Pre-Kindergarten

To enroll your student for NEXT school year (beginning August 2022): English Enrollment | Spanish Enrollment

Applying for FCPS public prekindergarten program, regardless of the time of year, DOES NOT automatically guarantee enrollment. Every attempt is made to provide space for as many children as possible, but because of funding restrictions, spaces are limited. In order for your application to be considered, all appropriate information must be completed and accompanied by ALL required documentation. Incomplete applications will not be processed and may affect your child’s placement.

The FCPS Pre-Kindergarten program is a state-funded program for four-year olds who meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Child must be four years old on or before September 1st of the current school year
  • Child must reside in Frederick County
  • Children whose families qualify up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Limit (new)

Is Pre-Kindergarten Mandatory?

No, pre-kindergarten is not a mandatory program for all students in Maryland. Because of this, pre-kindergarten is not available in every Frederick County elementary school. Elementary schools without a pre-kindergarten program are paired with a nearby school that offers a pre-kindergarten program. See Paired School List.

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

Lottery applications - opens February 15, 2022

The Inclusion Pre-K Program is funded via the Special Education Department and is separate from the Traditional Pre-K Program offered by the Early Childhood Office.

The Inclusion Pre-K Program is designed to meet the needs of students with specialized instructional requirements as outlined via their Individual Education Program (IEP) as determined via the IEP/Child Find process. The Inclusion Pre-K program  delivers the general education curriculum as based on FCPS curricula/ College and Career Readiness Standards with an emphasis on social and communication-based skills.

Those applying for the Inclusion Pre-K Peer Lottery are intended to be a social and communication role-model. The Inclusion Pre-K Peer Lottery is a non-entitlement program meaning that all students have equal opportunity for selection in a random lottery-based process. Inclusion Pre-K Peer seats are available for 3 and 4-year old students.

Students must be 3 or 4 by September 1st. There are no exceptions to this rule. Applying for a student to participate as a peer role model in this program does not guarantee enrollment. Parents must provide their own transportation to and from school.

Inclusive Pre-Kindergarten Application- English
Inclusive Pre-Kindergarten Application - Spanish

Pre-Kindergarten Application Process

Families will receive notification of Pre-K acceptance beginning in late May. Please understand this timeline allows for FCPS to provide full day Pre-K seats to as many children as possible. We appreciate your patience in this process.

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 all paperwork directly to your child’s home school or paired school where the Pre-K program is located by email, mail or contacting the school directly.

Household Income Verification - To Be Considered for Placement in Prekindergarten

Total Household Gross Income must be verified to qualify for 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) Current letter of Verification; 
  • Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Current letter of Verification; 
  • Three recent consecutive pay stubs from employer(s);  
  • W-2 form(s) from last year from employer(s) 
  • 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.

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 sandy.truax@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.

Unified Preschool

The Unified Preschool Program is funded via the Special Education Department and is separate from the Traditional and Inclusion Pre-K Programs offered by FCPS. The Unified Preschool program is designed to meet the needs of students with an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) requiring a highly structured setting focused on alternative ways to access the general education curriculum. Those applying to fulfill the seat of a Role Model are agreeing to be a social and communication example for students with specialized needs. The Unified Preschool Program has the mission of instilling life-long goals for inclusivity, friendship, and understanding.
 
The Unified Preschool Program is a full-day program which is offered at Butterfly Ridge Elementary for students who are 4 by September 1st. The program will operate with open-boundaries meaning all Frederick County residents may apply regardless of home-school location.  
 
The Unified Preschool Program is a non-entitlement program. All students are welcome to complete an application. Role Models are selected via an application and interview process. Please note: Applying for a student to participate as a Role Model in this program does not guarantee selection.

Parents must provide their own transportation to and from school.

For additional information, please contact Lauren Perry at lauren.perry@fcps.org.

Resources

ECE logo

Main Number: 240-236-5ECE

Contacts

Sandy Truax
Administrative Assistant
(240) 236-8835
sandra.truax@fcps.org

Sheila Kahler
ECE Grant Manager
(301) 696-6864
Fax 301-644-4139
sheila.kahler@fcps.org

Christy Donnelly
Teacher Specialist for Early Childhood Education
(301) 644-5253
christy.donnelly@fcps.org

Kelly Robbins
Teacher Specialist for Early Childhood Education
(301) 644-5331
kelly.robbins@fcps.org

Leslie Frei
Supervisor of Early Childhood Education and Judy Centers
(301) 696-6914
leslie.frei@fcps.org

Kathleen Allen
Coordinator for Early Childhood Education & Judy Centers
(301) 696-6809
kathleen.allen@fcps.org