Preschool Enrollment and Lottery
2026-2027 Preschool Program Lottery Now Open
The South Orange & Maplewood School District is now accepting entries for the 2026-2027 Preschool Program lottery. Our preschool program provides a strong foundation for our youngest learners, and eligible families are encouraged to enter.
How to Enter
Families must complete a short online lottery entry form during the open submission window.
Lottery Entry Period:
Friday, January 23, 2026 – Friday, March 13, 2026
Preschool Lottery Entry
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.
Questions may be directed to the Registration Office at (973) 762-5600, ext. 1830 or at registration@somsd.k12.nj.us
South Orange & Maplewood School District Administration
About the Lottery
2026-2027 Preschool Program Lottery Entry Forms - click on your home language below:
2026-2027 Preschool Lottery Entry Form - English
Fòm Antre Lotri Preskolè 2026-2027 - Kreyòl ayisyen
Formulario de inscripción para el sorteo Preescolar 2026-2027 - Español
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM LOTTERY ENTRY FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 3PM ON MARCH 13, 2026.
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.