Pre-K Information, Lottery, and Waitlist
2026-2027 Preschool Program Lottery Entry Window is Now Closed
The South Orange & Maplewood School District is no longer accepting entries for the 2026-2027 Preschool Program lottery.
Families who miss the lottery entry form submission deadline of March 13, 2026, or who move into South Orange or Maplewood after the lottery has taken place, may still submit a preschool waitlist form to be placed on the waiting list. However, please note the following:
- Placement will only be considered after all students from the original lottery, including those on the waitlist, have been placed.
- Late submissions received after the deadline will be automatically added to the waitlist on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.
- Students submitted after the deadline will be offered placement only if space becomes available.
How to Join the Waitlist
Families must complete the short online waitlist form.
Waitlist Begins:
Friday, March 13, 2026 - 3:01PM
If interested in joining the waitlist please complete one(1) form below in your home language.
Selection and Notification
After the entry period closes, the district will conduct a formal lottery. Families will be notified by email in the spring.
- Selected Students: Families will receive a preschool placement offer.
- Waitlist: Families not selected will be placed on the district waitlist for future openings.
Next Steps for Selected Families
Families offered placement will have approximately four weeks to submit required registration documents so the district can prepare for the new school year.
South Orange & Maplewood School District Administration
Preschool Placement Process Projected Timeline
(2026 - 2027 SY)
The South Orange and Maplewood School District is currently on track with the following projected timeline. Please note that the distribution of placement letters depends on final approval of the preschool budget, so some dates may be subject to change.
-
Lottery Form Opens: January 23 - March 13, 2026
Families can submit a Preschool Lottery Entry Form during this period to enter the Pre-K lottery. -
Lottery Conducted: April 13, 2026
The lottery will determine placement priority for applicants. Results will be posted on the district's website shortly afterward. -
Placement Letters Distributed:
May 22, 2026May 4, 2026
Families will receive official placement letters confirming their child's Pre-K assignment or current status. -
Enrollment Opens:
May 22, 2026May 5, 2026
Families offered placement through the lottery can officially enroll their children by completing the registration process. -
Districtwide Pre-K Open House: June 10, 2026
Newly enrolled families will receive information from their child's new school and have an opportunity to visit before the end of the current school year. -
Enrollment Closes:
June 30, 2026June 5, 2026
All enrollment forms must be submitted by this date to secure your child's placement.
About the Lottery
The South Orange & Maplewood School District uses a lottery system to place eligible preschool applicants into available seats.
Families interested in the District’s preschool program must complete and submit an online lottery entry form by the posted deadline. (Failure to complete this form prior to the deadline will result in your child being ineligible for the lottery, which determines participation in the initial placement process.)
The District’s preschool program lottery is held in the spring. Families will receive an email with their acceptance status. Applicants who are not selected will automatically be placed on the waitlist.
Families who receive a placement offer will have three to four weeks to complete the District’s required two-step enrollment process by the specified deadline. Completing the enrollment process by the deadline confirms acceptance of the preschool placement. Families who do not complete enrollment by the deadline will automatically forfeit their child’s seat.
Please review the SOMSD Preschool FAQs for additional questions regarding the lottery process.
Enrollment and Placement Guidelines
- Enrollment (registration) takes place AFTER a student is selected for an available seat in the preschool program through the lottery process
- Once families are notified that they have been selected, they will have three to four weeks complete the District's two-step enrollment process by the specified deadline
- Families who do not complete the enrollment process by the deadline will automatically forfeit their child's seat in the preschool program
- Placement will be based on the availability of seats (a lottery will be held if the number of applicants exceeds the number of available seats)
- Waitlisted students will be placed as seats become available
Resources:
- Preschool Education Program Website
- Preschool Program FAQs
- Pre-K Curriculum: Tools of the Mind (TOM)
- IEP Information: Preschool students with an IEP from a previous District; please email the Registration Office directly for additional instructions.