Preschool Enrollment
The South Orange & Maplewood School District uses a lottery system to place eligible preschool applicants into available seats. Only families who have fully completed both steps of the enrollment process are eligible to participate. Enrollment is not considered complete until an online application has been submitted and all required documents have been received.
Once a family’s application is processed, the Office of Registration will send a confirmation email verifying eligibility for the lottery. These confirmations are sent on a rolling basis during the enrollment period and shortly after the yearly deadline. Please note that the Preschool Department does not confirm enrollment status in the school district.
It is essential that families provide a valid email address when completing the online registration form. Email is the sole method of communication that the Preschool Department can then share updates regarding acceptance and placement.
The date of the preschool lottery will be posted on the District’s website under the Preschool Department tab once it is confirmed. Families selected for placement in the preschool program will receive an email notification with their child’s school assignment.
Please review the SOMSD Preschool FAQs for additional questions regarding the lottery process.
Enrollment and Placement Guidelines
- Eligible students will be enrolling for an opportunity to attend the Universal Preschool Program with placement at various sites throughout the District
- 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.