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Pre-Kindergarten Information

Pre-K Program Options and Qualifications:  

Frederick County Public Schools is committed to providing a variety of early childhood programs based on the diverse needs of our families and students. 

FCPS is proud to offer the following programs for Four Year Old Pre-K Students:

Traditional Pre-K: This program is intended for students who are four by September 1st. This is a full-day general education program based on income eligibility requirements. Class sizes are approximately 20 students. Transportation is provided for those attending their residential school (school location by address).

Innovative Pre-K: This program is intended for students who are four by September 1st. This is a full-day general education program based on income eligibility requirements. Class sizes are approximately 20 students. This program is unique in the fact that it is offered at the feeder high school location and works in conjunction with the high school Child Development course. Students gather as a class at their enrolled elementary school and are then bussed to their partner high school site. Students are returned to their enrolled elementary school for dismissal.


Inclusion Pre-K (four year olds): This program is intended for students who are four by September 1st. This is a full-day inclusive preschool education program where half the student population has an identified disability and half of the student population is selected to serve as a peer role model. Students are placed via an IEP Meeting (students with specialized needs) or via income eligibility requirements. Class sizes are approximately 14 students. Transportation is provided for those attending their residential school (school location by address) and those requiring specialized transportation per their IEP. 

For Additional information regarding transportation, please see FCPS Policy 441 

The FCPS Pre-Kindergarten programs are state-funded programs for children 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)

 

FCPS is proud to offer the following programs for Three Year Old Pre-K Students:

Inclusion Pre-K (three year olds): This program is intended for students who are three by September 1st. This is a half-day inclusive preschool education program where half the student population has an identified disability and half of the student population is selected to serve as a peer role model. Students are placed via an IEP Meeting (students with specialized needs) or via income eligibility requirements. Students attend Monday-Friday  for 2.5 hour class sessions. There are no classes on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month for all 3 year old students. Class sizes are approximately 14 students. Transportation is provided by families and those requiring specialized transportation per their IEP. There are no options for bus transportation for peers. 

The FCPS Pre-Kindergarten programs are state-funded programs for children who meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Child must be three 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 Guideline (new)

Additional Four and  Three Year Old Pre-K Program Options:  

Additional state funded Pre-K seats for 3 and 4-year-olds are available at The Learning Bee. Contact them for more information: https://thelearningbee.com/

Do All Elementary Schools Host a Pre-K Program?

Since Pre-K is not a mandatory grade level for all students in Maryland, the program is not available in every Frederick County elementary school. Elementary schools without a Pre-K  program are paired with a nearby school that offers a program. See Paired School List.

If you are unsure of your child's home school, you may locate your child’s home school using the boundary map, or contact Student Services at (240) 236-5ECE. (240-236-5323)

What are the Qualifications for Acceptance into a  Pre-K Program?

By definition, Pre-K Programs are designed to serve students who meet income eligibility requirements and/or qualify for classroom special education services based upon their IEP. The following chart is used to determine eligibility for the various Pre-K programs within FCPS. Please note: income verification is required and verified before seats are awarded.

        

Flowchart:

  • All students who are three or four years old by September 1st are eligible to apply to Pre-K Programs within FCPS. Please note: application submissions do not equate to acceptance.
  • Families applying for Pre-K must provide annual income verification, proof of residency, and birth date verification documents. If these are not submitted, an application will not be considered.
  • Centralized Enrollment Specialists will use the Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine Pre-K Eligibility
    • Students falling between 0-300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for Pre-K Programs. Income reporting will be verified.
    • Students falling between 301-600% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may apply to Pre-K Programs to be placed on a waiting list. Spaces not filled by income-eligible students will be filled by waiting list candidates between September 1st & October 1st.  Income reporting will continue to be verified.

Pre-K Application Process

All applications will be processed centrally via the Early Childhood Education Office. For families meeting eligibility criteria, notification of Pre-K acceptance will begin in May. Those not meeting eligibility criteria will be considered for possible vacancies based upon income eligibility requirements. Applications will be considered based upon Tiered Eligibility using the following timelines:

 

Tier 1: Acceptance upon Eligibility Confirmation

  • Students from families earning up to 300% FPL

Tier 2: Consideration between September 1st- October 1st, pending space

  • Students from families earning between 300-600% FPL 

Tier 3: Consideration after October 1st, pending space

  • Students from families earning above 600% FPL

Please understand this timeline allows for FCPS to provide full day Pre-K seats to as many children meeting income eligibility as possible. We appreciate your patience in this process.

You may apply for Pre-K by using the secure online enrollment portal. Please Note: Income documentation, proof of residency, and proof of birth date is required to be considered for Pre-K eligibility. Applications without this documentation will not be considered.

The online student enrollment system will open in April 2023.  To apply online, please click here for English, or click here for Spanish. (this will need to be updated with new link)

The required enrollment documentation to include income verification document, proof of residency, and proof of birth date may be easily uploaded as part of the online enrollment process. Please do not submit until all documents have been included in your application as you will not be able to edit once submitting the online application. 

Required Documentation for Pre-K Applications:

  • Total Household Gross Income must be verified to qualify for placement within a Pre-K program. 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.
    • Please note: a Household Member includes anyone who is living with you and shares income and expenses, even if not related.

 

  • Immunization and health records, provide BOTH of the following:
  • Proof of date of birth (provide one of these: Birth certificate, physician's certificate, hospital certificate, baptismal or church certificate, parent's affidavit, or passport/visa)
  • Proof of residency (provide one of these: current property tax bill, current rental bill, current utility bill for water, gas, or electric)
  • Parent photo identification

If you are unable to apply for Pre-K using our online portal, you may download an official FCPS Enrollment Form and return via  US Mail to the Early Childhood Office located  at 191 S. East Street Frederick, Md 21701. Please ensure your submission includes all income eligibility, proof of residency, and proof of birth date documentation.  Documents pay also be dropped off at the front desk of the above Central Office address or emailed to PreKEnrollment@fcps.org

 Enrollment Form Template: English | Spanish.

Often a parent/guardian and child do not own or rent the home in which they live.  If this is your case, then the person who actually owns or rents the home must provide the same proof of residency as listed above (current property tax bill, current rental bill, current utility bill) and must complete and have notarized the FCPS Parent Residence Affidavit Multi-Family form.

FCPS Regulation 400-7 provides further information about enrolling a student. You may also contact Student Support Services.

FCPS also has an International Office to help non-English speaking families.

Pre-Kindergarten Out of District Requests

  • If you wish to apply for a location which is not your home school location (school based on your address), please submit a Pre-K Out of District Request
  • Pre-kindergarten Out of District Form: English / Spanish
  • Completed Pre-K Out of District Forms should be emailed to sandra.truax@fcps.org,  or mailed to: Office of Early Childhood, 191 S East Street, 3rd Floor, Frederick, MD 21701.
  • In mid-August, pre-kindergarten enrollment numbers and space availability will be reviewed to determine if Out of District Requests can be considered. Those meeting income eligibility requirements will continue to have priority for this possibility. 
  • The home school or paired school will notify the family if their Out of District request was approved.  If approved, the family is responsible for transportation of their child to the Out of District school.

Important Note: 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. 

Resources

  • 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.
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