situation), parents are responsible for transporting their child.

See FCPS Policy 441 for details.

Pre-Kindergarten Out of District Requests

• Pre-kindergarten Out of District Form: English / Spanish
• Complete the Pre-K Out of District Form and email to sheila.kahler@fcps.org or mail to: Office of Early Childhood, 191 S East Street, 3rd Floor, Frederick, MD 21701.
• Office of Early Childhood will contact the home school or paired school to verify a Pre-k application was received and to verify the priority level.
• In mid-August, pre-kindergarten enrollment numbers and space availability will be reviewed to determine if Out of District Requests can be considered; Automatics are given first priority. 
• The home school or paired school will notify the family if their Out of District request was approved or declined.  If approved, the family is responsible for transportation of their child to the Out of District school.

Resources

• Regulation 400-91- Prekindergarten Enrollment
• Regulation 500-10 Placement and Promotion of Students
• Policy 430 Age Requirements
• Maryland State Department of Education Division of Early Childhood Development - Families
• Developmental Milestones (for children 2 months to five years)
• Fitting the Pieces Together: Parent Information Guide in English for Pre-Kindergarten
• Fitting the Pieces Together: Parent Information Guide in Spanish for Pre-Kindergarten
• Ready @ Five - Parent tips, parent-child activities, school readiness resources, and other information is included in this site to support families in promoting school readiness.
• ReadyRosie - This is a FREE app for families with children from birth to 5 years old living in Frederick County. Sign up is easy and each week you will receive by text or email, brief videos modeling activities you can do with your child to encourage school readiness.