Prekindergarten Programs Application:

Thank you for your interest in our prekindergarten programs. The prekindergarten program was developed in 1979 by the Maryland State Department of Education to meet the needs of low-income students who may not have the necessary readiness skills to be successful in school. Students are selected for prekindergarten based on the criteria and guidelines set by the Maryland State Department of Education and Calvert County Public Schools.

AGE LIMITATIONS:

• Children must be 4-years-old on or before September 1, 2024 to be considered for the 4 year-old Prekindergarten Programs.
• Children must be 3-years-old on or before September 1, 2024 to be considered for the 3 year-old Prekindergarten Programs.

Federal Poverty Guidelines are used for eligibility and placement. These guidelines change yearly and can be found HERE. Programs are funded through local funds, Blueprint funds, and Prekindergarten Expansion Grant funds. Income eligibility percentages are dictated by the program.

ELIGIBILITY:

Head Start

3-year-old Prekindergarten Programming is currently only offered through Head Start. The 3-year-old classroom-based programs are offered at Sunderland Elementary and Patuxent Appeal Campus. Head Start also offers 4-year-old Prekindergarten Programming at the following schools: Barstow Elementary, Sunderland Elementary, Patuxent Appeal Campus, and Windy Hill Elementary. Head Start is a federally funded program that considers families 130% or below of the Federal Poverty Level. More information can be found HERE.

Private Providers

Some 4-year-old Prekindergarten Programming is offered through Private Providers. Children must meet the criteria for Tier 1 to be considered for these programs.

Tier 1:

• Income for all household members is up to 300% of the FPL (Federal Poverty Level).
• Tier I qualified participants will attend a PreK program free of charge.

Tier 2 and Tier 3 families are not eligible. Currently, transportation to these programs is not provided. Please note that Private Providers are subject to change yearly.

CCPS 4-Year-Old Prekindergarten

Children must meet the criteria for Tier 1 to be considered for our prekindergarten programming. Children in Tier 2 and Tier 3 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Tier 1:

• Income for all household members is up to 300% of the FPL (Federal Poverty Level).
• Tier I qualified participants will attend a PreK program free of charge.

Tier 2:

• Annual income for all household members is 301-600% above the FPL (Federal Poverty Level).
• Tier 2 applicants will be waitlisted and considered after September 30th if vacancies remain. 

Tier 3:

• Annual income for all household members is 601% and above the FPL (Federal Poverty Level).
• Due to the number of available full day spots, CCPS does not anticipate being able to accommodate Tier 3 applicants. If a space can be offered, someone from the Department of Instruction will contact the applicant after September 30th.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Child must be a resident of Calvert County when applying.
• Only parents and legal guardians are allowed to submit applications. Proof of legal guardianship will be required before applications are reviewed.
• Families cannot register for school without a PreK acceptance letter.
• All prekindergarten programs follow the same Early Learning Standards regardless of funding method.
• Prekindergarten Income Eligibility Form
• 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines

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* If you have any questions regarding the prekindergarten application process or need technical support, please see below.