Pre-Kindergarten

The Carroll County Public Schools' Pre-Kindergarten Program is a state-mandated early intervention program for 4-year-olds who meet the eligibility requirements. The main goal of Pre-Kindergarten in public schools is to provide learning experiences to support the development of young children so that they may be fully ready to learn when they enter Kindergarten and are more likely to do well in school.  These experiences focus on personal and social development, language and literacy, scientific thinking, mathematical thinking, social studies, fine arts, physical development, and health education.

Children who are residents of Carroll County

·        Children who are 4-years-old on or before September 1 of the year in which the child applies

·        Children who qualify under the Federal Poverty Level guidelines

·        Children who are homeless or in foster care

According to COMAR 13A.06.02.03B., if all vacancies have not been filled by children meeting the eligibility criteria, Carroll County Public Schools may enroll 4-year-old children who are not from families with economically disadvantaged backgrounds but who represent a student population that exhibits a lack of readiness in personal and social development, language and literacy, mathematical thinking, scientific thinking, social studies, the arts, or physical development and health.   

Parents who are interested in having his/her child considered for Pre-Kindergarten eligibility must complete an Application.

During the months of April - June completed applications which have been submitted will be reviewed centrally to determine a child's eligibility based on criteria. 

Families will be notified of their child's eligibility.  Once approved, the school's registrar will contact the family to enroll their child into Pre-Kindergarten.  Each site may enroll up to 20 students per class and is staffed with a qualified teacher and instructional assistant.

   One Home or Child Care address must be used to identify a child’s Pre-Kindergarten program.

·        Transportation is provided to most students, but is not guaranteed.

Completed applications and documentation is reviewed to determine eligibility based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines.  Enrollment into Prekindergarten is based on eligibility for enrollment.  Tier I eligibility includes any Carroll County resident who turns four on or before Sept 1^st and whose household income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level guideline, is experiencing homelessness and/or in foster care.  Should one of these eligibility requirements be met, then a school registrar will proceed with enrolling your child into Prekindergarten.  In accordance with Pillar I under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, local school systems must offer enrollment into Prekindergarten for all Tier I eligible four-year-olds based on parent interest.  Should a Prekindergarten spot no longer be available at your child’s home school an alternative location will be identified for enrollment purposes. 

Four-year-olds who do not meet age, residency and Tier I eligibility are place on a waitlist for Prekindergarten. 

When space is available, the local school system may enroll additional four-year-olds, prioritizing children who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) and those who are an English Language Learner. 

Due to limited availability, families of children placed on the wait list are encouraged to consider community-based options as part of the mixed-delivery system between public and private Prekindergarten providers.