Executive Office on Early Learning (EOEL)
Public Pre-Kindergarten Program
Give your keiki a great foundation to grow from
Photo credit: Image from rawpixel.com.Welcome!
Apply your child to a pre-Kindergarten program at a participating DOE school.
Please submit one application for each child.
Application Process
Here's what you can expect when applying.
3. Schools review* all applications
*Reviews occur at the end of the school year and during the summer.
EOEL Mission
To foster each child’s optimal growth and learning in all developmental domains and across academic disciplines through high-quality early childhood experiences by providing a safe, caring, equitable environment where children, families, and colleagues learn together through trusting reciprocal relationships.
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Common Questions
For a list of participating schools, visit EOEL Public PreKindergarten Program website.
Children must be age 3 or 4 on or before July 31 of the school year applying to. For school year 2024–2025, children born on or between August 1, 2019 – July 31, 2021 are eligible.
In addition to the age requirement, priority is provided to children whose situations include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:
- Children who are eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and whose Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is determined as general education;
- Children who are English as a second language learners;
- Children in foster care;
- Children who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing;
- Families with Gross Family Income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines OR who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
- Children who are experiencing at-risk situations which may impact their learning and development.
Yes, submit one online application per child. For each application, you can choose more than one school.
For a complete list of participating schools, read more on the EOEL Public PreKindergarten Program website.
Applications open on March 1 for the upcoming school year.
For the upcoming school year:
Between March 1 – June 30, enrollment is awarded to students in the priority categories and applying within the home school geographic region.
Between March 1 – June 30, enrollment is awarded to students in the priority categories and applying within the home school geographic region.
Between July 1 – September 30, enrollment (pending availability) is awarded to students in the priority categories and residing outside of the school geographic region.
Between October 1 – the end of the school year, enrollment (pending availability) is awarded to applicants on a first-come-first-served basis.